A Brief History of Riverbank Repair Techniques

A Brief History of Riverbank Repair Techniques

All riverbanks are subject to erosion, eventually this can lead to riverbank failure. For example, the images below show the signs of a bank slip taking place and then the aftereffects following the collapse. Riverbank failure can be caused when the gravitational forces acting on a bank exceed the forces which hold it together. Failure will be dependent on the sediment type, the layering materials and the moisture content within the bank.

An ancient way of helping to protect riverbanks was to install what was known as camp shedding (Also referred to as camp-shot, camp-sheeting, camp-sheathing.)

This involves hitting upright timber logs into the riverbank and infilling between the uprights with branches. Some parts of the world still use this technique, but it fails to offer long-term protection compared to modern techniques, such as using steel sheet piles.

In later years the technique of camp shedding evolved into using more solid cut pieces of timber. These timbers we installed between carefully spaced upright posts to help create more of a solid barrier.

The modern-day definition of camp shedding is “Facing of piles and boards along a river bank to protect it from the action of the current, or to stop the bank from collapsing.”

In more recent times, due to technological advances and the availability of marine piling equipment, steel sheet piles are used as a substitute for timber. This is due to the extended whole life cycle that steel offers over timber. This method of using steel is particularly popular with residential riverside developments, as it offers extra strength, far superior durability and is low maintenance once installed. Cooks Marine Services predominantly operates within a freshwater environment and even lightweight steel sheet piles have a life span of between 30 to 40 years.

An example of river side steel sheet piling installed by Cooks Marine Services is pictured below. Some may argue that Cooks Marine Services are a modern-day camp shedding contractor. Yet nowadays this type of riverbank repair or riverbank protection is undertaken by a steel sheet piling contractor, who specialises in riverbank work. Cooks Marine Services have a vast array of specialist marine plant and equipment required to undertake this type of riverside construction work.

The sheet piling reinforcement of the lake bank on the University's Whiteknights Campus was carried out safely, professionally and efficiently by Cooks Marine Services. Sam Cook and his team were diligent and thorough. The project was completed on time and to budget, a great job.

Greg Lowe, University of Reading

Cooks first started working with Henley Royal Regatta in 2007 when our existing supplier at the time was failing to perform. Since 2008 we have used Cooks to install and dismantle the annual Regatta course, a complex project with rigid deadlines that also requires delivery to very high standards. We enjoy a good working relationship and like their can do attitude and problem solving capabilities as well as the depth they bring in terms of both equipment and people.

Edward Warner, Head of Operations, Henley Royal Regatta

My professional experience of Cooks as a supplier date from 2012, since then I have engaged with Cooks to support our (Land & Water Services Ltd) operations delivering contracted works on the R.Thames on behalf of the Environment Agency. The work type and location has varied greatly from the recovery of sunken vessels, sheet piling to dredging. Over those 10 years we have come to value our relationship with Cooks, not just because of their inherent skills, knowledge, and experience, but because of the strong values and principles the team has displayed throughout our dealings.

Tom Cartmel, Contracts Manager, Land & Water Services Ltd

Through Cooks strong local knowledge of the area and technical expertise in the marine environment, they were able to offer support during tender stages, which proved invaluable on this contract. While on site, the team were professional, polite and had a ‘can do’ attitude, leading to a great working environment, allowing for the contract completion ahead of programme.

James North, Environment Agency Framework Manager, Breheny Civil Engineering

Cooks extremely helpful and came for a site visit, they were able to give a great insight and the perfect resolution. Throughout the whole process they kept us informed, the work started as schedule and was completed on time. The tasks of piling, de silting and bank reconstruction were carried out in an extremely confident and competent manner. The work was carried out in accordance with health and safety protocol by skilled staff. I would be more than happy to recommend Cooks to anyone who required river works of any type.

Matthew Styles-West, Estate Manager, Mill Court Estate

The customers are over the moon with their new landing stages, we look forward to working with you again.

Kim Clifford, General Manager, Hobbs of Henley

I would like to say to Sam and the rest of the crew a big thank you for the service you provided and delivering on our ask. The team demonstrated professionalism from start to finish, from the Safety/CDM brief to completion and demobilisation. A pleasure to partner work with such a proficient company.

John Dunston, Environment Agency

If you would like further information or a chance to talk to someone, please get in touch.

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John Henry Arthur Cook worked for the Thames Conservancy from April 1946 onwards. He started his career as an Assistant Lock Keeper but quickly progressed onto working in the construction arm. From this he went onto being a Diving Linesman for a gentleman named Jim Douglas. John must have learnt a few tips from Jim as he went onto become a diver himself. This is where John found his true love as he stayed as a diver for the Thames Conservancy for the rest of his career, up until his retirement in 1987. Being a commercial diver wasn’t the best paid job, so John Cook would take on private work every weekend, undertaking work for private domestic clients. This would encompass constructing small bridges, undertaking riverbank repairs, dredging, installing jetties and pontoons. His son Iain was born 1958 and was one of five children.

 

From a very early age, Iain often accompanied his father John to work, back in the days when this was normal practice. As a young boy, Iain got to sit in excavators, cranes, tugs, and all manner of construction and marine equipment. Getting the opportunity to sit on the lap of the operators, watching first-hand how to operate heavy plant and machinery. Being a child in this environment meant that Iain got to soak up a lot of useful information on how marine construction works. From a very early age, Iain Cook was involved on site, driving dumpers and being hands on. Iain can remember being a child in the early 1960’s and being on site, undertaking riverbank repairs at the property of Sir Billy Wallace and Lady Ashcombe. Upon leaving school, Iain worked for a swimming pool company for 3 months. Then he had 2 years in the Chilterns tree felling.

