News

We believe that innovation and success are borne out of great relationships and working together in an open, honest and transparent manner. We hope that by sharing our news we will develop and grow our relationship with you and offer added value by sharing our experience and learning.

Our news is of our people, our high-profile projects and our professional affiliations. We would also love to interact with you through our facebook pages and twitter. We are particularly proud of the images of our projects, we hope you enjoy them too.

15th December 2017

Tortworth Lake Restoration

The valley was dammed to the north of Tortworth Court to produce the lake and the slopes around the lake were planted with trees over 150 years ago. Used during World War II in the winter of 1943/44 as a test site for amphibious vehicles to be used in the 'D' day invasions, it is wonderful to see restoration of this most important heritage asset. Removal of silt and the re-profiling of the watercourses and lake island will ensure that the lake remains in good order for years to come.

Works on the inflow and outflow end of a popular fishing attraction and historic lake dating back to the 1850s will improve water quality and biodiversity.

14th November 2017

Working with the Hippos

Working closely with the Longleat Estate team, WM Longreach have begun a massive dredging project to clean up the silt from this amazing wildlife haven. Over 65000 tonnes of silt is to be removed with the hippos, sealions, the trip boats and ‘Nico’ (the world famous silverback gorilla) all carry on as usual. The silt is being pumped almost 2 kilometres to a temporary holding lake, with the excavation using a long reach excavator mounted on a floating pontoon.

Claimed to be the most biodiverse lake in England, the Half Mile lake at Longleat is being restored.

17th October 2017

Improving Fish Migration

Works for the Severn Rivers Trust included the creation of a notch in the top of a concrete weir to improve passage for fish migration and bank modifications to improve flood capacity and reduce erosion. The company used a small 12m long reach excavator fitted with an adjustable boom ideally suited for working under the overhanging trees where movement and access was constrained. Close working with the landowner ensured a safe and successful delivery.

WM Longreach have been carrying out weir modifications on the River Stour to improve fish migration.

10th September 2017

Highfields Park Nottingham

The Grade II Listed Highfields Park was opened in 1923 by businessman and philanthropist Sir Jesse Boot and was one of the first manmade, large-scale parks of the 20th century. This year has seen a major step forward with the LEP with its delivery partners including Nottingham City Council, Heritage Lottery Fund, Carillion Construction and the Environment Agency commencing the restoration works. The lake restoration at Highfields Park involves the removal of around 6000 tonnes of silt. Due to silt contamination and space restrictions on site for silt storage, an innovative methodology has been devised. Using a specialist long reach excavator to dredge from a floating pontoon, the silt is screened and loaded into a custom built hopper and pumped into custom made geotextile storage tubes. The wet silt is safely stored during a period of drying out with water draining back to the lake through drain off pipes.

After years in the planning WM Longreach have begun restoration of the Highfields Park Lake, part of the £4.8 million Heritage Lottery funded project to restore the historic park in Nottingham.

10th July 2017

Cockington Lakes Wins ICE Community Award

WM Longreach attended the South West ICE Awards 2017 in Bristol this month with clients Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust (Access Officer Hannah Worthington left & Director Damian Offer right). The ICE South West Civil Engineering Awards celebrate outstanding civil engineering achievement, innovation and ingenuity around the South West. WM Longreach shortlisted as one of 12 projects across the region won the ‘Community Award.’ The Community Award recognises projects that improve public space, infrastructure and enhance the living and working environment for the local community. The Cockington Lakes project was praised for its community engagement on the project, from conception to completion, together with its promotion of civil engineering and innovation to overcome difficult access and egress constraints. The project successfully restored to their former glory the heritage lakes, a tourist site since Victorian times.

WM Longreach's lake restoration project was praised for its community engagement and engineering innovation.

28th June 2017

Grand Opening at Spetchley Park Gardens

On the 28th June, as main contractors of the lake restoration and deer fencing works, WM Longreach were invited to attend the grand opening at Spetchley Park Gardens. This is the culmination of seven years of planning and restoration works. The opening featured a site tour of the now flourishing, restored lakes and heritage buildings, presentation and speech given by a member of the Berkeley family, who have owned Spetchley since the 1600s.

The company attended the grand opening of Spetchley Park Gardens along with Heritage Lottery Fund representatives, sponsors, fundraisers and contractors involved in the long term restoration project.

22nd May 2017