Every metre of the CAT 24m long reach excavator was required for an application at Plymouth Yacht Haven, where a new boat storage facility is under construction.  The launching jetty uses a massive forklift crane to both lift and lower the boats into the water
but the harbour silt was a safety hazard during the low spring tides.  Working from the jetty structure, the machine loaded the silt into dump trucks and proved more cost effective than using floating marine plant.

At Kingsnorth power station in the Medway Estuary, WM Plant Hire's 40t long reach excavator has been carrying out dredging operations from the deck of the Arnold Regis vessel for GPS Marine.  This project is critical to maintain an adequate supply of cooling water for the plant and involves the dredging of around 50,000m3 of silt from the intake channels.

Using the Case long reach machine mounted on floating pontoons, sand and gravel is being excavated from a water filled lagoon to a depth of 8m.  Tugs and barges are being used to move the material to the shore for offloading.  To satisfy planning conditions at this quarry in North Wales, up to 100,000t of material is to be removed together with landscaping works as part of the quarry restoration plan.

In the flooding area near Tewkesbury, a series of landslips along the main Cross Country rail line above the flood plain, has prompted emergency action.  WM Plant delivered their 25m reach CAT 375 machine to remove the debris and stabilise the embankment slopes.  On hire to one of Network Rail's key Contractors, the machine will work round the clock to ensure the safety of the rail network.

The recent flooding events near Doncaster have caused undermining of the main rail line, adjacent to the problems experienced by the Ulley Dam in retaining the high water level in the reservoir.  WM Plant are providing two long reach excavators to assist in the emergency slope stabilisation works to restore the transport infrastructure back to normal.

Following the wettest June on record according to some sources, we are now carrying out essential maintenance works in the water sector.  De-silting of water holding lagoons to increase capacity together with clearance of streams and channels will assist in coping with the high volumes of water run off.  The long reach of the machine can excavate over 20 metres from the bank and a planned scheme using floating pontoons will prove even more effective.

Marine work is progressing in front of the Grade 1 listed Royal Liver Building, using a CAT 345 long reach machine.  WM Plant are involved in the prestigious re-development of the historic Pier Head site on the 800th birthday of the city of Liverpool, also a famous World Heritage Site and in preparation for its title of European Capital of Culture 2008.
                      
Carrying out complex underwater operations to develop the famous waterway into the city, this waterfront - the very identity of the city of Liverpool - has been transformed into a bustling tourist attraction.

An underground water storage reservoir in North London is undergoing refurbishment, but is located under the greens of a prestigious golf club.  WM Plant Hire are using their long reach excavator to strip off the topsoil above the reservoir due to load restrictions on the structure.  A new waterproofing membrane is being installed prior to the topsoil being reinstated.  This is a most interesting application.

Making the most of the fine weather, WM Plant Hire has been busy on several slope engineering projects for both re-profiling of the embankments and installation of deep vertical drains.  The superior reach of the long reach excavators is ideal for these operations, where rail and highway networks can remain open avoiding costly delays.

Working for South Staffordshire Council on an environmental improvement scheme, WM Plant Hire are clearing silt and vegetation from the Wyrley Branch Canal.  Still under the ownership of the Council, this scheme is an essential part of the wider strategic development of the area.  By encouraging growth of the local ecology and nature habitats in and around the canal, together with enhancing the area for leisure activities, the project will be a key environmental achievement.

The 40 tonne 22m reach long reach excavator has been working from the deck of the famous Mersey Mammoth vessel at the busy port of Heysham.  Redevelopment of the port is playing a key role in the growth of freight and passenger transport in the region, with WM Plant Hire involved in the underwater marine engineering works.

Wishing you a happy and prosperous 2007.   For WM Plant, the New Year gets off to a busy start in the marine sector.  Our CAT 345 machines are involved in marine work, one at the expansion of the 300 year old Port Askaig on the Isle of Islay.  Working with the vessel ‘Laura M’ from GSS Plant (www.gssplant.co.uk) the machine was used to excavate the blasted rock material from underwater to a depth of around 16m, using Prolec dig profile technology.  The new terminal will accommodate the larger ferries to improve its vital transport links.

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