UK Project with a Geotechnical Value of between £1M and £3M

This is for a ground engineering scheme (as a standalone project or part of a larger development) with a contract value of between £1M and £3M that stands out in terms of its credentials in innovation, sustainability, health and safety and value engineering. 

Albion Drilling Group, CPE Consultancy, Jacobs and Scottish Borders Council & SBC Contracts
Hawick FPS WS22

Sandbed was regarded as the most challenging of the forty-two work-sections of the Hawick Flood Protection Scheme. Difficulties worsened in February 2020 when flooding during Storm Ciara collapsed the Bridge House Guesthouse. Despite major challenges, the team achieved the target dates within overall programme to deliver flood protection to 970 properties. The works involved installation of a contiguous piled wall, capping beam and upstand river wall (42m long, 15m deep) inside a steel sheet-piled wall. 74No. 406mm diameter permanent casings were drilled at 600mm centres along the length of the wall. Casings were taken down below rockhead level, 10.5m depth below piling platform level. Once sufficiently into rock a 356mm diameter DHD bit progressed 3m further to the pile toe level. Through partnership working and careful planning this project overcame tough geotechnical requirements and complex engineering challenges to achieve successful delivery whilst mitigating environmental risk in a safe working environment.

Alun Griffiths Contractors
Rhigos Road remediation

The design solution for Rhigos Road comprised the novel use of rockfall attenuators, combining a rock catch ‘fence’ and drape netting, similar to avalanche barriers commonly used in the Alps. This was perfect for a steep geometry with vertical cliff directly above the road, eliminating the need to install a significant area of netting. Areas prone to high energy rockfall and instability were treated with a high capacity rockfall containment barrier and a combination of high tensile ‘Tecco’ and ‘Spider’ netting with stabilisation rock bolts. The value engineered solution provided significant benefits in terms of project cost, timescale and embodied carbon, ultimately reducing environmental impact, safety risk, and disruption to the public.

Arcadis
Guildford STW

The Guildford Sewage Treatment Plant project surpassed expectations by delivering innovative and sustainable geotechnical solutions on the landfill site. The combined efforts of Arcadis, Foundation Piling, and BAM transformed a landfill into vital infrastructure using Rapid Impact Compaction and Vertical Rigid Inclusions for ground improvement. A high-quality ground model, supported by well-defined and monitored in-situ trials, verified design assumptions. Embracing a no-dig philosophy, the design approach prioritized sustainability while addressing the unique challenges of the site. Project digitalization through GIS, Leapfrog 3D, and BIM360 modelling was instrumental in optimizing designs, minimizing environmental impact, and reducing carbon emissions. This approach unlocked the development of 1,500 homes while delivering future-proof infrastructure for Guildford. Through exceptional collaboration and technical leadership, the team provided a sustainable, high-performing solution that exceeded industry standards, setting a new benchmark for brownfield redevelopment.

Arup, Bachy Soletanch, Canary Wharf Contractors and Red7Marine
Eden Dock Bridge marine piling

The 56m span Eden Dock footbridge at Canary Wharf will provide improved connectivity as part of the Eden Dock Project which reimagines the historic Middle Dock into a waterfront oasis of interconnected pontoons and aquatic islands. The Arup designed marine piles that will support the steel footbridge are in close proximity to the Jubilee Line running tunnels with approvals successfully achieved to undertake both the ground investigation and pile construction during traffic hours. The 2.1m diameter rotary bored marine piles constructed under polymer by BSL with floating marine plant and logistics provided by Red7Marine were completed in November 2024 using an innovate new low carbon concrete. The follow-on pile-pier connections were also completed by BSL using innovative methods to deliver technical excellence. The efficient and collaborative delivery of design, procurement and approvals through close relationships with the client, regulators and contractor supply chain enabled the fast-track programme to be achieved.

CGL and McAleer & Rushe
65 Crutched Friars, Aldgate

Building on CGL’s 10-year award-winning history on sustainable sub-structure reuse, CGL and McAleer&Rushe embarked on a focused geotechnical and temporary-works design journey from PCSA to construction. Through unearthing significant below ground obstructions, which are usually a risk/hindrance, thanks to early CGL-Mc&R trusted collaborations, this sparked a focused and tailored CGL structural-SI, where existing structural-elements were seen as an opportunity to sustainably reuse, causing pivotal changes in direction from a conventional fully-piled basement concept, to a hybrid piled/underpinned structure. CGL’s one-stop-shop services enabled a streamlined, seamless and rapid feedback of site-data, between the SI-team and analysis/design-team. CGL’s pragmatic/cost-effective solution, avoided conventional cross-propping, allowing a clutter-free site. 65CF is a further refinement of CGL’s award-winning buttress-pile genealogy, driven by innovative PLAXIS-3D, reducing impacts compared to traditional approaches. Collaborative team-engagement and trust in CGL’s early-stage lean/pragmatic geotechnical concepts was paramount, allowing the BREEAM-outstanding development to be delivered safely, quickly, efficiently, onsite accident-incident free.

