Geolex were required to carry out all soil nailing and associated works for the strengthening and reconstruction of an existing retaining wall known as Chatham Old Tunnel Retaining Wall in Chatham Kent. The existing structure was a brick wall which was believed to have been originally constructed to act as a facing to the chalk cliff alongside a now infilled tunnel under Old Road.
The works included the following main activities:
Install measures to manage traffic and pedestrian movements in Old Road and the private access road leading to the cottages during reconstruction of the wall new abutments;
Install temporary works around remnants of existing brick parapet to the west side to enable its safe demolition;
Install temporary works around existing brickwork construction forming retaining wall to enable safe removal of trees and other vegetation growing on structure and also demolition of structure;
Remove trees and vegetation growing on retaining wall and slope above;
Take down remnants of existing brick parapet to the west side and existing brickwork construction forming retaining wall
Install Test Nails and carry out soil nail pull out tests;
Install soil nails throughout based on the results of the pull out tests
Geolex had to work closely with the Principal Contractor Steadline Limited to establish a preferred sequence of works taking account of any constraints on timing of operations and access to commercial and residential properties local to the working area.