Background

Telford & Wrekin Council appointed McPhillips (Wellington) Ltd to deliver a major civil engineering project as part of the Southwater regeneration scheme in Telford Town Centre.

The wider programme aims to transform the area into a vibrant destination and prepare the site for significant public and private sector investment over the next decade, helping to create a new focal point for the town.

The challenge

As part of the regeneration works, a retaining wall was required within the scheme layout.

Although the client initially specified a particular retaining wall solution, site constraints meant the specified product could not be used. A replacement solution was needed that could:

  • Accommodate the physical constraints of the site
  • Be installed efficiently within the programme
  • Minimise excavation and backfill requirements
  • Deliver long term durability and visual quality suitable for a prominent public realm location

Any alternative system required technical justification and formal client approval.

The solution

McPhillips approached Marshalls to develop a bespoke retaining wall design using the Redi Rock™ modular walling system.

Marshalls worked with the contractor to design a site specific Redi Rock™ solution tailored to the project’s requirements. Despite initial hesitancy from the client, the technical performance and buildability of the system were demonstrated, and the design was subsequently approved.

Redi Rock™ was selected due to its:

  • Modular construction allowing rapid installation
  • Reduced excavation and backfill volumes
  • Ability to be installed in all weather conditions
  • Natural stone appearance suitable for civic environments
  • Low maintenance requirements over the wall’s design life

The wall was successfully constructed as part of the wider Southwater regeneration works.

The outcome

The bespoke Redi Rock™ retaining wall delivered a robust and attractive solution that met technical, programme and aesthetic requirements.

  • Efficient construction with reduced groundworks
  • High quality finish appropriate for a town centre setting
  • Long term durability with minimal maintenance
  • Proven adaptability of modular retaining systems to constrained sites

Roger Cox, Purchasing Manager at McPhillips (Wellington) Ltd, commented:

“Redi Rock was the ideal choice for the project due to speed of build, reduced excavations and backfill requirements. The finished product looks like natural stone and will look as good in twenty years as it does today.”

McPhillips believe that using the most appropriate materials for the scheme contributed to their nomination as a finalist in the Best Community Building category at the 2011 Local Authority Building Control Awards.