2018
Radcliffe on Trent, Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire County Council
Via Highways
Maccaferri Ltd
Cycleway Ramp & Footing
Maccaferri Green Terramesh units have an integral erosion mat.
Construction of split level Green Terramesh to form cycle path.
Macdrain was used to the rear of the reinforced soil to intercept groundwater
Completed lower Green Terramesh slope starting to vegetate.
Stepped corner return detail tying into bridge abutment.
Completed upper Green Terramesh slope & footway/cycleway.
Challenge
In the summer of 2018, Maccaferri was approached by Nottinghamshire County Council’s consulting engineers, Via, to design and supply a reinforced soil retaining structure for a new shared footway and cycleway ramp in Radcliffe on Trent. The scheme formed part of a wider sustainable transport initiative to connect Radcliffe on Trent and Cotgrave via a greenway along the disused Cotgrave Colliery Railway.
The project required the construction of a ramp from Holme Lane up an existing railway embankment, presenting several engineering and environmental challenges. Restricted site access made traditional construction methods difficult and costly, particularly where the import of stone fill and export of excavated materials would be required.
A key requirement was the reuse of site-won marginal soils within the retaining structure to minimise waste, reduce transportation, and lower the overall carbon footprint. This aligned with the environmental objectives of the greenway project, which aimed to promote sustainability, reduce emissions, and enhance local biodiversity.
From a design perspective, achieving a compliant gradient for pedestrian and cycle access within a constrained footprint required both cutting into the existing embankment and building up levels from the base. This necessitated the construction of both upper and lower reinforced soil retaining walls, increasing the complexity of the solution.
Solution
Maccaferri proposed the Green Terramesh® reinforced soil system as a cost-effective, sustainable retaining wall solution for both the upper and lower structures. This system is widely recognised for its environmental benefits, structural performance, and ability to incorporate marginal fills.
Green Terramesh® units are manufactured from double-twist woven steel mesh and include an integrated erosion control blanket on the front face, angled at 70 degrees to create a steep, natural-looking vegetated slope. This design enables the structure to blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape, making it ideal for greenway and infrastructure projects focused on ecological enhancement.
The system incorporates an integral steel mesh tail, which reinforces the retained soil mass, providing long-term stability. A layer of topsoil is placed behind the face and seeded, allowing vegetation to establish quickly and contribute to biodiversity and visual integration.
To enable the use of site-won marginal soils, Maccaferri enhanced the design with additional geogrid reinforcement. This improved the engineering performance of the fill, eliminating the need for imported aggregate and significantly reducing construction costs and environmental impact.
Paradrain geocomposite drainage was also specified to provide efficient water management within the structure, preventing water build-up and ensuring durability and long-term performance.
This reinforced soil retaining wall solution delivered a low-carbon, environmentally friendly outcome by reducing material transport, reusing on-site soils, and supporting vegetation growth. The completed scheme provides a durable and sustainable access route, successfully linking Radcliffe on Trent and Cotgrave while contributing to the wider goals of sustainable infrastructure and green transport development.
Used Products
