Project Outline:

This project involved the reinstatement of a 100m section of the B3224 between Exford and Wheddon Cross following a landslip. Somerset Council appointed Walters to install a sheet piled retaining wall solution, along with associated drainage and carriageway upgrades.

Project Delivery:

The works compromised four key areas of operation: traffic management, watercourse management, earthworks and piling, and carriageway reinstatement.

The existing watercourse was diverted around the worksite for the duration of the project and was controlled using a combination of pumps and silt fences. Walters observed strict environmental controls and good engineering management practices to ensure no pollution incidents occurred.

The slipped earth was excavated and removed from site via road wagons and disposed of to a licenced tipping facility. Once the area had been cleared, the sheet piled retaining wall solution was installed along with new drainage including a manhole chamber in the carriageway. The sheet piles were installed using a Giken Supercrush Silent Piler. The area around the drainage outlet was overlaid with the geotextile and anti-erosion rip-rap material.

The carriageway adjacent to the piles was reconstructed and resurfaced and a vehicle restraint system was installed.

Added Value & Client Partnerships:

Walters held two evening public engagement meetings and provided fortnightly updates to local parish councillors regarding progress of the works. We also filled and regulated degraded areas of the carriageway over a 240m length, including outside the limits of the work area.

Walters implemented an ecological watching brief to limit disruption to wildlife. Stringent environmental controls were implemented to prevent the spread of yellow archangel which was present on site.

The project completed three weeks ahead of schedule and on budget.

"Thanks to Walters for delivering this project. Great job...." Somerset Council Structures team.