Southern Promenade

The Southern Promenade in Whitley Bay is a 620m concrete blockwork seawall with shore access via integrated steps. During a storm surge event, the seawall was damaged across its full-length including loss of coping and wave return blocks. We were appointed to undertake repairs including infills to the seawall steps.

Through California Bearing Ratio (CBR) testing of the pavement area at the clifftop, we identified that the site was not suitable for a crane. This dictated that all lifts from the top level would have to be set back, necessitating traffic management measures through road closures.

As an alternative, our testing scenarios on the ramp access provided the data which evidenced we could access the area using a rotary telehandler, 6t dumper, and mini-concrete wagons.

Our scope of works included the design of the wave return which was initially shown as a pre-cast block. Our design solution cast this section in-situ, delivering benefits such as:

• Quicker installation time
• Enhanced safety and minimised stakeholder disruption through reduced vehicle movements
• Eliminated the need for craneage

We used a round-flex shuttering system along the new wall to follow the radius of the existing structure. Due to tidal working, we poured the lowest section with a concrete pump, but further assessment of discharge rates from the skips allowed us to place the concrete using this method as it provided more control over the pour discharge and waste produced from the operation.