Brief

In late 2019 we were approached by a client in Worcestershire asking us to design and install a new platform at the bottom of his garden. He wanted to make better use of their access to the river Severn that runs right at the edge of their property, allowing them to go paddleboarding, kayaking and swimming. We provided a design specification for the permit application process, and after a brief hiatus in spring 2020 for the first lockdown, completed the installation.

Solution

The winter floods cause a huge variation in water level, so we knew that whatever we built would have to cope with that. We decided on a two-level jetty, making it easier for the children to climb in and out of the water, and giving the right access height at different times of the year. There were large trees on either side of the planned location, and shade and falling leaves would have caused timber to become dangerously slippery and eventually rot, so we settled on GRP grid as the main decking material, with composite cladding to provide a smooth edge. This would have the added benefit of allowing flood water to rise up without upthrust forces lifting planks and causing damage, and then drain cleanly without leaving silt deposits.

Challenges

Perhaps surprisingly, after the first few weeks the pandemic had little impact on our work, all of which is organised remotely or socially distanced in the garden anyway. The access to the location was a challenge, with a 900mm gap down the side of the house to the garden followed by a steep bank to a deep river. The main challenge was self-inflicted, however. When we saw a rope swing to the right of the jetty site, from which the children would jump into the river, we decided a long sweeping curve on that side would be just that little bit safer, as well as adding another level of quality and elegance to an already beautiful location. It was the first time we’d attempted a curved jetty, and the design and manufacture was a steep learning experience, especially as it had to be produced in small enough pieces to be carried through the narrow access. Once we had it installed, with the warm spring sun glinting off the water, the smooth curve echoing the meanders of the river Severn, we knew we’d made the right decision.