Lovers Walk, Brighton

The project occurred over two phases, the first began in 2020 when BAM Ritchies was first approached to stabilise an area of unravelling on an existing shotcrete facing which was covering a chalk cutting. The site was precariously placed between a row of terraced houses on Stanford Lane and the operational train depot, part of Brighton Railway Station. 

Following completion of the emergency works and a further investigation, the decision was made to move forward and stabilise the majority of the 20 metres high 200 metres long chalk cutting with COWI acting as the designer. 

Chalk - Newhaven Chalk Formation

The first stage of the solution involved emergency works to stabilise the area of unravelling, this included a small area of meshing and rock bolting as well as backfilling of the voided shotcrete facing using a thixotropic grout mix. 

The final engineered solution across the length of the slope, completed by BAM Ritchies in early 2022, included around 3000 square metres of TECCO G65/3 mesh with over 800 P33/50 spike plates installed and drainage paths also drilled.