Innovative Retaining Solution for Hagley Railway Cutting
The Stourbridge to Kidderminster railway line intersects the Elan Aqueduct near Hagley, Worcestershire, where 300 million liters of water flow daily from Mid Wales to Birmingham. To facilitate water pipes supplying the Frankley Reservoir to pass below the railway, a section of the sandstone cutting was excavated and required reinstatement with steep, stable slopes.
Geoquest provided an innovative solution for the embankments, designing and supplying 76-degree slopes with a height of 10 meters. These slopes used steel grid baskets made from durable 10mm bars connected to galvanised steel soil reinforcement, ensuring a robust structure with a 120-year design life.
The benefits of Reinforced Earth® include reduced pressure on foundation soils and rapid construction close to critical infrastructure like railway lines without the need for temporary supports. Over time, nature has reclaimed the slopes, blending them seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, making the retaining structures nearly invisible today.
This project highlights Geoquest’s expertise in delivering durable, efficient solutions for complex infrastructure challenges.
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