Groundforce Shorco supplied 19 Premier Trench Boxes to support the installation of a robust groundwater storage culvert at the new Medway Maritime Academy in Strood, Kent.
Gallagher Group needed a safe, reliable shoring solution for a 35m-long, 4m-wide excavation. The project involved installing precast concrete sections, each weighing 14 tonnes.
Project Challenges
The project involved constructing a 200m-long stormwater attenuation culvert from 76 precast concrete segments. Each segment measured 3m wide by 2m deep, demanding careful sequencing due to restricted site space and limited storage capacity.
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Excavations reached depths of up to 4m.
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Waterproofing works required full access around the culvert.
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High clearance was essential beneath struts to allow for culvert assembly and tanking.
Our Trench Box Solution
To overcome these challenges, Groundforce Shorco supplied its 4m-deep Premier Trench Boxes, known for its strength, speed of installation, and generous internal working space.
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A total of 19 Premier Trench Boxes were supplied, used in two contiguous 35m sections of excavation.
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Deliveries were phased in line with Gallagher’s progress, ensuring safe handling on the tight site.
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Edgesafe safety barriers were fitted to the trench boxes to reduce fall risks during installation.
The Premier Trench Box design, with a maximum 2.45m strut clearance, proved vital for enabling culvert waterproofing and final assembly, something that standard trench boxes could not have achieved.
Results & Benefits
By sequencing deliveries and reusing trench boxes across the 200m excavation, disruption on site was minimised and progress maintained. The addition of Edgesafe barriers improved site safety, while reduced excavation width helped cut backfill volumes and costs. Overall, the trench box solution enabled Gallagher to complete the installation on programme and to the council’s specification.
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Provided a safe, compliant excavation solution for deep culvert installation.
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Allowed full access for waterproofing before backfilling.
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Enabled high productivity, with multiple boxes in use simultaneously.
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Reduced disruption on site through phased deliveries and relocations.
“It was made clear that Gallagher needed high clearance under the struts to make room for waterproofing the culvert. The Premier Trench Box easily fulfils this requirement,” says Lee Bodkin, Regional Manager, Groundforce Shorco.
Conclusion
By choosing Premier Trench Boxes, Gallagher Group successfully delivered a robust and flood-resilient water management system for Medway Maritime Academy. The project demonstrates how trench boxes provide not only safety and efficiency, but also the flexibility required for complex phased excavations.
Explore our full range of Trench Boxes to find the right solution for your next project.