Groundworks solution supports Severn fish migration

Lincomb Fish Pass, Stourport-on-Severn

Project Overview

Location	Lincomb Fish Pass, Stourport-on-Severn
Sector	Water
Products	250Te End Unit Supershaft Plus

When civil engineering contractor Kier was constructing a fish pass as part of major environmental works on the River Severn, we supplied a bespoke groundworks support package. During the course of the works, this package had to respond to the design changes imposed by the local geology, as well as the load conditions and sequencing of the works.

The challenge

Limited Stability

Shallow pile penetration reduced ground support, creating risks to excavation safety.

Hard Bedrock

The presence of a siltstone layer made it difficult to drive sheet piles to the required depth.

Design Disruption

Unexpected ground conditions forced last-minute changes to the planned temporary works scheme.

Our solution

Our temporary works solution for the Lincomb Fish Pass project centred on the use of a robust cofferdam design, enabling the safe propping and excavation of the 75-metre-long structure. We supplied Super Shaftbrace frames with continuous walers running the full length of the excavation, supported by 21 Super Bracing Struts, along with hydraulic pumps and ancillary equipment.

This high-capacity system ensured the sheet pile walls were securely retained while excavation and construction took place. As work progressed, an unexpected layer of siltstone bedrock prevented the piles from reaching the intended depth, prompting our engineering team to quickly adapt the scheme by introducing a revised lower-level support arrangement.

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To maintain flexibility during construction, our workshops produced bespoke sacrificial waler sections that could be welded to the sheet piles and safely removed later without causing damage. This adaptability proved vital when on-site conditions required rapid design adjustments to maintain safety and progress.

By working closely with Kier’s project team, we swiftly modified the propping arrangement from a single line of higher-level props to a dual-level system, ensuring continued structural stability. Our collaborative and responsive approach helped to minimise disruption, safeguard workers, and keep the project on track—ultimately supporting the successful delivery of this vital environmental restoration scheme.

Get in touch

“A solution was required at Lincomb Fish Pass to resist ground pressure before the base slab was installed to achieve the required strength. Mabey Hire came back to us with the best solution. They were very quick to respond and worked collaboratively with the project team to ensure safety and minimise any project delays.”

Richard Leigh

Project Engineer/Kier Infrastructure