Our GRP-manufactured ballast boards were used to replace old concrete panels of a boundary wall on an approach footpath near Hastings railway station in East Sussex.
The project took place at Hastings Wall, where the failing boundary was impacting areas close to neighbouring residential properties. The improvement works, undertaken by AW Rail for their client Octavius Infrastructure who were acting as Principal Contractor, enhanced safety along this established pedestrian route while maintaining access and minimising disruption throughout.
Composite ballast boards, made from glass fibre reinforced polyester (GRP), have the dual advantage of being inherently robust while also being significantly lighter in weight than concrete boards, ensuring easier handling that reduces on-site injuries as well as installation times. The GRP pultruded profile also provides anti-corrosive and anti-UV properties for an extremely long life, with no maintenance required over time.
The programme of works included the controlled removal of the existing concrete posts and panels that were reaching the end of their life, repair and preparation of the wall upstand, and installation of new resin-fixed and cast-in steel posts. Working in tight spaces, the lightweight GRP ballast boards (300mm x 50mm) — designed to allow the panels to be stacked one on top of another — were neatly fitted to deliver a cleaner, stronger, and modern fence line.
Vegetation clearance was necessary to gain safe access to restricted spaces and overgrown sections along the boundary. This included some ivy removal and tree limb trimming, with branches cut using chainsaws and hand tools from PASMA-certified scaffold towers. Limbs were lowered into the exclusion zone under banksman control and processed for disposal or ecological reuse. Resurfacing of any footpath areas disturbed during construction was duly completed and the whole area left clean and tidy.
All works were carried out in line with relevant standards, manufacturer guidance, and agreed construction details. The team were in constant communication with residents of neighbouring gardens and other stakeholders, advising of works being undertaken and accessibility plans.
The project delivered a restored and well-presented walkway for the local community and represented an excellent team-and-client engagement link throughout. The work was completed for Network Rail, who were delighted with the team’s professional and efficient delivery.
The UK stockist of our composite ballast boards who contributed to this project is Scott Parnell, while more technical information about the product is available by getting in touch with our engineering experts at CCS.
This article was originally published by Complete Composite Systems.