Fairhurst Group, Network Rail and QTS Group
Ulverston emergency works

Following intense rainfall, a section of the CBC railway line near Ulverston, Cumbria, was subject to a catastrophic failure. The flow of the nearby Barn beck increased hugely and forced the water to infiltrate this cutting, causing the slope to saturate and ultimately collapse onto the railway. QTS, assisted by Fairhurst, mobilised to site within two hours of the event. Working together to develop an innovative solution, the team succeeded in reopening the line within three days, under an emergency speed restriction. All works necessitating rail access were carried out within a 52h blockade. These emergency geotechnical works were completed with no accidents or incidents, the track fully re-opened, slope regraded and 130m of new beck created in less than 26 days, with rail closures of only five days to mitigate impact on travelling passengers.

Menard
Larne: Port of entries

Menard designed and installed an innovative multi-technique solution of Controlled Modulus Columns in combination with Bi-Modulus Columns underneath the external areas of a new port of entries development located in Larne, Northern Ireland. In addition to the external areas, Menard proposed a design solution for the installation of twelve deep attenuation tanks which enabled our client to refine their construction programme and ensure that these deep tanks were excavated promoting a high level of health and safety. Menard worked collaboratively with our client and suppliers to ensure a suitable design solution was provided bringing benefit to the scheme in terms of price, programme, and carbon saving benefits.

Mott MacDonald Bentley and United Utilities
Bolton WwTW, AMP7 environmental upgrades

United Utilities AMP 7 Infrastructure Upgrades to Bolton WwTW are part of a larger strategy to improve river quality for a 47km stretch of the River Irwell. Mott MacDonald Bentley were appointed to deliver this £94M investment through detailed design and construction. The site was geologically complex with multiple and varying ground risks: extensive geological fault disturbance zones, elevated groundwater pressures and legacy coal mining risks. Team ground engineers developed a detailed digital 3D ground model that was fully integrated into the wider project digital model to fully understand and visualise the impact of significant ground risks to construction. Early collaborative design optimisation delivered safer, faster, lower cost and more sustainable solutions through designing out key ground risks. The truly collaborative ‘one team’ approach delivered significant construction outputs within very tight timescales ensured that the Regulatory delivery date of 31st March 2025 was successfully met.

VolkerGround Engineering
New Wear footbridge

VolkerGround Engineering played a critical role in constructing the New Wear High-Level Footbridge, a key project within the Riverside Sunderland Masterplan aimed at improving connectivity between Sheepfolds and Sunderland city centre. The team overcame significant geotechnical challenges, including sloping terrain and limited access, by employing innovative techniques such as temporary steel platforms supported by rotary bored piles to preserve the historic quay wall. Preliminary test piles underwent rigorous 14MN load testing, providing essential data for the design of the main 1300/1180mm rotary bored piles. Sustainability was central to the project, with materials like steel for the Northern Temporary Jetty repurposed from previous projects, significantly reducing the carbon footprint. Environmental protections, including bio-oil use and temporary bunds, safeguarded the River Wear. Through close collaboration with VolkerStevin, ARUP, and the supply chain, the project was delivered efficiently, laying robust foundations for a landmark bridge that will enhance connectivity and urban regeneration.

Ward & Burke Construction and United Utilities
Astley Bridge/Dunscar Bridge CSO and detention shaft scheme

The United Utilities & Ward & Burke AMP7 scheme in Bolton aimed to upgrade combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and wastewater storage to reduce stormwater discharges into the River Irwell and River Croal. Faced with tight deadlines, limited site access, and complex geotechnical challenges, the team led by Ward & Burke pioneered combining CSO and detention tank structures into a single shaft—an approach never used in the UK. This innovative solution reduced excavation, reduced embodied carbon by 30%, and cut costs by over 40%. The design also mitigated geotechnical risks, avoided contaminated soil disturbance, and improved safety. The project was completed in six months, ahead of schedule, and prevented over six million litres of sewage from entering the rivers. This solution sets a new benchmark in sustainable infrastructure and is being considered for future upgrades, demonstrating significant environmental, operational, and cost-saving benefits.