Falkirk Council has invested £70,000 in natural techniques to reinforce sections of local burns, aiming to keep water moving during heavy rain, curb erosion and support biodiversity across the area.

Instead of relying solely on hard engineering, the works use willow stakes, low fencing and soil-filled 'veg bags' to bolster vulnerable banks while allowing plants to take hold over time, building long-term resilience.

On the Grange Burn in Grangemouth, approximately 200m of willow staking and low fencing have been installed where banks had begun to overhang the channel.

At the Chapel Burn, which runs through Larbert, Stenhousemuir and Carronshore, damaged bank protection near the public footbridge was replaced and extended to help guide flows away from the bridge foundations. On a nearby tributary, vegetation was cleared so new willow staking and fencing could be added, helping to rebuild the bank and slow water during high flows.

-- Advertisement --

Shorter lengths of soil-filled 'veg bags' provide added stability — 10m on the Grange Burn and 15m on the Chapel Burn.

Along the Almond Pow near Falkirk Stadium, work concentrated on vegetation management and sediment removal to maintain free-flowing water and reduce the risk of blockages during intense rainfall.

A site check at the Grange Burn in February 2026 confirmed the willow stakes had withstood winter water levels. Based on this performance, similar natural barriers will now be rolled out along other local waterways, including sections of the River Carron, to help protect banks.

Retaining walls were also inspected ahead of the veg bags being seeded in spring, encouraging grass cover so the bags blend into the natural bank. Over time, the vegetation is expected to match the surrounding area.

The project follows routine inspections that identified the Chapel and Grange burns as priorities and sits within the Council's broader water management programme, which includes installing leaky barriers in the Glen Burn to slow flows and lower downstream flood risk.

Cllr Bryan Deakin, spokesperson for Climate Change, said: "This work shows how we can adapt to heavier rainfall and changing weather in practical, sustainable ways. By using living materials like willow alongside traditional defences, we're protecting local paths, bridges and homes while keeping carbon down.

"It's part of a wider programme of small, sustainable interventions, from leaky barriers to bank stabilisation, that together make a real difference to how our communities manage water. These projects are cost-effective, low impact and help build resilience for the future."