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Slope stabilisation was enough for most of the hillside at Glen Douglas in Argyll, Scotland, but one section was so large that engineers decided that a rock fall barrier was the most appropriate solution to protect the road below.
The potential size of boulders that could fall onto the road resulted in the design and specification of a 5,000kJ barrier standing eight metres high. It was supplied by Swiss specialist Geobrugg.
Work has recently been completed firstly with the piled and anchored foundations and then with the barrier erection itself. The BAM Ritchies team was led by Angus MacGregor and Rachel Long.
Mr MacGregor said: “I have worked numerous slope stabilisation, slope protection schemes and aerial rigging projects around the country but installing this monster is definitely one that has drawn together all the most challenging aspects of those previous works. There has been an exceptional team effort bringing this record breaking catch fence together.”
As part of the current contract BAM Ritchies has also been undertaking slope stabilisation using high strength active support mesh. Approximately 4800m2 of Tecco mesh and 1200m2 of Spider mesh is being installed.
The main contractor is Turner Estate Solutions and the designer is URS Infrastructure & Environment UK.
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