{"id":122310,"date":"2026-04-15T15:55:07","date_gmt":"2026-04-15T13:55:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/thickley-wood-footbridge-restoration-reinforced-soil-embankment-solution\/"},"modified":"2026-04-15T15:55:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T13:55:07","slug":"thickley-wood-footbridge-restoration-reinforced-soil-embankment-solution","status":"publish","type":"stories","link":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/thickley-wood-footbridge-restoration-reinforced-soil-embankment-solution\/","title":{"rendered":"Thickley Wood Footbridge Restoration Reinforced Soil Embankment Solution"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"container-full text-bocolor-block-white\">\n        <div class=\"row\">\n        <div class=\"col-12\">\n            <div class=\"container box-container\">\n                <div class=\"row\">\n                    <div class=\"col-12\">\n                        <h3>Challenge<\/h3>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>    \n    <\/div>\n        <div class=\"row\">\n        <div class=\"col-12\">\n            <div class=\"container box-container\">\n                <div class=\"row\">\n                    <div class=\"col-12 content\">\n                        <p>The Thickley Wood footbridge in Shildon, County Durham, is a historic structure dating back to 1857. Over the years, the bridge was extended multiple times, resulting in a complex seven-span configuration. The structure supports a popular public footpath used extensively by walkers and visitors to Thickley Wood, making it a key recreational link within the area. However, due to its age and the cumulative impact of past modifications, several sections of the bridge had deteriorated significantly and were no longer fit for purpose.<\/p>\n<p>A structural assessment by Network Rail identified that four of the spans, specifically spans 1 to 4, were redundant and in poor condition. To improve safety, reduce maintenance liabilities, and preserve the usable portions of the bridge, Network Rail proposed removing these spans. The plan involved replacing spans 1 to 3 with a reinforced soil embankment while refurbishing the remaining spans. Additionally, a new access ramp was required on the opposite side of the bridge, also to be formed using reinforced soil slopes. The project presented several engineering challenges, including working with variable Made Ground conditions and adapting an existing pier to function as a new abutment.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<div class=\"container-full text-bocolor-block-green\">\n        <div class=\"row\">\n        <div class=\"col-12\">\n            <div class=\"container box-container\">\n                <div class=\"row\">\n                    <div class=\"col-12\">\n                        <h3>Solution<\/h3>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>    \n    <\/div>\n        <div class=\"row\">\n        <div class=\"col-12\">\n            <div class=\"container box-container\">\n                <div class=\"row\">\n                    <div class=\"col-12 content\">\n                        <p>Maccaferri delivered a robust and sustainable solution through the design and construction of a reinforced earth embankment reaching heights of up to 6 metres. The system utilised Terramesh reinforced soil technology, combining structural performance with aesthetic integration into the surrounding environment. To ensure visual compatibility with the nearby \u201cLocomotion\u201d attraction, Mineral Terramesh was used in the lower section of the embankment to replicate traditional stone finishes. The upper section incorporated Green Terramesh, allowing vegetation to establish and providing a natural, environmentally sensitive appearance.<\/p>\n<p>The reinforced soil structure was stabilised using high-performance, BBA-certified Paragrid geogrids, ensuring long-term durability and load-bearing capacity. A critical aspect of the design involved converting an existing bridge pier between spans 3 and 4 into a functional abutment. To achieve this, a Parawall system was implemented to reduce lateral earth pressures acting on the structure. This system combined Paragrid geogrid reinforcement with Maccaferri\u2019s L-shaped steel mesh facing units, which served as permanent formwork.<\/p>\n<p>To further protect the integrity of the adapted abutment, a compressible polystyrene layer was installed between the Parawall and the existing pier, allowing controlled movement and preventing excessive pressure build-up. Given the challenging ground conditions, including layers of Made Ground, a basal reinforcement platform was also required. Maccaferri designed and installed this using high-strength 300kN Paralink geogrid, creating a stable foundation for the embankment.<\/p>\n<p>This engineered solution not only replaced redundant bridge spans with a cost-effective reinforced soil structure but also enhanced the longevity, safety, and visual appeal of the remaining bridge. The project demonstrates the effectiveness of reinforced earth systems such as Terramesh, Paragrid, and Paralink in infrastructure rehabilitation, particularly in complex environments requiring both structural performance and environmental integration.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <\/div><div class=\"wp-block-mac-container-block box-container\"><div class=\"container\"><h2>Used Products<\/h2><div class=\"row\"><div class=\"col-12 col-sm-12 col-md-12 col-lg-3 col-xl-3 col-xxl-3\"><div class=\"wp-block-mac-card-new-block block-latest-news-container\"><div class=\"card\"><div class=\"content-images\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"box-image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/Terramesh_0-1.jpg\" alt=\"TerraMesh\" title=\"TerraMesh\" \/><\/div><div class=\"card-body\"><h6>TerraMesh<\/h6><span class=\"abstract\">Maccaferri Terramesh\u00ae Family includes different facing options to build a Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) structures and Reinforced Soil Sl<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/products\/terramesh\/\" class=\"cta\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"TerraMesh\">View\n                           <span class=\"text\" value=\"\" \/>\n                           <\/a><div data-post-id=\"113675\" class=\"star \" title=\"Add to wishlist\"><span class=\"material-symbols-rounded starrate\">star<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><!--usedproducts-->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Maccaferri delivered a robust and sustainable solution through the design and construction of a reinforced earth embankment reaching heights of up <\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":121638,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","stories-category":[],"stories-tag":[],"class_list":["post-122310","stories","type-stories","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"products":[113675],"applications":[106318,106318],"solutions":[106504],"sectors":[106252]},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.0 (Yoast SEO v27.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Thickley Wood Footbridge Restoration Reinforced Soil Embankment Solution - Maccaferri UK &amp; Ireland<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Explore our Success Stories: Thickley Wood Footbridge Restoration Reinforced Soil Embankment Solution. From challenge to solution, see how we have helped our clients achieve their goals successfully.