St Erth: Safer Footpath and River Access at the River Hayle Nature Reserve

Embankment Steps Over the Flood Bank

The main set of steps was built over the flood bank embankment, joining two sections of footpath that had not previously linked as well as they should.

The steps were constructed from strength-graded, pressure-treated timber, with handrails installed on both sides. There were eight steps either side of the embankment, forming a safe route up and over the bank.

We used Gripsure non-slip timber decking boards for the treads. That was an important detail on a riverside path, where wet conditions, mud and winter use all make slip resistance more important than it might be on a standard garden structure.

The finished steps give walkers a clear, safe and more usable route through the nature reserve, while keeping the work in a timber finish that suits the setting.

Creating Controlled Dog Access to the River

The two dog access points were installed in locations where informal river access was already causing erosion.

These were built using 3-inch oak planks to form the main step structure, fixed deeply and securely into the ground with threaded bar. The steps were then backfilled with clean stone to create a stable surface that suited the river edge.

A 1.5t excavator was used for the dog access points only. The work was carried out carefully and under environmental constraints, with no machine entering the rivercourse at any point.

That was a key part of the method. We needed to create access down to the water without causing further disturbance to the riverbank or the River Hayle itself.

Working in a Public Riverside Setting

Because the works were taking place on a public route through a nature reserve, access management mattered throughout the project.

There were walkers, dog walkers and existing footpath users to consider, so we worked with barriers, signage and safe working areas to keep the public away from active construction.

The works also had to be delivered under the environmental method agreed with the client, Westcountry Rivers Trust and the relevant permissions. The steps needed to be strong and practical, but the construction still had to respect the riverside setting.

In a few places, the path was widened slightly to maintain a clear gap between the new dog access steps and the existing hedge. That made the finished route easier to use and helped avoid creating a new pinch point on the path.