FP McCann’s Toomebridge Depot Sea Defence System used in Redcar Flood Alleviation Scheme.
Project: Redcar Flood Alleviation Scheme
Client: Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council
Main Contractor: BPH Equipment
Products Supplied: Precast Concrete Stepped Revetment Units; Wave Walls; Coloured Precast Concrete Steps; 6m High Precast Concrete Walls and Flood Defence Walls
The Redcar Flood Alleviation Scheme involves protecting a 2.7km stretch of coastline stretch of coastline from Coatham Boating Lake in the west, along the esplanade in the centre of town and The Stray to the east.
For over three years prior to the scheme reaching construction stage Birse Coastal worked closely with the Environment Agency, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, designers, architects and suppliers during an extensive early contractor involvement (ECI) phase. The ECI process is a key part of developing high-quality sustainable solutions that can be constructed safely and with minimum disruption to the local community.
The site also sits within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) area containing the natural ‘Scar Rocks’ formation, which also provides an important feeding ground for visiting birds. As a result, the finished works and the method and timing of the work required close consultation and agreement with Natural England.
The scheme is split into two distinct sections that require different methods of coast protection to meet the required standard of protection against flooding.
The 1.5km esplanade will be protected by a specially designed precast stepped concrete revetment with a precast reinforced concrete curved wave return wall on the top and a steel pile or concrete beam at the toe, which provides scour protection.
The precast units are being manufactured by FP McCann’s Toomebridge Depot at its facility in Ireland and shipped by road via Heysham. As the new sea defence is also an integral part of the regeneration of the promenade, not only was a high-quality finish required but also the curved wave walls use a buff-coloured concrete to complement the finishes on the promenade and match the natural beach colour.
As well as replacing the sea defence in this section, Birse Coastal is working together with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to re-landscape the seafront, creating an enhanced visitor experience and amenity area for residents and tourists. This will include leisure and entertainment spaces, water play areas and quiet areas to enjoy the atmosphere and natural wildlife, and incorporates high-quality coloured precast concrete steps laid out to give the impression of a long ‘wave’ effect.
The first area of the site to be constructed on the scheme involved placing some of the largest precast units ever installed by Birse Coastal. These were the 6m-high walls that surround the old nightclub site, with the largest precast units weighing in at an impressive 28 tonnes. Detailed planning and sequencing of precast unit manufacture, delivery and storage with supplier FP McCann was required to ensure construction progresses smoothly.
The close working relationship with sister company BPH Equipment has provided significant benefits to coastal schemes through the use of its modern fleet of cranes and its expert operators.
One particular technological development came through discussion on a previous scheme with Blackpool Tower operators about materials and maintenance systems they use in the tower lifts. As a result, BPH Equipment has increased its use of multicore compacted wire rope on cranes instead of the three-core wire rope used traditionally. This, together with a forensic inspection regime and the use of a high specification rope lubricant, has significantly reduced the risk of corrosion and associated maintenance costs, which had traditionally been a problem for cranes working for lengthy periods in coastal environments.
The 1.2km Stray requires a slightly reduced standard of protection due to the natural sand dune system that forms a barrier between the roadside housing and the sea.
This area will be protected by repairing the existing groynes, overlaying the current sloping defence with a precast concrete mattress, constructing a short section of flood defence wall beside the paddling pool and creating a new promenade.
There are significant challenges to overcome while constructing the scheme, including programme constraints that limit both working areas and the times of year that areas can be accessed. For example, the town centre area needs to be kept free for tourists to use during the summer season and working hours are restricted at the west end of the scheme either side of high tide so as not to disturb visiting birds, which congregate in the boating pool area when the tide is in.
The £21 million project started in January 2011 and should be complete and ready for residents and visitors to enjoy in early 2013.
For further information on FP McCann’s bespoke walling solutions, contact TOOMEBRIDGE DEPOT 028 7965 0471 | sales@fpmccann.co.uk
