Ladies Walk, Southwold – scenic costal precast

In April 2013, Poundfield Precast was approached by Kier Construction for a very special project in Southwold, Suffolk.

The century old, scenic costal pathway known as Ladies Walk was shut by Waveney District Council amid safety concerns over three years ago, and until now a new design for its replacement could not be agreed upon.

Together with Kier, the local council and structural engineers, Poundfield agreed a design was agreed that was 100% precast. One of the biggest issues we faced was the requirement of an exposed aggregate finish to the wall and walkway on the retaining wall sections of the pathway. Following a vast amount of trial units using various types of stone, and council officers walking bare foot over them, a natural stone sourced locally to the site was approved by all parties.

With a commitment to manufacture and deliver all 218 units to site by Christmas 2013, Poundfield Precast commissioned a local steel fabricator to make the six bespoke moulds that would be needed, and casting commenced on the first day of October.

True to our word, we finished casting during the second week of December, three weeks ahead of schedule.

We feel very proud and privileged to have been involved in such an iconic project within our own county of Suffolk. To know we have worked with local suppliers and procured materials locally has shown our approach to sustainability is always at the forefront of our projects.

Ladies Walk was opened to the public in January 2014.