The Grade 1 listed Cockermouth Castle was a 10th Century Norman stronghold. Located on the River Derwent in the county of Cumbria, the castle was in danger of ruin and required immediate attention. Heavy rain and flooding occurred in December 2015 This triggering erosion of the slope, resulting in the castle being at risk of collapse into the river below.
CAN undertook this work as a design and build contract.
CAN’s design needed to ensure that techniques used, provided a sympathetic and safe solution to strengthen and protect the bank.
The team braved all types of weather, rising river levels and a precariously balanced castle buttress, in order to complete the job, installing inclined drains, 200 soil nails and over 840m2 of Geobrugg’s new small diameter TECCO® G45/2 mesh.
This fine blanket of high-tensile steel wire facing mesh is barely visible, but the reduced mesh width will efficiently stabilise the fine-grained soil whilst allowing the slope to naturally colonise with vegetation and most importantly, will maintain the structural integrity of the castles foundations.
The project was carried out carefully and safely. Not to mention, is was completed in time for the Lord and Lady to spend their Christmas in the castle, rest assured that it’s not going anywhere in a hurry.
Duration: 8 weeks
Client: Savills
Location: Cumbria