Critical Ordinary Watercourses

Mackley Construction has been working for the Environment Agency on the assessment and improvements of Critical Ordinary Watercourses (C0Ws). This has required preliminary surveys of culverts, headwalls, screens and channels to ascertain their condition and suggest suitable improvements when necessary. 

Using a combination of CCTV and physical inspections each watercourse has been surveyed. We have submitted reports and indicated those that in our opinion need attention most urgently.

Local design consultants were employed by the EA and each site priced. Much of the work relates to safe maintenance of the trash screens and these have mainly been replaced.

Each site had a value of work below £25,000 but throughout Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Sussex we have completed over 40. Further inspections have been carried out in Kent and the most urgent sites are currently being designed.  The work is conducted with predetermined gang rates and overheads in a simplified open book arrangement.

In addition to trash screens and headwall improvements we have cleared culverts, rebuilt stream walls, enhanced bank protection and carried out traditional ditching works.

Access, screen maintenance and other works have taken account of the current Code of Practice for headwalls and screens.