Project Description
East Midlands Gateway rail development is located close to the M1/M42 junction, adjacent to East Midlands Airport near Kegworth, UK. As well as good links to the motorway network and airfreight terminal, the development connects directly to the Castle Donington rail freight line. This provides direct access to the UK Network of RFIs as well as major ports.
The 50 acre intermodal rail freight terminal can accommodate up to sixteen 775m freight trains per day, along with container storage and HGV parking.
Creating 6 million sq ft of development plots required significant scale works. The 6 million m3 earthworks operation included the railway embankments.
The topography of the site meant that the rail connection had to include an embankment and the client approached Hydrock and Winvic to undertake the design and build.
The Challenge
In some areas, up to 25m of cut was required with embankments up to 7.5m high. The earthworks balance and economics meant that it was preferable to construct a mechanically stabilised embankment using a minimum quantity of fill, but this led to embankment slopes of 1:1.5. Such steep slopes are susceptible to erosion and require protection, particularly before vegetation establishes.
A geosynthetic system was required to provide the necessary long term erosion protection.
The Solution
ABG manufacture and supply a complete range of permanent and biodegradable soil erosion control products and Erosamat Type 3/20Z500 erosion control mat turf reinforcement system was selected for the erosion protection of the embankment slopes and pinned in position in accordance with ABG pinning design. ABG Erosamat Type 3 geosynthetic provides a 3D matrix that is ideal for hydroseeding. During germination the seeds and surface are protected by the polypropylene filaments of the Erosamat which encourages growth. As the roots establish they intertwine with the Erosamat to create a permanent and robust composite layer which provides permanent erosion control.
ABG Erosamat 3/20Z500 Turf Reinforcement Mat
The ABG Service
ABG provided technical advice and design assistance.
Contact ABG today to discuss your project specific erosion control requirements and discover how ABG past experience and innovative products can help on your project.