Works Within 9m River Watercourse Method Report

Works within 9m of a river/ watercourse.

Ref: 23 1759/WW9mRW 25th July 2024

Project: Erection of proposed detached replacement Workshop building at Unit 36 Snugborough Trading Estate, Union Mills, Braddan, IM4 4QL.

This project although close to an existing river would not require entry into the river in association with the proposals.

Due to the close proximity of the river care must be taken on site with the following comments being adhered to at all times;

• • All cement bags would be kept in an on-site lockable shed/store to keep the cement bags dry and in one place. Mixing would take place close to this store with the mixed materials being mixed as far away as practicable from the river. Mixed mortar would then be transported to location by bucket etc. Ready mixed mortar tubs may be utilised instead and would have a lesser requirement for washing out and any unused mortar would be disposed of to a waste container such as a skip and not washed down to dispersal. If a concrete pump system were to be utilised for pouring concrete pad foundations, only operatives familiar with the pump use would be allowed to pour the footings, particularly where the river runs closest to the proposed new footings to prevent possible concrete splash.
• • Toxic materials such as paints, solvents, fuel and lubricants, etc, would be kept in an on-site lockable store which would be managed by the main contractor. It would be situated away from the river and monitored so if any leakage were to take place it could be spotted and cleaned up without risk of river entry. Any empty receptacles would be placed in a skip (with no holes for water drainage), and the skip taken from site on regular basis. General good housekeeping on site would be put in place with all operatives informed of the consequences of the entry of toxic substances into the river course. The site manager would be made responsible for this.

• • Washings from equipment and works would be managed by only washing out when necessary within a wide designated area far away as practicable from the river. The washings would not be washed to the same area at each wash so as not to overburden the previously soaked area. Again general good monitoring on site would be put in place with all operatives informed of the consequences of the entry of washing substances into the river course. The site manager would be made responsible for this.
• • Furthermore, we would include appropriate instruction within the build specification and tender documentation to ensure as much information was offered early on and responsibilities clearly identified. A site manager responsible for all of the above and charged with the care of the existing river course, would be identified, would be on site for the contract duration and would be responsible for the education and enforcement of good site housekeeping in line with the above and whom would be appointed to call your department should a problem arise with regards to the river.
• • Sandbagging could also be utilised along the perimeter edge of the top bank of the existing river as an additional precaution and around the mixing and wash down areas to further contain any escaped overflowing material or sediment to prevent river entry and allow containment to facilitate clean up.
• • The level of care would be applicable throughout the whole construction phase with care taken so as not to allow brick, stone, timber, tile, insulation materials, etc, to fall into the river and no vehicles would be allowed to drive on to or close to the existing river.
• • A representative from your department would be welcome to visit the site as part of the construction process to liaise with the site manager and test and report regularly on the site and river condition.

In the unlikely event there is spillage into the river the below contact details for environmental protection unit and inland fisheries will be posted in the site office:

INLAND FISHERIES CONTACT DETAILS: Richard Long, Inland Fisheries Foreman Environment Directorate Department of Environment, Food & Agriculture, Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St Johns, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tel: 01624 651 578 M: 07624 219 235 Fax: 0162468 5851 Website www.gov.im/DEFA Email [email protected]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION UNIT CONTACT DETAILS: Environmental Protection Unit Environment Directorate Department of Environment, Food & Agriculture, Thie Slieau Whallian, Foxdale Road, St Johns, Isle of Man, IM4 3AS Tel: +44 1624 685885 Website www.gov.im/DEFA Email [email protected]