Context

RMB was asked to hydroseed an area of recently-cut slope at BikePark Wales, the UK’s first full-scale mountain bike park in the heart of the South Wales valleys, that overlooks an underpass section of new track that was prone to erosion.

The client had concerns that, should the bank fail, debris may block the track or even worse, fail whilst being used, resulting in possible injury to users.

Due to its location an environmentally-friendly solution was needed. Something that would not scar the landscape but blend into the natural surroundings.

Challenges

Where possible quality topsoil is always recommended for healthy grass and, due to the lack of it and the difficulty retaining any new soil on the steep slope, traditional methods of establishing new vegetation on this particular erosion control project were not going to work.

Solution

A rapid-establishing grass seed mix providing a deep root structure to help bind the bank together was necessary for the 1,000m² area. This was achieved by using one of RMB's specialist grass seed mixtures suited to poor quality soils that also offers a higher level of protection from erosion.

A slow-release fertiliser was added to provide the required nutrients needed for the development of new vegetation. To protect the slope and seed until the grass was established a high-performance hydro-mulch applied at 2,500kg per ha was also used.

Outcome

Within two months of hydroseeding new vegetation was fully established massively reducing the risk of bank slippage.

Furthermore, as a result of hydroseeding the aesthetics of the new course has been improved. The entire bank is now fully covered with a dense sward of grass instead of bare subsoil.