ATM are a Tier One contractor for the Environment Agency (EA) on six regional five-year Flood and Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) Frameworks across the UK. Our involvement on the framework commenced in 2010 and continues to this day. We have successfully delivered a wide range of services including:

• All aspects of watercourse and channel maintenance, preventative and reactive.

• All aspects of watercourse and channel maintenance, preventative and reactive.

• Cyclical and reactive maintenance to drainage courses and watercourses, silt removal, vegetation removal, clearing of grates, chambers, trash screens, outfalls. Cutting of vegetation to riverbanks, flood defence works, built channels / drainage features.

• Ecological surveys and the provision of ecological supervision / monitoring of ongoing works.

We supported the Project targets with community engagement and social value including supply/planting of trees to a local grass roots football team, provision of nature areas for local schools, and grounds maintenance for local charities. In summary the PM stated we “worked collaboratively to ensure the success of the project as well as giving back to the community. As a valued partner we look forward to working with them again in future.”

• Surveys including the preparation and submission of survey reports and budget spend reports for remedial and planned works.

• Derived works include fencing, newt fencing.

Challenges and Solutions

ATM are responsible for clearance works to remove moss, algae, weed growth and silt from in channel as well as weirs, flumes and fish passes. To reduce the potential for oil spills, electric hand tools are also preferred.

Great care is taken to prevent any debris entering the water channel, and if required, debris is removed from channel. Weirs and flume throats are only be accessed from the downstream side to minimise the risk and impact of slips, trips, and falls.

Where accessing weirs and flumes directly is unavoidable, competent Operatives utilise a 1x point harness and fixed length lanyard to secure their work positions.

We are also responsible for the cleaning of technical equipment such as webcams and gauging boards will be cleaned as and when indicated in the master program. Equipment will be cleaned manually using a damp cloth.

Ecological Considerations

All operatives received a toolbox talks for ecological considerations such as invasive weeds, ground nesting birds / ducks and water voles.