The Clock Café Chalet Beachfront project was implemented to repair and reinstate damage caused by a significant retaining wall collapse in 2013, which left a row of Grade II listed beach huts at risk of complete collapse, and ultimately lead to their demolition. The client developed a design solution to reconstruct the wall, which was put out to tender, following which the popular huts would be replaced with new ones.
CAN proposed an alternative value engineered design at tender stage, enhancing the original solution whilst improving buildability. The alternative solution was to replace the cast in-situ concrete retaining wall element with a more cost-effective option that would have less impact during the construction phase. This consisted of a hybrid geogrid reinforced soil retaining structure and rebuilt facing to the wall, backfilled with compacted fill.
This required excavating the old wall to create a 3m width to construct the new wall within, stabilising this new slope with soil nails installed up to 8m deep into the face. The soil nails were installed top down as excavation progressed, increasing stability to reduce the risk of any further slippage, and linked to the layers of geogrid allowing the soil nails to contribute to the long term stability, in addition their temporary role in stabilising the face. The new wall facing was selected to closely colour match the existing old stone walls.
As Principal Contractor CAN also delivered the minor civils elements of the scheme, consisting of initial site clearance, removal of existing sewer and drainage systems, clearance of Japanese knotweed, excavation of slipped material and removal of the existing fences, access roads and footpaths. As part of the completion works CAN installed new drainage and sewer systems, tying into the existing sewerage which was also relined, reinstated the access road and footpaths and completed landscaping to return the site to former glory.
Duration: 20 weeks
Client: Scarborough Borough Council
Location: Scarborough