Expert Marine Sheet Piling for Transformative Norfolk Project
Sheet Piling (UK) Ltd is bringing its expertise in marine sheet piling operations to bear on a major project deemed to be the single most important economic opportunity for a generation, for the county of Norfolk and port town of Great Yarmouth.
Sheet piling works started in December 2023, at the brand-new Operations and Maintenance Campus, at the southern tip of the South Denes peninsula, close to the Norfolk town’s deep-water outer harbour.
Sheet Piling UK, having been appointed by marine, highways and civil engineering contractors, Tilbury Douglas, has embarked on the first phase of works required to refurbish and upgrade a 190-metre-long river quay wall.
Our teams are both supplying and installing the sheet piles required for this marine upgrade project. This is necessary, because of the condition of the existing wall, which is beyond its service life.
Background to the marine upgrade project
The new O&M facility is set to be a major asset for those involved in Great Yarmouth’s offshore energy industry and will equip companies, who are putting down roots there, with new facilities, an upgraded quay space, parking, new vessel pontoons and a revised road layout.
It is intended to allow Great Yarmouth to capitalise on the offshore renewables sector off the east coast. It will also ensure it becomes an undisputed energy sector capital, thanks to this flagship development. Commissioned by Norfolk County Council, this £21.4m partnership programme is a collaboration between Great Yarmouth Borough Council and the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Its focus will be to attract and retain investment from offshore wind companies, to drive economic growth and job opportunities.
Already, even though the project is set to take 12 months to complete, leading European energy company, Vattenfall, has said it will make the site a base for its operations and maintenance teams working at the Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone. This alone is likely to create 130 jobs, with job longevity likely to be over 35 years. Attracting this sort of company will also stimulate local housing growth.
The marine sheet piling works being undertaken
Sheet Piling UK’s sheet piling works involve installing a new sheet pile wall one-metre in front of the existing quay wall. This requires the installation of 398 No. Arcelor Mittal PU32 sheet piles, each 18.85m in length.
The main sheet piles will then be tied back, using M95 diameter tie bars at 2.4m centres, within a continuous dead-man sheet pile anchorage system.
The sea-facing sheet piles are having a protective coating applied off site, so they can enjoy a longer design life but also be more aesthetically pleasing.
To install the piles effectively, within the constraints of the quay side, Sheet Piling UK has designed a temporary works solution. It has employed a cantilever system, comprising conventional piling trestles and gate beams.
Specific environmental requirements and chosen methodologies
Installation has other factors to take into account, many of which are environmental in nature. To comply with the Marine Management Organisation Licence, it is necessary to operate a soft-start arrangement, but also be continually mindful of mammal and bird life. There are also ebb tide restrictions in place, to prevent excessive silt from being generated upstream. In addition, there is a provision for a silt curtain around the marine sheet piling works.
Installation is being carried out by conventional methods, using a 90Te Kobelco crawler crane, with PVE 38M vibratory hammer and use of a CX85 impact hammer, where necessary. Bespoke, fabricated piling gates are also in situ.
Once the main sheet pile wall has been installed, the dead-man anchor wall will be added to the marine infrastructure being provided. This will be installed by Sheet Piling UK using a Movax Excavator Piling Rig. Waling beams will follow and then tie bars will be fitted, so as to complete the new quay wall construction.
A total of 22-weeks has been allocated to this project, which will help transform the Norfolk coastal economy.
Sheet Piling UK’s managing director, Andrew Cotton, says:
“We are delighted to handle yet another prestigious marine piling project and to return to the Norfolk coast. Playing our part in this transformative project is hugely satisfying and we are sure the completed development will bring numerous economic advantages to the region.”
Other enquiries about marine piling services, or inland water or flood mitigation services on offer from Sheet Piling UK, can be made by calling 01772 794141.
- Ends -NOTES TO EDITORS
Sheet Piling (UK) Limited is one of the UK's leading piling contractors. Owning and operating a comprehensive range of specialist piling equipment Sheet Piling (UK) Ltd also carry extensive stocks of new and used piles enabling rapid reaction to any urgent requirements or emergency situations.