Mumbles Marina Redevelopment: Car Park and Boat Launch Slipway
As part of the redevelopment of the Mumbles Marina, a car park and boat launching slipway were constructed adjacent to the existing coastal road. This project showcased the innovative use of Reinforced Earth® in marine construction, addressing unique challenges posed by the tidal environment.
The project required precise planning and execution due to the site’s location within a tidal zone. During high tide, sea levels could rise to within 1 metre of the wall’s final height, submerging up to 9 metres of the wall twice daily. The design accounted for an assumed 2.5-metre difference between the external sea level and the internal water level at ebb tide.
To meet these challenges, the wall was designed to rest on a bed of drainage material, ensuring stability and durability. Prefabricated footings were secured to the lower panels, eliminating the need for on-site concrete pouring in the tidal zone. Once the tidal zone construction was complete, the remaining structure was erected rapidly, similar to a land-based project.
The base of the structure was safeguarded against erosion with a 1.5-metre-thick stone embankment, providing long-term protection.
This project highlights how Geoquest is a proven and cost-effective construction technique, enabling rapid and efficient delivery of marine structures while maintaining durability and resilience in challenging environments.
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