Barking Barrier Silt Capture

The project involves removing and reapplying the protective coating on the Barking Creek Barrier. To protect the River Roding from contamination, a customised, fully encapsulated hanging scaffold with a uniquely efficient drainage system has been created and installed.

The barrier is still active, so the works are put together in a way that allows them to remove the system in under 5 hours in case of emergency like gate closures. Regular inspections of the drainage system are conducted to confirm its functionality and prevent accidental spills or leaks.

A discharge licence from Thames Water has been obtained, enabling the discharge of wastewater from the UHP jet washing process into the sewer system. Strict adherence to this licence is maintained by recording the daily volume of discharged wastewater and ensuring it does not exceed the set daily limit.

It prevents any silt, dust or material from falling over the edge of the gate, into the water (or atmosphere for finer particles) reducing health risks and environmental pollution. It enables waste material to travel safely down to the silt buster without using manual labour.