Slope Protection
2022
Bransford, Worcestershire
Network Rail
Crown Services Ltd
Maccaferri
EROSION CONTROL AGAINST MAMMAL BURROWING
Problem
Network Rail was undertaking planned maintenance of the rail embankment on the westbound Worcester to Hereford line running to the west of Bransford Court Lane in Bransford, Worcestershire. The work involved devegetating the embankment and then installing measures to prevent rabbits, badgers and other larger burrowing animals from accessing the embankment soil and burrowing into the core of the embankment thereby undermining its structural integrity. Stormwater run-off can enter the core of the embankments through these animal burrows, weakening it.
A robust, yet ecologically friendly anti-burrowing system was required to prevent this problem from occurring, whilst also allowing vegetation to be incorporated and retained within the embankment slopes.
Solution
Maccaferri was approached by contractors Crown Services Ltd and asked for advise on a suitable steel wire mesh system that could provide the required surface protection from burrowing animals. This would then be installed as part of the maintenance works once the devegetating of the embankment slope had been completed. Maccaferri proposed the use of an anti-burrowing DT Mesh for this application.
Maccaferri Anti-Burrowing DT Mesh has been proven to be a strong deterrent to burrowing animals. Unlike any plastic ‘geogrid’ style or thin wire “rabbit” netting, Maccaferri Anti Burrowing DT Mesh can prevent not only rabbits but also larger animals such as badgers and beavers from burrowing into the embankment. Our RenoMesh Anti-Burrowing Mesh is the result of research and provides environmentally friendly active protection against large rodents. Its mesh apertures were selected also to limit juvenile burrowing mammals.
Maccaferri supplied 3,200m2 of Anti Burrowing DT Mesh to Crown Services Ltd, which installed the mesh in July 2022. The nature of the double twist mesh means that it can be locally cut to allow openings for mature trees or shrubs and then be laced together again without any tangible loss in performance.