Away from the visually impressive sheet piled retaining walls currently being installed adjacent to the A19 into York, Howard Civil Engineering are creating a water meadow; a sculpted flood water compensation area which will provide a haven for local wildlife and walkers alike.

Working to the strict rules and timescales laid down by the IDB (Internal Drainage Board) and Natural England, providing us with a licence to work adjacent to a watercourse inhabited with water voles, the sunny dry weather has been very welcome working so close the natural water table.

25,000m3 of sand and clay has been moved out of the area. Aided by the use of a GPS guided dozer a natural looking undulating landscape has been created with a central wet channel and three pools. Rip rap stone has been set into a concrete bed to form the inlet and outlet structures preventing scour during flood periods and controlling the flow of the water during flood conditions.

A water vole habitat further enhances the area, encouraging wildlife to return to the area once the works have been completed.