Our client contacted us regarding a dry-stone wall on a rural property they had just purchased. As they parked their vehicles next to the wall they were concerned about the bulging in some places. We arranged a site visit to discuss their concerns. On our site visit we investigated the full length of wall and found several weak points due to various trees growing through the wall. A decision was made that our client would feel safer parking their vehicles alongside the wall if it was taken down and rebuilt. We discussed various options on how best to rebuild the wall.

Options that were discussed were; Dry-stone walling, concrete block on flat and stone faced using original stone and Gabion baskets. Our client opted for Gabion baskets as they viewed that as the safest and more environmentally friendly solution as no cementitious products would be used. This project was another that had restricted access due to it’s rural location. It was accessed via a single-track lane with just enough width and height to get our suppliers lorry through with the mirrors folded in! The nearest point where materials could be safely unloaded was around 250m away from the property, so all materials were handled numerous times as they needed to be loaded onto our dumper, unloaded at the property and then into place ready to be used. We began by removing the existing dry-stone wall using our excavator and saving for re use facing the baskets. We opted to use Heli coils to secure the corners of the baskets instead of the traditional method of tying the corners with tying wire. This sped up the construction of the baskets no end and by dinner time on day one many of the baskets were constructed.

Baskets were set in place on a bed of aggregate, so all the bottom row of baskets were level. Each basket was tied to its neighbour using tying wire and a straining wire tied back to front to stop the faces of the baskets bulging. The baskets were faced using the original stone from the dry-stone wall, we filled most of the rear of the baskets with waste stone that was excavated during the demolition of the dry-stone wall, we also needed to bring onto site some recycled aggregate to top up baskets where necessary. The other two levels of baskets were set approx. 100mm back from the face of the basket below, they were faced and filled using the same method. A post and rail set on top of the lower row of baskets to act as a safety barrier. All excess stone and materials were removed to leave the site clean and tidy.