Four Winds, Weybridge

Our Latest B(log)

Timber log walling and timber crib gravity retaining structures were the order of the day for Geoforte in the creation of extensive new rear gardens and landscaped areas for a new housing development at prestigious location St Georges Hill, Weybridge. The log walls were constructed as terraces in curved lines around future amenity areas and  fountain features with the lower terrace timber crib wall containing grow bags for future planting out of the wall face with a variety of flowers and shrubs.

The works had to be carefully carried out in pre-determined stages from the base level up and incorporated specifically designed land drainage behind each wall position in order to maintain overall stability of the hillside. We hope to post some more images of this site when all the landscaping and planting has been completed and the flowers are in bloom to show the completed job off to best effect!

Iwade, Kent

Geoforte Creates a Storm

A lengthy diversion of a large diameter storm water drainage system was carried out in parallel with the construction of gabion walling and mattressing, to form a new ditch alignment and associated earth retention works for a new housing development site in Iwade, Kent. The site was environmentally and ecologically sensitive and had to conform to EA standards. Special grow bags were built into the wall faces and geoicoir rolls placed at stream bed level to encourage the formation of indigenous species of plants.

Geoforte provided a complete design, supply and installation package of works for local contractor Swale Building Services to enable the completion of all interfacing ground, external and landscaping works on site.

Control of groundwater, careful sequencing and construction of the gabions in predetermined sections under testing ground conditions were all major factors in the successful completion of this job.

Bere Regis, Wareham

Early Workforce Engagement Pays Dividends 

Replacing a collapsed masonry retaining wall over two storeys high behind a terrace of existing cottages with only footpath access proved a challenge to our team. Access was limited to small plant and hand held equipment and the work had to be carried out carefully and in sections to minimise disturbance to the existing failed bank.

Our directly employed workforce were actively involved in the early planning of the project with our management prior to commencement on site in order that the most feasible, efficient and safe working methods were adopted for an in house design that included soil nailing and the construction of a timber crib structural facing.

Once a point of access had been formed by the temporary removal of neighbouring boundary walls and fences, bulk excavation and removal of spoil was closely followed by the use of two phase scaffold access platforms and high level access with barrow hoists.

The contract was completed on time, within budget and with the minimal amount of disturbance to the residents.

School Road, Hastings

Novel Solution to Wall in Hastings

When the Principal Contractor on site called in Geoforte to provide proposals to replace a cracked and deteriorated 1930’s built masonry retaining wall at a social housing site in Hastings, we said no.

Instead, we offered to keep the existing wall in place and strengthen the ground behind using pre-coring and soil nailing with structural mesh and shotcreting to the face. The result - a considerable cost saving on excavation and removal from site of the old wall and erection of new with no imported granular backfill together with reduced build time. Environmental benefits were also realised with the reduction of construction traffic, noise and disruption on the busy steep hillside site with severely restricted access in the sensitive residential area. Needless to say the contractor and client were won over and we completed all works simply and expediently.