Greenbridge Lane Retaining Wall Re-construction

The project works entailed the dismantling and re- construction of existing dry-stone retaining wall over a 100 metre length. The existing wall supported the existing carriageway adjacent to Chew Brook, a tributary of the River Tame.

The project works entailed the dismantling and re- construction of existing dry-stone retaining wall over a 100 metre length. The existing wall supported the existing carriageway adjacent to Chew Brook, a tributary of the River Tame.

Environment Agency consent was achieved to establish a temporary cofferdam arrangement within the watercourse to construct the proposed foundation of the replacement retaining structure which was up to 6.0m high. Traffic management involving a temporary road closure and local diversion was established for the duration of the works.

The existing wall was reconstructed on a ‘hit and miss basis’ being dismantled in lengths no greater than 4 metres at a time, with temporary trench shoring installed to either side of each bay to maintain the stability of the adjacent carriageway. Once all the mass concrete works were completed, the face of the structure was clad with the previously set aside stone masonry to maintain the character of the surrounding Conservation Area.

This project was one of a number of retaining wall schemes undertaken for Oldham MBC for which Bethell was awarded the prestigious ‘Green Apple’ Award for Architectural Heritage in the Built Environment.