Engineers draft in some of the best specialist kit in the world to help stamp out serious flooding in Harborough

Expert eco engineers have drafted in some of the best specialist kit in the world to help stamp out serious flooding in Market Harborough.

The expert six-strong team from Ebsford Environmental are using a tank-like machine called a Truxor – worth at least £100,000 – to help clear the clogged-up River Welland in the middle of town.

And the vital work will slash the chances of flooding hitting local businesses and residents – after repeated trouble throughout the winter - as well as boosting the local environment and wildlife.

Michael Reardon, the site manager on the critical scheme, said they had been brought in to carry out the blueprint by contractors acting for the Environment Agency.

His team battled to clear silt and sediment from the river by the bridge near the Aldi store on Springfield Street, Market Harborough, three weeks ago.

“This week we’re working on the River Welland by the bridge outside the Monks home furnishings shop slap bang in the middle of the town centre,” said Michael, who’s based at Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

“We have been digging up and removing all vegetation 20 metres (66 feet) either side of the road bridge.

“We are also clearing out all the silt and sediment that’s built up over the years from a three-metre (10 feet) trench in the river itself.

“As a result we will dramatically increase and improve water flow in the Welland.

“That will reduce the chances of flooding affecting the area in future as well as drastically improving water quality.

“And that’s obviously much better for fish living in the river as well as for local wildlife such as otters and birds like kingfishers.

“So all in all everyone’s a winner,” said Michael.

“It’s why I love this job to bits.

“We’ve been using a Truxor, which is totally amphibious and can float on water, to help clean up the river here.

“There are only 11 of these machines in the whole of Europe – with perhaps nine of those being here in the UK.

“They’re made in Sweden, will cost at least £100,000 and they are not cheap just to hire for the week either!

“But they are an incredibly exciting piece of kit because we can fit 16 different attachments to them for all sorts of highly-specialised work.

“The Truxor is made purely of aluminium and so they weight just a ton.

“And they are aquatic – just at home in the water as on land.

“They really are our very own super-versatile giant Swiss army knife and we love them,” said Michael.

“We’ve got to come back to this spot by Monks on Friday to finish the job.

“And we’ll be using a pretty rare spider digger to clear the upstream side of the road bridge – so I’m already looking forward to that.

“We really are on a mission to improve our fantastic environment up and down the UK as well as here in Market Harborough.

“I’ve got two kids and dogs and we love to go out walking in the countryside.

“So it gives me a massive kick to be able to come out with our team and do our bit for the Great Outdoors where ever we are.”