Background

The Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor (SSTC) is a continuous dual carriageway route linking the A19 with Sunderland city centre. Phase 3 (SSTC3) represented the critical 2km section of the route, connecting the southern end of the Northern Spire bridge through to the city centre via Queen Alexandra Bridge and onwards to St Mary’s Boulevard.

Valued at approximately £70 million, the scheme was designed around the site’s former industrial use, complex geology and varying gradients. The project included the construction of 1.2 miles of retaining walls and structures reaching nearly 40ft in height, alongside extensive highway realignments, new junctions, shared use footpath and cycle routes, and enhanced streetscapes.

The challenge

The scale and complexity of SSTC3 required a combined kerb and drainage (CKD) solution that could:

  • Manage surface water effectively along a varied and constrained route
  • Adapt to different neighbourhood contexts, from urban streets to environmentally and historically sensitive areas
  • Be installed efficiently alongside major retaining structures and widening works
  • Reduce excavation, vehicle movements and embodied carbon
  • Deliver value without over engineering, while maintaining performance and durability

In addition, much of the construction was carried out during the Covid 19 pandemic, placing added importance on supply reliability and programme certainty.

The solution

Marshalls’ Mono Beany and two piece Mini Beany combined kerb and drainage systems were specified in preference to a competitor solution, delivering cost, programme and sustainability benefits across the scheme.

Both systems are manufactured using a more economical concrete mix and require less surrounding material and reduced dig out, partly due to their relatively shallow haunch. This resulted in faster installation and fewer vehicle movements, directly supporting carbon footprinting objectives shared by Marshalls, Esh Civils and Sunderland City Council.

The Mini Beany system, classified to E600, features a two piece design comprising a base channel and a top unit. This reduces the risk of damage during installation and allows flexibility in finish selection. At SSTC3, Conservation Silver Grey units were used in environmentally or historically sensitive areas, while Standard Grey units complemented more urban sections of the route.

Mono Beany, manufactured from high strength M Tech concrete and incorporating a recycled PE core, provided a robust D400 classified solution where higher loading performance was required.

The outcome

The use of Marshalls’ combined kerb and drainage systems delivered measurable benefits across the SSTC3 scheme.

It is estimated that the selection of Mono Beany and Conservation Mini Beany resulted in cost savings of approximately £24,000, making this Marshalls’ largest project with Esh Civils to date.

Despite the pressures of the pandemic and evolving design requirements, Marshalls maintained a reliable supply throughout construction. Any additional or replacement units were delivered quickly, helping the project team accommodate mid construction changes without programme delay.

Graham Marshall, Site Agent at Esh Civils, commented:

“The pandemic was a major factor for us, with material shortages becoming apparent mid 2020, but we had no issues with material supply from Marshalls. Any extra or missing kerbs were supplied quickly.”

He added:


“Mono Beany was quick and easy to install, with the Mini being slightly slower due to its two piece design. They are solid products and we had excellent service from the Marshalls team in terms of logistics, sales and technical support.”

The completed scheme now delivers effective surface water drainage, improved connectivity and enhanced streetscapes along a vital new transport corridor, supporting safer journeys, active travel and long term regeneration across Sunderland.