Dawlish sea defences

Innovative concrete mixes designed, developed, and delivered by Hanson UK and BAM Nuttall have helped to restore and protect a key rail route from storm wave damage and erosion.

The Great Western Main Line is the only railway line running to the south west of England and is a vital transport link. Following the collapse of part of the sea wall at Dawlish, Devon, due to storm damage, several sections were identified as needing urgent repair. 

The £1.6 million contract to supply an upgrade to the seafront included a high-specification underwater concrete and a new lower carbon product, which helped reduce the carbon impact of the concrete by two-thirds. This, in turn, helped client Network Rail meet its ambition of limiting the carbon footprint of the project and reduce the chances of it contributing to further climate change.

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