Traditional retaining walls

Traditional retaining walls

Traditional retaining walls are rigid structures designed to hold back soil and prevent erosion, particularly in areas with significant elevation changes.

Traditional retaining walls are rigid structures designed to hold back soil and prevent erosion, particularly in areas with significant elevation changes. They are commonly used in infrastructure projects such as highways, railways, and embankments, as well as in residential and commercial landscaping to create level terraces.

These walls provide structural support, ensuring stability in areas where soil movement could otherwise lead to landslides or collapse. There are several types of retaining walls, including gravity walls, cantilever walls, and anchored walls, each suited to different site conditions and load requirements. 

In addition to these traditional options, gabions and criblok walls are widely used as retaining solutions. Gabions consist of wire mesh baskets filled with stones, offering a flexible and permeable structure that adapts to ground movement. Criblok walls, made from interlocking concrete or timber units, provide stability while allowing vegetation to grow between the spaces, making them an environmentally friendly choice. 

Traditional retaining walls are often chosen over other solutions due to their proven strength, durability, and ability to handle large loads. They are particularly beneficial in urban environments where space constraints require vertical soil retention rather than sloped embankments. Additionally, their solid construction offers a long-lasting solution with minimal maintenance, making them a reliable choice for engineers and developers.

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Why use traditional retaining walls?

droplet-solid-02Effective water management

Integrated drainage systems, such as weep holes or perforated pipes, help prevent hydrostatic pressure build-up that could otherwise compromise structural integrity.

pen-ruler-solid-03-1Customisable appearance

Can be built using decorative materials or finishes, such as stone cladding or textured concrete, to blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment.

sun-solid-01Weather resistant
Materials like concrete and plastic provide excellent resistance to extreme temperatures and prolonged exposure to moisture.

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Durability

Constructed from materials such as concrete, brick, or stone, these walls can last for decades with minimal maintenance, even in harsh weather conditions.

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High structural strength

Capable of supporting heavy loads and resisting significant lateral earth pressures, making them suitable for both small scale landscaping and large infrastructure projects.

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Versatility

Available in various designs, including gravity, cantilever, and anchored walls, allowing engineers to choose the most effective solution for different terrains and soil types.

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Our solutions

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Gabions are wire baskets filled with gabion stone and are commonly used for retaining walls, river erosion control, cladding, and free-standing walls.

Our Gabion and Mattress systems offer a highly adaptable, durable, and visually distinctive solution for a wide range of retaining and erosion control applications. 

Constructed from steel wire baskets filled with gabion stone, these systems are ideal for mass gravity structures, slope stabilisation, riverbank protection, cladding, and even freestanding feature walls. 

We offer a complete design, supply, and installation service, tailored to the unique requirements of each project. Our experienced technical team is committed to value engineering and will advise on the most efficient and economical solution based on site-specific conditions and design parameters. 

The performance and longevity of a gabion structure depends on the quality of both the wire units and the stone infill. That’s why we ensure all baskets are filled with hard, durable, and frost-resistant material, typically Class 6G stone, graded between 100–200mm in diameter. This provides excellent interlocking and ensures the mass and drainage properties required for long-term stability. 

Whether used for retaining walls, revetments, weirs, or erosion control, our gabions and mattresses are engineered to deliver reliable, long-term performance. All structural designs and analyses are carried out in accordance with BS EN 1997-1:2004 and BS 8002:2015, ensuring full compliance with the latest Eurocode and British Standard requirements.

Providing the following benefits

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Highly permeable

Allowing water to pass through freely, which helps reduce hydrostatic pressure and the need for additional drainage systems.

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Low maintenance

Gabions are incredibly low maintenance, with no need for ongoing treatments or repairs once installed.

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Manufactured in the UK

We are committed to supporting British manufacturing, with our products designed and produced right here in the UK. 

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Learn more about Gabions

Gabions offer a natural, rustic aesthetic that blends seamlessly into the landscape, making them particularly wellsuited for environmentally sensitive locations, public spaces, and heritage projects.

Widely used across the residential, commercial, industrial, and civil engineering sectors, gabions provide a practical and cost-effective approach to retaining structures, particularly where flexibility, permeability, and natural aesthetics are important.

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Criblok - MASTER-05

Gravity retaining walls constructed from a framework of interlocking components to create a grid like structure. The spaces within the grid are filled with graded stone to provide mass and stability. We have a range of materials to specify, dependent on project brief. 

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Timber Criblok retaining wall systems offers a sustainable, durable, and visually appealing solution for a wide range of earth retention applications. Constructed using PEFC-certified timber, every component is sourced responsibly and pressure-treated to ensure long-term performance, with an design life of up to 60 years.

Designed with modularity in mind, the Criblok system provides a cost-effective and versatile option for both small scale landscaping and large-scale infrastructure projects. Its flexible nature allows for the construction of retaining structures in excess of 12 meters in height, making it suitable for complex site requirements where both strength and appearance are important. 

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The Plastic Criblok retaining wall system is a modern, environmentally conscious solution for sustainable earth retention. Manufactured using 100% recycled plastic, it provides an excellent alternative to traditional timber and concrete systems—particularly in projects aiming to reduce carbon impact and promote circular economy practices.

Offering a remarkable 120-year design life, this system delivers unmatched longevity with minimal maintenance requirements. Its lightweight yet robust design makes it highly practical for a wide range of applications, especially where access is restricted or where ease of handling and installation is a priority. 

Providing the following benefits

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Speed of construction

Due to its lightweight materials the Criblok system enables faster installation times.

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Durability

Plastic Criblok systems are highly resistant to rot, corrosion, and insect damage, making them suitable for long-term use in wet or corrosive environments.

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Manufactured in the UK

We are committed to supporting British manufacturing, with our products designed and produced right here in the UK. 

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Learn more about Criblok

Gravity retaining walls constructed from a framework of interlocking components to create a grid like structure.  

The spaces within the grid are filled with graded  stone to provide mass and stability. We have a range of materials to specify, dependant on project brief.

Learn more

Experienced in-house technical team

DESIGN - MANUFACTURE - INSTALL

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.

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Want to know more?

If you have not quite found the answer you are looking for or would like to enquire about using our solution for your next project, why not get in touch?

One of our team will be happy to help!