Gabions and Reno Mattresses help to stabilise coastline adjacent to airport

19/02/2003

Gabions and Reno Mattresses supplied by Maccaferri have been used to stabilise a 500 metre length of shoreline on the Hebridean island of Benbecula. Exposed to constant erosion by wave action and storm force winds, the coastline was slowly encroaching on the SW perimeter of the airport, a vital link with the mainland for those living on the island.

Designed and managed by Glasgow-based consulting engineers Pick Everard, the work was commissioned by Highlands and Island Airports Limited and completed by sole contractor Aggregate Industries UK Limited of Stornoway.

A Gabion wall and Reno Mattress revetment has been constructed along the 500-metre stretch of the most exposed coastal area. Preserving the natural shoreline, box Gabions and heavy Reno Mattresses filled with more than 8,000 tonnes of locally quarried stone have been used to stabilise the sand dunes. These heavy revetment mattresses, 0.5m deep, provide a natural looking solution to preserve the existing sloping shoreline while box Gabions have been constructed to form a low wave wall at the crest of the revetment to protect the runway and landing lights from encroachment by the sea.

The UK arm of the Maccaferri Industrial Group, headquartered in Italy, Maccaferri Ltd specialises in gabions, geotextiles, geogrids and geomats. In addition to a full range of products for retaining structures, slope reinforcement and erosion protection, the company offers an in-house construct, design and consultancy service.

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