Innovative solution to remove scaffold from the River Cocker
In a remarkable display of creativity and teamwork, a challenging situation by the River Cocker was resolved in record time.
An unoccupied building, already suffering from water damage, had been further compromised during a storm in October 2023 causing part of the building to collapse into the river. During a subsequent heavy rainfall event in the summer of 2024 the high river levels caused the scaffolding attached to the building to fall into the river, creating an increased risk of blockage and potential flooding to properties.
When the Environment Agency’s operations team reached out for help, VolkerStevin stepped in under the CDF’s emergency works division to remove the hazardous scaffolding so safe river flows could be maintained. However, this wasn’t a straightforward task. The collapsed building created a dangerous zone within the area of the collapse, and with the potential for further collapse, the challenge was clear: how could the scaffold be removed without putting anyone at risk from the unstable structure?
The team approached this unique problem with a fresh perspective. A drone with a fishing line attached to it was flown from the right bank through the scaffolding and back to the right bank creating a loop. This was then attached to a rope to pull through the scaffolding and the rope in turn pulled through straps The straps were then attached to the long reach excavator to pull the scaffolding across the river until the excavator could grab hold of the scaffold and lift it out of the river.
“I am extremely proud of the team for successfully completing this complex and challenging task, their creativity and teamwork were exceptional. “The entire operation was completed in just one day—well ahead of the winter storms. Not only was the risk of flooding significantly reduced, but the team was able to complete the task while remaining safely at a distance from the unstable building.”
Julian Wilson VolkerStevin contracts director
Adrian Bacon, Environment Agency Flood Risk Advisor said: “Thanks to Volkerstevin’s creative solution, we were able to remove the scaffold from the river channel and reduce the flood risk to Cockermouth without putting any operatives at risk from the collapsed building.”
