Maccaferri’s first PVC Gabion installation in the UK

In the late 1940s to early 1950s, the riverbank adjacent to Whitby Road began to experience gradual slipping and occasional collapses due to scour, posing a risk to the public highway. Initially, engineers considered using steel sheet piling to construct a river wall, with sufficient toe penetration and mass concrete anchor blocks. However, the estimated cost of £14,000 prompted a search for a more economical solution, leading to the decision to stabilise the area with Maccaferri Gabions.

At that time, gabions were widely used across Europe but were relatively unknown in the UK, except for a few isolated projects. Gabions are wire mesh baskets filled with stone, which can be stacked to create a wall or revetment. These baskets offer a quick and efficient way to convert loose stone into stable building units. The advantages of gabions include their permeability, which reduces lateral pressure from the water, and their flexibility, allowing them to adjust to significant displacement due to scour or settlement without losing stability.

The Gabion project was undertaken not only to cut stabilisation costs, which ultimately amounted to just £5,000 but also to evaluate the construction method for potential use in larger future projects. Additionally, gabions offered the benefit of easy extension in the event of future road improvements. The project involved constructing 600 cubic meters of gabions, arranged in four tiers.

In 1985, a gabion unit was removed from the anti-scour apron of a wall constructed by the Bristol City Corporation along the canal at Whitby Road, Bristol. This unit was among the first PVC-coated types used in the UK and was extracted to assess the condition of the PVC sheathing after more than 30 years of service.

All tests conducted on the 30-year-old wire yielded results comparable to those expected of the new material. This, along with the proven durability of the wall and the visual inspection of the mesh, confirms its suitability for use in saline and corrosive environments.

Seventy years after its installation along Whitby Road, the gabion wall has seamlessly merged with its surroundings, becoming a fully vegetated part of the landscape. The once-visible wire mesh and stones are now enveloped by plant life, with roots interwoven through the structure, enhancing its stability. Mosses, grasses, and shrubs thrive in the crevices, while larger plants and trees further anchor the wall. Initially designed for stability and cost-effectiveness, the wall now serves as a habitat for wildlife, demonstrating the long-term durability of gabions and their ability to blend into the natural environment.