 

Whilst at school Iain did an apprenticeship in bricklaying, so when the tree felling work stopped Iain went to work as a bricklayer. These were his Monday to Friday jobs, so all the time this work was being undertaken, Iain would be working every weekend with his father John Cook. They must have worked on hundreds of river and marine projects together. Working 7 days a week was a mindset that Iain grew up and he never knew any different and this has not stopped to this day. In the early 1970’s, Iain was 13 years old and recalls working on a project for a gentleman named Michael Elliott. His father John had a team of guys working on installing a bailey bridge at Michael’s property. Johns’ operators were being paid £1 an hour and Iain was on just 25 pence per hour in comparison. Iain remembers Michael Elliott turning around to his father John, who was in charge of the team saying that Iain should be paid the same rate as the rest of the men as he was working just as hard as they were. Quite an accolade for such a young lad, but this made Iain realise that the harder you worked, the more you got paid. It was that very job that set up his mind set that hard work pays off. His firm belief is that you can have anything you want in life if you’re prepared to work hard for it.

 

So, in 1979 Iain set himself up as self-employed, just as the building trade had collapsed during the economic crash. John advised Iain to get to work on a project in Wargrave, undertaking a riverbank repair. Following this Iain continued to work on river restoration projects and river related construction work. Over time Iain began to establish his own team of men and was starting to build a reputation for undertaking high quality river construction projects for private customers in the West Thames area. His first phone call to enquire about a new project under his own banner, was for the slipway installation at Hambleden Mill, that was circa 1979/1980. Iain stayed as self-employed status up until 2004 under the trading name of Iain J Cook Riverbank Piling up until 1982. Iain decided that was quite a mouthful, so shortened the name to just Cook Piling. It was this name change that found his reputation grow and through word of mouth the work enquiries kept coming in. Iain’s very first piece of machinery that he bought for himself was an old 3.5t chieftan excavator, purchased in 1979.

 

Iain’s first Boat house was a take down and rebuild in 1980 in Wargrave. Iain’s first piece of marine plant was set up in 1981, his very own works platform, this was the start of what is now Cooks Marine Services. In 1982 Iain worked on a project installing riverbank piles next Oakley Court. The Oakley Project was 1260ft of river steel sheet pile installation, costing the client at the time £10.50/ft. Cooks first barges were bought direct from the Environment Agency around 1982, for £50 each, bought as scrap metal. Iain went about undertaking a full refurbishment and restored them and turned them into a fully operational working barge. This followed his first major contract for marine works after Oakley Court, Pangbourne. Cooks first tug was a fibre glass one, bought in 1984 in Staines from a gentleman called Charlie Austin, the boats name was simply C G N A. The engine was ceased, and Iain managed to purchase it for very little money at the time. After some hard work, the engine was fully refurbished, and it was air cooled and hand wound. Iain remembers the awful heat that was produced from the boats engine, making the working conditions really challenging. The boat was dreadful to steer, often taking a route of its own along the river. Iain can remember nearly crashing this awful boat on several occasions, avoiding a near miss.

 

The first boat that Iain was really proud of was the ‘Captain Cook’, a steel tug, bought in 1986 from Janet Marine in Penton Hook. It was an unusual one-off build, so it is believed to be one of its kind. The first crane was a Jones 1500 bought in 1988, Iain remembers feeling like he was Sir Alfred McAlpine when that crane was delivered. But Iain’s dreams were soon shattered when he looked at the HIAB of his brand-new crane to find out that the dealer had fitted second hand controls and seat. Not what he expected from his largest investment at the time. Iain Cook was the first person to buy a HIAB on a barge, it was a HIAB 100 knuckle boom crane on a new barge. It was constructed to be able to fit into tight and awkward places on the river.

 

This barge went onto working directly for the EA on Marsh Lock, circa 1990. The project was run by Fergals, undertaking a full lock refurbishment. The client had asked John Fenn to be able to load and transport tarmac, but the tug was not capable to do this, and their tug ended going downstream as it was insufficient for the task at hand. This misfortune for John Fenn was an opening for Cooks, as this provided Cooks with their first commercial contract. This being down to the unique capabilities of Iain’s bespoke barge, as it could fit into the lock and worked excellently for transporting materials. This was a real milestone in the trading of Cooks, as it marked the beginning of working for both commercial clients, as well as private domestic ones. This project established Cooks name amongst the EA and other marquee clients. It led onto two other major contracts for Cooks that really set them apart from the competition at the time.

 

1986 saw Cooks run the construction of Temple Marina. Then in 1989/90 Cooks landed their longest contract at the time, an 18-month project at Viners Island, protecting the top end of the island. 1991 saw the birth of Iain’s son, Sam, who has grown up working with Iain and is currently the operations director. 2004 saw the establishment of Cook Piling Limited. This logo became iconic with river works in the West Thames area for any work from Teddington Lock up to Buscot. 2021 saw the rebrand of Cook Piling, because as a company we undertake a whole array of marine services, hence the change to Cooks Marine Services.

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