Latest news with #Octavius'
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
UK's 'wonkiest' road where driving is 'impossible' and £5m investment to fix it
Following a major landslip caused by Storm Eunice, huge chunks of a road were broken up and cracked - pushing it 25 metres downhill and turning it into a playground for BMX enthusiasts A 'complex' mission to fix the UK's 'wonkiest' road has finally reopened, three years after a major incident. Huge chunks of the B4069 Lyneham Banks in Wiltshire were broken up and cracked back in February 2022 due to a landslip caused by Storm Eunice. This occurs when the ground becomes so saturated with water following long periods of rain that the earth becomes heavier - and water forces apart grains of soil so they no longer lock together. The landslide, which moved the road 25 metres downhill, meant the road was 'impossible' to drive on - and quickly became a playground for BMX riders. But, fixing the road wasn't as exhilarating for the council - who had to wait several months until the road stopped moving before they could even establish the best way to rebuild it. After assessing the full extent of the incident, Wiltshire Council drew up plans on several options to repair the road and prevent the landslip from reoccurring. Octavius Infrastructure then commenced works in July last year. The mammoth task cost around £5 million (including the design, construction, land cost, risk allowance, and further repairs) and involved pouring 650 cubic metres of concrete and 2,370 bags of grout into the ground. 1,500 cubic metres of excavated ground was re-used in the project, while more than 600 plants were planted in the area. After 7,500 tonnes of stone and 25,000 person-hours of construction, the road finally reopened to the public on Wednesday, April 2. The repairs have been designed to last for around 120 years. "We're delighted that the B4069 Lyneham Banks has finally reopened after several years of hard work to both restore the road and introduce measures to prevent the land from slipping again," Parvis Khansari of Wiltshire Council said back in April. "The closure has had a real effect on the local community and we thank them for their patience and understanding during the work. "I'd also like to thank our officers and the team from Octavius Infrastructure, who have worked hard to deliver this project on time and on budget. This reopening marks a significant milestone, ensuring safer and more reliable journeys for all who use the road." Chris Hudson, Operations Director of Octavius' highways business, described the project as a 'challenge' - pointing out that around 90 metres of carriageway had been lost due to the landslip. "The hillside was still creeping when we commenced work, tackling such ground conditions demanded some creative solutions," he added. "But we are about bringing people together, so it was great to help reconnect communities affected by this lengthy road closure."
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The complex operation to fix 'UK's wonkiest road'
After three years and one month, 7,500 tonnes of stone and £5m spent, the road dubbed 'the UK's wonkiest' has been fixed - but why did it take so long to repair? In February 2022 the B4069 Lyneham Banks in Wiltshire gave way, suffering a landslip after Storm Eunice. It was closed and slipped even more, causing huge cracks in the surface and leading to it becoming a playground for BMX riders. About 90 metres of the road was lost. That might not sound like much, but the fix has required some serious engineering - much more than just laying some tarmac. In fact, the tarmacking and painting only took about a week. But what went before was far more complex, not least because the road was still slowly sliding away. Wiltshire Council said it had to wait for the land to mostly stop moving before it could do much. It also had to get a lot of ground investigations done, something the council has said was "absolutely necessary" and means the same problem should not happen again. The new section of road and its supports has been designed to last around 120 years and took 25,000 work hours. Contractors Octavius did the work, which the company perhaps understatedly described as "a challenge", starting in July 2024. "The hillside was still creeping when we commenced work, and such ground conditions demanded some creative solutions," said Chris Hudson, operations director of Octavius' highways business. Massive excavators and cranes were needed - something made trickier by being in a rural area with limited access to the site. The repair crews also had extra issues with more wet weather and not wanting to make the slipping worse. "We came with an initial plan - the access changed that plan several times. We adapted," said Mr Hudson. More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire He explained that masses of earth had to be taken away to make the area more stable. Then a 108m-long huge retaining wall had to be put in place. Big concrete pillars called bored piles - 120 of them - were put into the ground. They go down 14 metres. To put that into perspective, most UK homes would not have foundations beyond a couple of metres into the earth. A large beam was then put on top of those and the slope above and below the road was reshaped with new drainage, using 560m of drainage channels and grates and 1,000 tonnes of stone counterforts. Altogether for the project, 650 cubic metres of concrete was needed and 2,370 bags of grout. There have been finishing touches too - 600 new plants now run alongside the road. The road would usually take around 5,500 vehicles a day, but for three years these have all been diverted through smaller villages. Locals have said they are thrilled to have it re-open and Wiltshire Council has thanked the community for its patience Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. UK's wonkiest road reopens after three-year closure Repairs approved for Wiltshire's 'wonky road' Residents concerned over B4069 Lyneham Banks repairs Wiltshire Council
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The complex operation to fix 'UK's wonkiest road'
After three years and one month, 7,500 tonnes of stone and £5m spent, the road dubbed 'the UK's wonkiest' has been fixed - but why did it take so long to repair? In February 2022 the B4069 Lyneham Banks in Wiltshire gave way, suffering a landslip after Storm Eunice. It was closed and slipped even more, causing huge cracks in the surface and leading to it becoming a playground for BMX riders. About 90 metres of the road was lost. That might not sound like much, but the fix has required some serious engineering - much more than just laying some tarmac. In fact, the tarmacking and painting only took about a week. But what went before was far more complex, not least because the road was still slowly sliding away. Wiltshire Council said it had to wait for the land to mostly stop moving before it could do much. It also had to get a lot of ground investigations done, something the council has said was "absolutely necessary" and means the same problem should not happen again. The new section of road and its supports has been designed to last around 120 years and took 25,000 work hours. Contractors Octavius did the work, which the company perhaps understatedly described as "a challenge", starting in July 2024. "The hillside was still creeping when we commenced work, and such ground conditions demanded some creative solutions," said Chris Hudson, operations director of Octavius' highways business. Massive excavators and cranes were needed - something made trickier by being in a rural area with limited access to the site. The repair crews also had extra issues with more wet weather and not wanting to make the slipping worse. "We came with an initial plan - the access changed that plan several times. We adapted," said Mr Hudson. More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire He explained that masses of earth had to be taken away to make the area more stable. Then a 108m-long huge retaining wall had to be put in place. Big concrete pillars called bored piles - 120 of them - were put into the ground. They go down 14 metres. To put that into perspective, most UK homes would not have foundations beyond a couple of metres into the earth. A large beam was then put on top of those and the slope above and below the road was reshaped with new drainage, using 560m of drainage channels and grates and 1,000 tonnes of stone counterforts. Altogether for the project, 650 cubic metres of concrete was needed and 2,370 bags of grout. There have been finishing touches too - 600 new plants now run alongside the road. The road would usually take around 5,500 vehicles a day, but for three years these have all been diverted through smaller villages. Locals have said they are thrilled to have it re-open and Wiltshire Council has thanked the community for its patience Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. UK's wonkiest road reopens after three-year closure Repairs approved for Wiltshire's 'wonky road' Residents concerned over B4069 Lyneham Banks repairs Wiltshire Council
