Project Brief

As part of the CP6 programme, Network Rail has invested £23 million in rebuilding parts of Feltham station in south-west London.

The project included the installation of a second entrance on platform one, providing a step-free and improved bus interchange, longer platforms and a new bridge for cyclists and pedestrians to cross the railway.

The improvements delivered in partnership with Hounslow Council and the Transport for London (TfL) sees the reduction in dwell times at suburban stations and offer passengers easier journeys, creating a safer, more accessible station for the community.

The Feltham project has also meant the closing of the Feltham West level crossing, which was the second highest-risk crossing on the South Western Railway network.

Project Contractor, Osborne, working with consultants, Arcadis, have a collaborative long term framework (One Team Wessex) with Network Rail on London stations and knows the challenges that such projects have. Challenges include live working stations, tight spaces and deadlines as well as the opinions of those using the stations.

As such, they looked at various materials to offer health and safety benefits, which can be installed quickly with minimal maintenance at the end of the project and will look good in 5, 10 or 20 years and offer the best options for the whole-life project costs, including sustainability.

Project Solution

A large retaining wall was required to ensure both track and passenger safety and after looking at options, a Redi-Rock™ modular retaining wall was chosen.

The Marshalls precast natural stone-looking blocks already have Network Rail approval, having been successfully used before on major rail projects. Marshalls Civils and Drainage designed a solution for the embankment wall that was approved by lead consultants, Arcadis.

424 number Redi-Rock™ blocks were installed by Osborne that stand 14 courses high and without the need for a geosynthetic material or step-back blocks, which meant saving on space or the need for further materials, and saving on project costs and vehicle movements to the site.

Customer Comments

Arron Dolan Senior Project Manager at Osborne commented, “The successful outcome of this retaining wall solution highlights the importance of working collaboratively as one team with our suppliers and designers to minimising disruption to passengers and lineside neighbours.”

The Marshalls Civils and Drainage Specifications Manager, Steve Callow commented: “Using Lytag as a backfill material allowed us to build a 14-course wall and we overcame last minute soft spots found by using soil stabilisation below the foundations.”

“The BBA approved, CE Marked blocks are delivered ready to use, resulting in less disruption to services through quick and economical installation with little to no waste. The retaining wall looks great and is a credit to the installation team at Osborne and their supply partners.”