A challenging industrial site in Newcastle upon Tyne required a retaining wall solution that could create valuable new operational space, while allowing existing plant activity to continue throughout the works.
The Brief
Jobling Purser has operated from its River Tyne site since the 1830s, but as the business developed, space on site became increasingly limited. With the River Tyne on one side and a protected railway line on the other, opportunities for expansion were extremely restricted.
A disused embankment with an 8-metre level difference was identified as a potential area for redevelopment. If retained successfully, it would provide up to 825m² of additional flat space for operational use.
The scheme came with several challenges. Site access for heavy plant was limited due to narrow, sloping ground conditions, while available geotechnical information was restricted to Dynamic Cone Penetration testing. A key conveyor system located near the base of the proposed wall also had to remain live throughout the project. During excavation, unexpected foundations were uncovered, making on-site design flexibility essential.
An early concept based on L shaped precast walls supported by piled foundations was reviewed, but this was found to be both expensive and impractical for the location.
The Solution
To help deliver a more practical and cost-effective alternative, Naylor Concrete Products worked with Retaining Network S.L. on a mechanically stabilised earth retaining wall using Verti-Block Precast Modular Blocks (PMB) and Solmax TenCrate Miragrid geogrid reinforcement.
This value engineered solution removed the need for piling and large crane access, allowing the wall to be constructed using compact 10 tonne excavators. This made it far better suited to the site constraints and enabled work to progress while plant operations continued.
Naylor Concrete’s Verti-Block PMB system is manufactured using C40/50 concrete, offering excellent durability and resistance to freeze thaw conditions in demanding external environments. The blocks are manufactured in accordance with international standard BS EN 15258. Used in combination with the specified geogrid reinforcement, the system provides a 120-year design life.
The wall was successfully constructed over a 55-metre length, with close collaboration between the designer, contractor and supplier helping the team respond quickly to changing site conditions without compromising structural performance.
Outcome
The completed retaining wall enabled Jobling Purser to reclaim a significant area of previously unusable land, creating valuable new operational space within a constrained industrial setting.
This project highlights the advantages of modular MSE wall construction where access is limited, disruption must be minimised and design flexibility is critical. It also demonstrates the importance of collaborative working, with support throughout the tender and construction phases including preliminary excavation volume estimates, wall calculations to EC 1997 and BS 8006, formal design and section drawings, and responsive on-site design updates as works progressed.