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/thickley-wood-footbridge-restoration-reinforced-soil-embankment-solution\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Thickley Wood Footbridge Restoration Reinforced Soil Embankment Solution\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Explore our Success Stories: Thickley Wood Footbridge Restoration Reinforced Soil Embankment Solution. From challenge to solution, see how we have helped our clients achieve their goals successfully.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/thickley-wood-footbridge-restoration-reinforced-soil-embankment-solution\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Maccaferri UK &amp; Ireland\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/thickley-wood-footbridge-restoration-reinforced-soil-embankment-solution\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/thickley-wood-footbridge-restoration-reinforced-soil-embankment-solution\/\",\"name\":\"Thickley Wood Footbridge Restoration Reinforced Soil Embankment Solution - Maccaferri UK &amp; Ireland\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/thickley-wood-footbridge-restoration-reinforced-soil-embankment-solution\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/thickley-wood-footbridge-restoration-reinforced-soil-embankment-solution\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Shildon-7\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-15T13:55:07+00:00\",\"description\":\"Explore our Success Stories: Thickley Wood Footbridge Restoration Reinforced Soil Embankment Solution. From challenge to solution, see how we have helped our clients achieve their goals successfully.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/thickley-wood-footbridge-restoration-reinforced-soil-embankment-solution\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/thickley-wood-footbridge-restoration-reinforced-soil-embankment-solution\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/thickley-wood-footbridge-restoration-reinforced-soil-embankment-solution\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Shildon-7\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Shildon-7\",\"width\":1600,\"height\":1200},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/thickley-wood-footbridge-restoration-reinforced-soil-embankment-solution\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Stories\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/stories\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Thickley Wood Footbridge Restoration Reinforced Soil Embankment Solution\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/\",\"name\":\"Maccaferri UK &amp; Ireland\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Maccaferri UK &amp; Ireland\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/logo-maccaferri.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/logo-maccaferri.png\",\"width\":152,\"height\":32,\"caption\":\"Maccaferri UK &amp; Ireland\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Thickley Wood Footbridge Restoration Reinforced Soil Embankment Solution - Maccaferri UK &amp; Ireland","description":"Explore our Success Stories: Thickley Wood Footbridge Restoration Reinforced Soil Embankment Solution. From challenge to solution, see how we have helped our clients achieve their goals successfully.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/thickley-wood-footbridge-restoration-reinforced-soil-embankment-solution\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Thickley Wood Footbridge Restoration Reinforced Soil Embankment Solution","og_description":"Explore our Success Stories: Thickley Wood Footbridge Restoration Reinforced Soil Embankment Solution. From challenge to solution, see how we have helped our clients achieve their goals successfully.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/thickley-wood-footbridge-restoration-reinforced-soil-embankment-solution\/","og_site_name":"Maccaferri UK &amp; Ireland","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/thickley-wood-footbridge-restoration-reinforced-soil-embankment-solution\/","url":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/thickley-wood-footbridge-restoration-reinforced-soil-embankment-solution\/","name":"Thickley Wood Footbridge Restoration Reinforced Soil Embankment Solution - Maccaferri UK &amp; Ireland","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/thickley-wood-footbridge-restoration-reinforced-soil-embankment-solution\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/thickley-wood-footbridge-restoration-reinforced-soil-embankment-solution\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Shildon-7","datePublished":"2026-04-15T13:55:07+00:00","description":"Explore our Success Stories: Thickley Wood Footbridge Restoration Reinforced Soil Embankment Solution. From challenge to solution, see how we have helped our clients achieve their goals successfully.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/thickley-wood-footbridge-restoration-reinforced-soil-embankment-solution\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/thickley-wood-footbridge-restoration-reinforced-soil-embankment-solution\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/thickley-wood-footbridge-restoration-reinforced-soil-embankment-solution\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Shildon-7","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Shildon-7","width":1600,"height":1200},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/success-stories\/thickley-wood-footbridge-restoration-reinforced-soil-embankment-solution\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Stories","item":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/stories\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Thickley Wood Footbridge Restoration Reinforced Soil Embankment Solution"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/","name":"Maccaferri UK &amp; Ireland","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/#organization","name":"Maccaferri UK &amp; Ireland","url":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/logo-maccaferri.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/logo-maccaferri.png","width":152,"height":32,"caption":"Maccaferri UK &amp; Ireland"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/stories\/122310","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/stories"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/stories"}],"acf:post":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/sectors\/106252"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/solution\/106504"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/application\/106318"},{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/prodotti\/113675"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/121638"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=122310"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"stories-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/stories-category?post=122310"},{"taxonomy":"stories-tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.maccaferri.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/stories-tag?post=122310"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}