Van Elle supports major programme of maintenance work between Axminster and Pinhoe, to prevent landslips and improve reliability

Ground engineering works have been completed to help reduce earth movement and the risk of further landslips on the rail line between Axminster and Pinhoe in Devon. Making the line reliable for customers and resilient to extreme weather and heavy rainfall.

The embankment on the exit of the tunnel, located near Honiton station has suffered several landslips over recent years and needed to be stabilised so trains can continue to run safely.

Two of Van Elle’s key divisional teams have worked together to deliver the crucial ground engineering work for the client, Octavius Infrastructure.

The team installed two king post retaining walls, consisting of bored concrete universal column piles to depths of up to 5.5m.

King post retaining walls are suitable for most earth retaining structures, they are a fast and cost-effective way of building permanent or temporary retaining walls, which are occasionally referred to as soldier piles.

The team utilised two number Colmar RRVs, which included a Klemm drill mast attachment to carry out the all-important works.

If you would like to learn more about our retaining structures, visit our dedicated page here: https://www.van-elle.co.uk/retaining-structures/