During early 2016, various areas of quarry side walls began to fail and collapse due to soft seams of sand being present.

One particular area began to course concern for the Geologists so design ideas were passed around over the coming months until a decision was made to design and build a protection rock buttress.

Pope Plant Ltd tendered and were awarded the works, which started in October 2016.

The works consisted of the importation of over 20’000 tons of Kent ragstone from another Hanson owned Quarry operated by the Gallagher Group.

The site had access restrictions which limited the importation rate and working area. The rock was tipped to stockpile and reloaded by Pope excavator in to a 30 ton ADT to transport to the failed area. The rock was placed into deep water by another excavator to construct a safe causeway to the proposed buttress area. Once the causeway was complete, the buttress was formed by a larger 30 ton excavator carefully placing the rock to avoid any further disturbance to the surrounding area.

The whole works from start to finish required constant monitoring for any change in conditions with revised RAMS implemented by Pope staff as required.

The works were completed within the given timescales and within budget.