Retaining Wall Solutions Cuts Time and Cost of Road Junction Scheme
Retaining Wall Solutions provided a fast and cost-effective way to tackle a safety hazard at a busy road junction in Staffordshire.
The A53, Newcastle Road is a busy road from Newcastle under Lyme, with a difficult junction (Madeley Road) outside Baldwins Gate village.
In constant use by heavy commercial vehicles and cars; Madeley Road is the feed to the surrounding villages. With such heavy usage, incidents are inevitable where vehicles will leave the road and hit barriers. In this case, behind the barrier is a significant drop down to a well used road (see photo). This, together with the potential of bank erosion, was the catalyst for Staffordshire Highways to seek a ‘permanent’ solution to the junction.
A variety of solutions were considered by Staffordshire Highways, with the use of large pre-cast blocks being the eventual choice for the road retention scheme. These blocks were ‘fit for purpose’ and conformed to the council’s drive to reduce Installation Schedule and Costs; and reduce Health, Safety and Environmental risks, whilst maintaining traffic flow.
Advantages of the modular build system include:
•Sustainable dry laid materials
•Aesthetic appearance–responsible planning
•Faster installation
•Reduced site maintenance
•Flexible design solution
The client, Staffordshire Highways, empowered the design team, alongside Hyder Consulting, to resolve all the design and construction issues of building on a tight sloping site with severe access restrictions, whilst maintaining all the requirements of the HSE Safety guidelines and traffic management, with no traffic incidents.
The modular concept allows the units to be designed for use in any development or landscaping project, ideal in situations where space is limited and fast to construct in all weather conditions using a small installation team.
The system gave an aesthetic; cost effective; fast and simple build solution. The initial build programme was planned for six weeks. This was reduced to 21 days.
The result: an ‘eye catching’ 40m long 1.5-5m high retaining wall between two roads, with a substantial restraining traffic barrier.
Another ’Just in Time’ solution from Retaining Wall Solutions, providing flexibility, reducing programme, costs, risk and time on site – ‘Better and Faster for Less’.
Ends
Retaining Wall Solutions
Scotchal House
Radfall Ride
Chestfield
Kent
CT5 3EW
Tel: 01227 793364
Email: sales@onlyretainingwalls.com
Web: http://www.onlyretainingwalls.com