Riverbank Repair at Iburndale Beck
![Riverbank Repair at Iburndale Beck](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/65097d18d934568ee1611e9a/65097d18d934568ee1612259_06.jpg)
Case Study: Iburndale Beck, Iburndale Lane, Sleights, North Yorks, UK
In 2006, the construction of a series of 4-5 luxury bedroom houses in the village of Sleights, North Yorkshire necessitated the reinforcement of a riverbank on Iburndale Beck, a tributary of the River Esk. Planning permission called for a long-term erosion protection system to be installed along the riverbank, running the entire length of the housing development.
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/65097d18d934568ee1611e9a/65097d18d934568ee161225b_01.jpg)
After careful consideration, the Flex MSE® Geomodular Block & Interlocking Plate System was specified as opposed to less environmentally friendly & costly solutions (i.e. gabion baskets). Flex MSE® was chosen to provide a sustainable, permanent, green solution to the project.
Flex MSE’s® engineered geomodular system was chosen as a flexible, simple to install solution that would provide high & low-level protection against scour, erosion & flood events.
All the Flex MSE® GTX Bags & patented Interlocking Plates were filled with a 66:34 sand & compost mix, and installed by hand in a fraction of the time it would take to install traditional systems. The GTX bags below the water line were filled with 20mm free-draining gravel. The proprietary fill medium allows for flexibility over time, promotes vegetation growth whilst still being free-draining and does not compact over time.
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/65097d18d934568ee1611e9a/65097d18d934568ee161225c_03.jpg)
The system was vegetated via hydroseeding, with a basic native seed mix. Approximately 12 months post-installation, the Flex MSE® installation was fully covered in vegetation. Once fully covered, Flex MSE® was able to blend in with its natural environment, maintain native biodiversity as well as offer permanent integrity (120-year design life).
The Flex MSE® GTX bags are both water & root permeable, and UV-stabilised, acting as a scour protection at the face, withstanding high flowrates during flood events.
In the 16 years since installation, the Flex MSE® vegetated Wall System has remained stable with the GTX bags remaining intact showing no signs of degradation. A wide range of native vegetation has increased and continues to provide a sustainable green erosion control solution with biodiversity and environmental benefits.
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/65097d18d934568ee1611e9a/65097d18d934568ee161225a_08.jpg)
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/65097d18d934568ee1611e9a/65097d18d934568ee1612466_IMG_2351.jpeg)
Gleeson Homes looks to Sustainable Retaining Walls
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/65097d18d934568ee1611e9a/65097d18d934568ee1612462_IMG_2605.jpeg)
Lancashire Council Endorses Flex MSE for Road Support
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/65097d18d934568ee1611e9a/65097d18d934568ee161244b_IMG-20230706-WA0014.jpg)
Essex Council Adopts Flex MSE for Flood Protection
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/65097d18d934568ee1611e9a/65097d18d934568ee1612450_IMG-20230706-WA0043.jpg)
Bellway Homes Specifies Flex MSE on Housing Development in Liverpool
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/65097d18d934568ee1611e9a/65097d18d934568ee1612378_scot%20cam.jpg)
Union Canal, Scotland chooses Flex MSE for Retaining wall
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/65097d18d934568ee1611e9a/65097d18d934568ee16122f8_costain%20foul%20water.jpg)
HydroSack® supports construction site from foul water entering public watercourse
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/65097d18d934568ee1611e9a/65097d18d934568ee16122f5_marriott%20hot.jpg)
Marriott Hotel finds flood protection solution for floodwater damage with HydroSack® and HydroSnake®
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/65097d18d934568ee1611e9a/65097d18d934568ee16122f3_HydroSnake%20Washing%20Machine.jpg)
Fife Council invest in Flood protection range of products
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/65097d18d934568ee1611e9a/65097d18d934568ee16122f0_flash%20floods.jpg)
HydroSack® supports Witton from freak storms and flash flooding
Somerset District Council provide flood protection initiative for over 3,000 effected by the recent floods.
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/65097d18d934568ee1611e9a/65097d18d934568ee16122eb_hydrosack1.jpg)
Hammersmith & Fulham Council switch to an alternative, affordable, more sustainable solution for flood protection
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/65097d18d934568ee1611e9a/65097d18d934568ee16122e8_hydrosnake_2-300x184.jpg)
Dumfries & Galloway Council confirm alternative to sandbags for flooding protection
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/65097d18d934568ee1611e9a/65097d18d934568ee1612223_617c18a96d147568ab45f3dd_Hammersmith-and-Fulham-Council-Keep-Things-Local_0001.jpeg)
Hammersmith & Fulham Council
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/65097d18d934568ee1611e9a/65097d18d934568ee1612227_617c1879616477235783ae80_239824522.jpg.gallery.jpeg)