Hartlepool Borough Councils Sea Defence Wall build reaches 1st milestone

Poundfield Product’s contract to manufacture and supply some 4000 GRP reinforced concrete decorative panels and associated copings for the construction of new sea defences at Hartlepool Headland has reached an initial milestone with the installation of the first 500 units.

The contract, awarded by Hall Construction Services, involves a 2 km stretch of coastline where the existing 100 year old sea wall is being protected and strengthened on behalf of Hartlepool Borough Council.

With the first 500 concrete panels now delivered and with their installation on-going, Hall Construction has been able to place the first of over 1000 coping units on top of the new wall which will be topped with a new handrail system.

When the original delivery schedules were set, based upon site environmental and planning restrictions, it was anticipated that installation work would have to cease at the end of October 2015. However, because Hall Construction has been able to continue beyond the original suspension date thanks to careful programming to enable works to be carried out that did not impede the planning restrictions, Poundfield has continued to supply concrete panels to allow the contract to pass the 500 milestone. In addition, Poundfield has cast several ‘site specials’ during the initial construction phase, also helping to keep the project well on track.

Commenting on the relationship between the two companies, Hall Construction’s senior project manager Phil Flett said: “Based on our experience to date, we are totally satisfied with the service received from Poundfield. The co-ordinated and open approach between all parties involved has been of great benefit to the organising and tailoring of the work to enable an efficient implementation of the project and we look forward to this co-operation continuing over the remainder of the contract.”

Hartlepool Borough Council’s principal engineer, Brendon Colarossi, who is overseeing the project has also confirmed the Council’s delight with the progress achieved and the quality of the decorative concrete panels involved. “We really appreciate the effort and commitment of both Hall Construction and Poundfield Precast,” said Mr. Colarossi, “and their willingness to work closely with us as work progresses to incorporate and refine design details when necessary.”