MacArmour & SteelGrid

The A465 Heads of the Valleys road is a critical infrastructure route in South Wales, forming a key transport corridor between West Wales, the Welsh Valleys, and the English Midlands. Connecting the M4 at Neath to major hubs such as Abergavenny and Hereford, the A465 plays a vital role in supporting regional economic growth, logistics, and tourism. However, the original road, constructed in the 1960s, was no longer fit for purpose. Designed as a single three-lane carriageway, with two lanes in the uphill direction and one downhil, it created significant traffic inefficiencies. Limited road width restricted traffic flow and reduced safe overtaking opportunities, leading to congestion and increased journey times. A regional traffic study identified these challenges as early as 1990, highlighting serious safety concerns. Poor visibility in several sections of the route, particularly around bends and junctions, contributed to a high concentration of road traffic accidents. These issues were further compounded by the road’s ageing design, which could not accommodate modern traffic volumes. Recognising the strategic importance of the A465 for economic development, the Welsh Government launched a long-term road improvement programme. The upgrade was essential to enhance transport connectivity, improve road safety, and support regeneration across the Heads of the Valleys region. Improved infrastructure would also boost access to employment, services, and key investment zones, including the Ebbw Vale enterprise zone.

Discover more

The A82 trunk road along Loch Lomond in Scotland is one of the country’s most important transport routes, connecting key regions and supporting both local traffic and tourism. However, at Pulpit Rock, traffic flow had been severely restricted for many years due to a single-lane section controlled by traffic lights. This long-standing bottleneck caused significant congestion, delays, and safety concerns on this critical route. The geographical constraints of the site presented a major engineering challenge. With steep rock faces on one side and Loch Lomond on the other, conventional road widening was not feasible. To address this, a solution was required that would increase road capacity without compromising the surrounding environment or stability of the rock slopes. The chosen approach involved constructing a new road lane out over Loch Lomond, eliminating the need for traffic light controls. The scheme included the development of a new viaduct running parallel to the loch, widening of the existing carriageway to the north, and the creation of a continuous two-lane road. This required complex civil engineering works in a highly constrained and environmentally sensitive location.

Discover more

Llanfoist, a village near Abergavenny in Monmouthshire, lies on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park and is closely associated with the River Usk, which flows for 63 miles to Newport. Running through the scenic Usk Valley, the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal follows a similar route to the river but, at Llanfoist, is positioned along the side of a wooded hillside. At this location, the canal sits on the crest of an embankment that began to show clear signs of structural instability. Progressive erosion of the embankment face further increased the risk, raising concerns about the long-term stability of the canal infrastructure. Given the canal’s heritage importance and its role within the local environment, immediate stabilisation works were required. The Canal & River Trust, working alongside specialist contractors CPC Civils and Vertical Access, identified the need for a robust embankment stabilisation solution. A soil nailing system was selected to provide deep-seated ground reinforcement. However, to ensure full protection, a high-performance surface stabilisation system was also required. This system needed to connect soil nail heads while offering high puncture resistance and protection against rockfall and debris caused by ongoing surface erosion.

Discover more