SoluForm was approached by the Canal & River Trust to offer a solution for the repair of a 20m collapsed embankment along a canal towpath in Bromsgrove.

Challenge

After years of heavy rainfall a retaining wall had failed and collapsed along the canal towpath in Bromsgrove, leaving the soil bank exposed and falling into the stream below.

SoluForm's client needed a solution that could be installed easily along a narrow towpath by hand, as there was limited space for machinery.

They also required a product that had no impact on the local ecology, as part of the installation was taking place in the small stream at the bottom of the bank.

Solution

SoluForm’s underwater and above water 32N bagwork with their biodegradable liners offered the perfect solution.

SoluForm's bags specifically weigh only 20kg each so they can be handled by a single person, and placed into position. They offer both below water and above water bagwork, so the initial build could be completed directly under water and then topped off with our above water bagwork.

After the area was cleared of the fallen bricks and debris, it was ready for our below water bags to be installed and pinned down. The remaining bagwork was then placed in a mixed stretcher and header bond pattern and soaked further, ensuring the water soluble liner would begin to dissolve and the concrete fully hydrate.

Outcome

There was no need for expensive plant hire, and instead was completed by hand with a small team. The solution was particularly beneficial for this project as the nearest road access was 500m from the installation.

The retaining wall was completed reinforcing the bank, and there was no impact to the local wildlife or the ecology of the water.

The original scheme was installed in late 2019. Images show the wall in January 2024.