Fusion Housing

The client: Fusion Housing. A not-for-profit making charity working to help individuals who are experiencing housing related problems and need support with learning and employment.

The challenge: Ken Mews in Bootle is a relatively new housing development from Fusion Housing. The housing development is immediately adjacent to an Industrial Estate sited at a higher level. A dividing wall between two properties had root infestation from trees and shrubs at the upper level causing the wall to heave and rotate. We were challenged to partially dismantle the wall in a careful manner taking into consideration its questionable structural integrity with particular attention to the safety of our staff.

The solution: Once the source of the problem was identified, namely the trees and foliage, these were removed and the root system ground out. We were then tasked to construct a series of buttresses to stabilise and alleviate the pressures on the existing wall consisting of brick piers with reinforcing bars tied to the foundations, the existing and new brickwork. They were filled with concrete thereby forming a solid dead mass to prohibit any subsequent movement. Our coordination and adherence to the highest safety standards means we can carry out repairs and maintenance while stores are open with hundreds of shoppers in store or using the car parks. Our knowledge of the estates means we can identify any business critical faults, potential hazards or health and safety issues before they become an operational issues thereby delivering value for money and business continuity for the company.

The benefits: We utilised our expertise across a broad span of disciplines and the client now benefits from a fully stabilised and inherently safe retaining structure for many years to come. The contract was completed on time and within budget.