Ayrshire
In 2024, Ayrshire Rivers Trust removed Davington Weir on the Border Esk catchment, a groundbreaking project funded by the Water Environment Fund through a SEPA tender. Removing the barrier allowed the river to regain its natural flow and sediment transport. Salmon, trout, and eels were blocked from migrating past the barrier for over a century. The weir removal reopened 5km of high-quality habitat for fish populations.
Unlike conventional demolition methods, Ayrshire Rivers Trust used a technique never before applied in Scotland—non explosive demolition grout. This method involved drilling precise holes into the concrete structure and filling them with an expanding grout.
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As the grout expanded, it fractured the concrete away from the underlying bedrock, allowing for careful removal and recycling offsite. This technique minimises the need for heavy machinery, making it ideal for the site’s proximity to British Geological Survey (BGS) geophysical telemetry stations. Traditional demolition risked compromising these stations, so our low-impact method was the perfect solution.
Timing was crucial. The project had to finish
before the 2024 fish spawning season. Despite concerns about weather and water levels, a dry spell provided the perfect window.