The Itchen Navigation bank at Brambridge was particularly vulnerable to collapse because the Navigation flows right alongside the main River Itchen and the narrow bank separating the two was being eroded from both sides. Large trees and there roots were causing further damage to the embankment and posing a risk to the public. In addition heavy shading from trees was preventing the growth of aquatic vegetation, reducing the amount of habitat and exposing the banks to further erosion.
Due to the weak state of the bank, and difficulties with access most of the materials had to be moved to the site using a barge; this was the first time a barge had been used on the Navigation in 140 years. The bank repairs took almost three months to complete. Large fallen trees with their roots exposed were removed from the bank and a large proportion of the the bank was reinstated with chalk to stop it from collapsing.
150 meters of oak post and plank revetment was installed to prevent further erosion and undercutting of the banks in two high risk areas of the stretch. The whole stretch was also faggoted in order to narrow the width of the channel and provide an area which was planted with local provenance vegetation to provide a habitat for wildlife such as water voles, dragonflies and moorhens. In addition a new footpath has been laid on top of the embankment, giving walkers a smooth surface to stroll along and view this fantastic habitat.
As with the other reaches of the navigation that Aquamaintain have repaired, a dog fence was installed to prevent access to the waters edge where repairs have been made, in an effort to give the vegetation a chance to develop.
