Overview:
Southend-On-Sea’s cliff stabilisation project helped to ensure Southend’s seven miles of coastline were future proof. Southend has a stunning seafront and cliffs that attracts 6.4 million tourists every year. In 2013, a period of extreme rainfall caused damage to the cliff face and several public footways. Over time, this led to dangerous cliff slippage on the banks and around a large, historic sun shelter visited by many tourists.
Read more about Marlborough’s work for Southend here.
The Challenge
The Council needed to find a permanent engineering and drainage solution for the cliff slippage, and install a set of pre-cast steps cut into the bank. The project presented many operational and logistical challenges including; physical and time restricted site access as the restaurant next to the site was open 6 days a week, pre-planning and managing staggered work schedules in addition to heavy 3rd party co-ordination. Unexpected mechanical engineering challenges meant project delays 24 weeks after starting
Fact File
Client Southend-on-Sea City Council
Date December 2014 – August 2015
Duration 9 months
Value £1.15 million
Project
- Removal of 6,400 tonnes of slipped material
- Installation of 69 x 450mm temporary piles
- Construction of 75m of new reinforced retaining walls
- Importing of 5,000 tonnes of granular infill
- Installation of precast cascade steps and a bespoke hand rail
- Construction of 340m² of new footway on the cliff face
Client savings
- Multi-skilled teams redeployed to 2 live projects during down times.
- Support with 3rd party coordination.
The Solution
Marlborough came up with a practical, innovative design solution to accommodate the challenging site conditions and working environment.
“Once the cliff stabilisation project got underway there were a few unexpected challenges that required revisiting structural plans, coordinating material sourcing, supply and fit very quickly. Our Project Manager, took a proactive lead, improvised and didn’t sit back.” Richard Atkins, Sea Defence Engineer, Southend-on-Sea City Council
“One of the things I value most is their very collaborative and transparent team culture. It makes a big difference to have a contractor that wants to work closely with us and is supportive and responsive. With Marlborough, I get a team who are attentive, work collaboratively and honestly with me and don’t lose focus on delivering first class communications and compliance.”
“From the design stage, Marlborough has been fundamental in delivering the Broad Lane Square improvements scheme. During the works, not only did the team manage to keep to the programme, but they went the extra mile to ensure attention to detail and came up with innovative solutions to address issues encountered on site. My thanks on behalf of Haringey goes out to Marlborough for their dedication to deliver.”
“Working alongside our Term Service Contractor Marlborough Highways, we successfully completed renovations to the Crowstone Footbridge. The designs were provided by Marlborough, and the work was unique. The scheme was completed to budget and ahead of its programme duration.”
“I would like to thank you and your team for your efforts, the Marlborough crews were professional, courteous, and hard working all day and ensured the event went without a hitch. You and the team were a credit to the company, demonstrating commitment and support to the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.”
“I just wanted to say what a pleasure it has been to work with Marlborough Highways over the last six months. The quality of work is superb, and there has been some excellent collaboration between Milestone and Marlborough to complete, what at times, has been quite a challenging scheme. I hope to work with Marlborough on another project in the near future.”
“Marlborough worked with us in constructing a 1.3km cycle track. There were a number of technical difficulties to overcome, and their gifted foreman worked to propose some innovative solutions to the challenges we faced. The result is a facility that the locals are proud of, providing walkers and cyclists with alternative access to the hospital and nearby school. The scheme was a lot of hard work, but well worth it.”
“Marlborough attracts people who take care and have pride in their work. Several gangs of Operatives worked tirelessly for six months to reconstruct drainage networks, lay more than 3km of high quality bespoke granite kerbs and granite channels blocks to ensure positive drainage. The technical compliance, attention to detail and level of quality finish along the entire carriageway was exceptional”.
“We saw huge benefits in appointing Marlborough as our full service contractor and we’re impressed – they’ve delivered consistent high quality service and superior quality control across every project. Marlborough, provide us with a ‘one-stop’ shop solution – we get the same quality of service and better control across all aspects of the project.”
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