40-Metre Roadside Retaining Wall Rebuild in Derbyshire

A complex structural repair completed safely, section by section, beside live traffic

⭐ Project Overview

This project involved rebuilding a 40-metre-long roadside retaining wall, standing at approximately 2 metres high, which held back a client’s garden above the road. The existing wall had begun to bulge and twist, raising understandable concerns about safety and long-term stability. Our task was to restore the structure without disrupting traffic or risking collapse during the winter months.

🚧 Working Safely Beside Live Traffic

Because this wall sat directly on the roadside, safety and insurance compliance were essential. Our team is fully covered with multiple commercial and national insurance policies, allowing us to carry out this scale of work legally and safely.

We installed our own roadside barriers and signage, setting up the area in manageable sections. This method allowed us to maintain the flow of traffic while keeping both the public and our team safe throughout the build.

🧱 Sectional Dismantling to Protect the Land

We could not dismantle the entire 40 metres at once. Removing nearly 80 tonnes of gritstone in one go—especially in the cold winter months—would have risked the retained land slipping or collapsing.

Instead, we adopted a structured, sectional approach:

• Remove a controlled portion of the wall

• Secure the excavated area

• Rebuild to structural integrity

• Move on to the next section

  
  

This prevented unnecessary disruption and protected the landscape from winter movement.

💪 Strengthening the Wall for Long-Term Stability

To guarantee the wall’s strength for years to come, we used mortar behind the face stones, adding extra stability and reassurance for the homeowner. Throughout the wall, we incorporated through-stones weighing up to 100 kg each to tie the structure together and dramatically improve long-term resistance to pressure.

Working with such large material required both skill and machinery. A mini digger and dumper supported the team in handling the heavier stones and managing the load efficiently.

👷 Teamwork & Timescale

With four experienced craftsmen on site, the project took three months to complete. This allowed us to maintain continuous progress while ensuring that every section of the wall was rebuilt to the highest standard.

The finished structure is now straight, secure and built to modern expectations while still respecting the traditional stonework style of the area.

🏡 A Safer, Stronger Retaining Wall

The restored retaining wall now provides the homeowner with complete peace of mind. It not only stabilises the garden above but also improves the appearance of the roadside, blending naturally with its surroundings.

📞 Need a Retaining Wall Repair or Structural Stonework?

Whether you’re dealing with bulging walls, collapsed sections or long-term structural concerns, we can help.