Venford Reservoir 100 year storm overflow project (devon)

[Jason_Hannaford]

I've started working on this little project from tuesday this week, they startd this job in June this year. They are creating a overflow for the dam ready for this so called 100 year storm as they rekon if the dam did give way then it would take out the local town of Ashburton in Devon. I came in on tuesday to finish off part of the cut into the hill below the dam as to divert the water away from the pumping station and let it take its course down the valley. the cut had a small obstacle which was the gravity feed 500mm pipe to the resevoir which they had cut out the part which was to be exposed to the weather and bolted in a new section which had been sprayed to resist the elements. This was my first job.. lifting the 12m section up the side of the valley to bolt in place. I'm just sorry I couldn't get photo's of this part of the job as it was that steep I just could'nt risk getting out of the cab, incase the machine slipped.. I then had to shape the batters of the route and the drop off into the valley. Then came the hard part. I had to drop out of the formed trough and try and fill in the gap in the batters (which was our only way in and out of the trough) from the outside of the trough, Which was bloody steep. in the end I had to trim up the batter blind, as I just couldn't get high enough up the hill to see wat I was doing, but with the aid of my banks man we got it in the end. although I had to give up tryin on thursday morning due the the rain turning the ground into a skating rink, plus I had to drag all the fill from half way up the hill to the top and try to swing it round inbetween the trees. We finished reinstating the hill yesterday afternoon. I think this has got to be the steepest and most challenging job I have ever done. At one point it was that steep that I was dragging fill up the hill, I could'nt even sit on the seat i was standing straight up on the feet rest's.

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I will try to get some photo's of the finished article on monday as it was to dangerous to get any snaps while I was doing the job just didn't want to risk the machine disapearing down the hill while Iwas out takin pictures... plus I'll get some pictures of the job they are doing up at the dam as I am moving up to that section to help them on monday...

[IBH]

Working at the top of a slope like that i'm suprised that the Volvo was anchored down.

[John Gaunt]

Great pictures, Jason. Hope the 100 year storm doesn't happen while you're working there !!

[d4c24a]

nice pictures jason ,i like jobs that are a bit more challenging it makes the day go quicker
cheers graham

[Jason_Hannaford]

more pictures from this week.

[Martyn Henley]

Great Pictures Jason
Looks like an intresting job

Martyn

[Jason_Hannaford]

And more

[Robban_C]

Fantastic pictures Jason!

[John Gaunt]

Great pictures, Jason, we really appreciate you taking and posting them for us to see

[martyn williams]

Interesting pictures Jason Thanks for posting
Martyn