This project was on the site of the River Hamble Harbour Authority and Harbour Masters Office which provides services and manages the river for the benefit of all its users, as well as managing its safety, ensuring environmental protection; maintaining navigation marks; lights; and managing the moorings. The Harbour Master and his team all work from the Harbour Masters Office and it is the base for all operations.

The sea wall adjacent to the Harbour Masters Office needed extensive concrete repairs and following a feasibility study it was decided to complete the repairs by re-facing the existing concrete wall with an additional protective layer of reinforced concrete.

Hampshire County Council (HCC) contracted Suttle Projects through the Scopac & SCG framework to carry out the remedial works which had to be completed while the Harbour Masters Office remained operational. The site was in a congested and limited access environment, with a mixture of residential and industrial premises, a public car park, and a sailing club in the immediate area.

To maintain the use of the site, ensure public safety and control environmental impact, a construction environment management plan (CEMP) was implemented. A temporary sheet pile cofferdam was installed to enable the area being worked in to be a majority sealed enclosure, sea water could be pumped out as required, the cofferdam extended the tidal working window. This made the programme more efficient, and provided a clean and dry working area which was essential when working with concrete.

The old wall was prepared by removing all loose and damaged concrete, and rusting reinforcement bars. A concrete kicker was required for the tidal area to provide a suitable base for additional concrete facing.

Location: River Hamble Harbour Masters Office
Project Surveyor: Derrick Johnson HCC (Hampshire County Council)
Topographical Survey: HCC Landscaping Team
Engineering Consultant: Brian Hillman and Phillip Penman. WSP UK Ltd
Environment & Ecology Consultant: Alison Fowler of the Harbour Masters Office in consultation with Bournemouth University Marine and Coastal Biology Dept. Life and Environmental Sciences
Framework: Scopac & SCG Coastal Minor Works Framework
Contractor: Suttle Projects
Consents: Marine Management Organisation Marine Licence and Planning Permission from Fareham Borough Council

The West End Centre, Aldershot

Prior to each concrete pour, stainless steel reinforcement and extensive shuttering was installed in sections. The marine concrete was finished with a specialist textured rock panel 'Cheynne' supplied by Reckli. The new concrete wall incorporated additional marine habitats to the new facing, including crevices and rock pools to promote marine biodiversity. The Environment & Development Manager from the Harbour Office in consultation with Bournemouth University collaborated in the planning and overall design. The monitoring of the colonisation is ongoing by Bournemouth University students, with potential for publication in academic journals and guidance documents. The project has been entered into 2 categories – ‘Innovation’, and ‘small habitat' awards.

The project was completed successfully with excellent communication and sensitive programming. The use of modern techniques and equipment minimised disruption to the public, marina users, Harbour Office staff, and operators within the immediate vicinity.

The West End Centre, Aldershot
The West End Centre, Aldershot