Headwalls

Vegetated headwalls form a key part of our offering, encouraging natural infiltration and reducing the burden on traditional drainage systems. By integrating these features into water-sensitive landscapes, we not only manage runoff more effectively but also enhance biodiversity, stabilise soils, and reduce hydrostatic pressure, a common contributor to retaining wall failure.

For high-flow or flood-prone environments, gabions and gabion mattresses provide added reinforcement, particularly in areas requiring both erosion control and flexible adaptation to changing water conditions. These systems allow water to pass through while retaining structural integrity, making them ideal for headwalls, outfalls, embankments, and culvert outlets.

Our headwall solutions are suitable for a wide range of applications, including urban developments, infrastructure projects, ecological restoration schemes, and public realm enhancements. We work closely with consultants, local authorities, contractors, and environmental bodies to develop site-specific strategies that balance functionality with sustainability.

Combining proven structural performance with a fully vegetated finish, Rootlok is particularly well suited for use around headwalls, culvert outlets, and drainage channels, as well as in wider flood mitigation and watercourse management projects.

Conventional water infrastructure – such as concrete headwalls and channels – is effective in managing flows but often lacks ecological value or adaptability to changing environmental conditions. Rootlok offers a forward-thinking alternative, providing the structural integrity of a retaining wall with the visual and environmental benefits of a natural green solution.

The system uses interlocking, geosynthetic bags filled with engineered soil, forming a strong and durable structure that supports long-term vegetation.

In headwall applications, Rootlok delivers robust erosion protection at pipe outfalls and culvert interfaces, where fluctuating water levels and fast-flowing conditions can undermine traditional designs.

The system’s permeable face allows water to pass through, relieving hydrostatic pressure and reducing the risk of structural failure – a common issue with impermeable retaining structures.

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Rootlok also plays a key role in sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) by supporting natural infiltration and slowing surface water runoff. It filters sediment and pollutants, helping to improve water quality before it reaches nearby rivers, streams, or wetlands. This makes Rootlok an excellent choice for both urban and rural schemes, where water management must be balanced with environmental goals and regulatory requirements.

Whether installed as part of a new project or retrofitted to upgrade existing drainage infrastructure, Rootlok provides contractors, designers, and local authorities with a flexible, low-impact, and climate-resilient solution to modern water management challenges.

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Built from double-twist steel wire mesh and filled with graded gabion stone, these low-profile systems offer outstanding performance in high-flow, flood-prone, and ecologically sensitive areas. Gabion mattresses are designed to be installed along the base of rivers, channels, and outfall areas, where they help to dissipate water energy, protect vulnerable soils, and prevent undermining of infrastructure such as culverts and headwalls.

Their flexibility allows them to conform to changing ground conditions while maintaining contact with the surface, ensuring continuous protection even in areas of settlement or scouring.

Ideal for use in conjunction with gabion headwalls, Rootlok vegetated systems, and other green infrastructure components, gabion mattresses integrate seamlessly into larger drainage and erosion control schemes. They are frequently specified for applications including revetments, spillways, flood channels, wetland edges, and bank protection works, where both structural performance and environmental sensitivity are key.

The longevity and performance of gabion mattresses are directly linked to the quality of their components. That’s why we use hard-wearing, frost-resistant Class 6G stone, graded between 100–200mm, ensuring excellent interlock, drainage, and mass stability. Combined with durable galvanised or PVC-coated steel mesh, these systems provide long-term, low-maintenance protection, even in aggressive water environments.

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In addition to their technical benefits, gabion mattresses offer a natural, rustic appearance that blends well with the surrounding landscape. This makes them a popular choice in environmentally sensitive or publicly visible sites, including nature reserves, heritage settings, and recreational waterways, where hard engineering must also meet aesthetic and ecological standards.

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We provide end-to-end solutions for geotechnical and erosion control challenges, offering expertise across design, supply, installation, and manufacturing.

Our experienced in-house team ensures a seamless process from concept to completion, delivering sustainable, bioengineered designs tailored to each project while ensuring compliance with industry standards.

With highly skilled chartered engineers on board, we guarantee expert technical support and design services, enabling prompt and efficient responses to all your needs. By handling every aspect of your project in-house, we streamline operations, maximise efficiency, and enhance long-term performance.