Fulham Football Club – Training Ground – Flood Relief Scheme

October has seen the Glenco team presented with an interesting challenge to alleviate the severe flooding on the site. The flooding occurred on a regular basis due to inadequate drainage to the hard landscaped areas which predominantly consisted of a series of soakaways which quickly became inundated during intense rain events or longer periods of rain. The large catchment area of the main car park was on a pronounced fall and served by one gulley – once this was overtopped torrents of surface water flooded adjoining areas of the site and even the goal keeping training area which was at the lower end of the site.

Glenco proposed a flood relief scheme which involved the installation of a full sized road gulley to catch the run off from the main car park. Also an existing gulley in the middle car park would be connected to the main surface water pipe and a new yard gulley installed on the other side of the middle car park to catch all the surface water run off from this area too. Finally the main surface water pipe would cut through another 20 metres of car park surface to pick up the storm water culvert. Finally the site would have proper connected drainage rather than relying on the far less effective soakaway system, that had resulted in large areas of standing water around the site after heavy rain events.

The main gulley was to be connected to a storm water culvert located on site, but more than 60 metres away. It would be necessary to excavate through 35 linear metres of soft landscape, under an existing astroturf walkway and then through 30 metres of car park surface, picking up the other two surface water gullies into the proposal. A careful fall of 1 CM per metre maintained an even depth to the trench and was carefully maintained with the laser level. Due to the preponderance of services running through the area, great caution was required while excavating and copious scans where made a recorded with cable avoidance tools. Some services were not marked on the plans and some did not show up on the CAT scan – water pipes in polyethylene wont show up so excavating was at all times precarious!

As the site is a high end facility, great importance is attached to the quality of the reinstatement too and also maintaining access to the various facilities used by the players and staff. Only small runs were attempted at a time and then these sections needed to be reinstated professionally to maintain access and to minimise any disruption. Part of the success of the scheme was to effect a very complicated drainage work without occasioning any inconvenience to the users of the facility! The tarmac will be reinstated on a concrete base and during normal usage will quickly blend in with the original car park and drive accesses.

This will have been an interesting challenge where the quality of what is under the surface will be as important as the usual quality that is brough to the surface by the Glenco team!

Radnor Close Resurfacing project required some logistal challenges in addition to a full plane off of the surface, regulating areas, crack sealing and a proprietary membrane, before the application of a bitumen emulsion tack coat and a machine laid 10mm Tuffdrive proprietary stone mastic ashalt surface course with polymodified binders.

Preparatory works included resetting two surface water gullies, one had collapsed and the other was lowered slightly to enhance the very flat falls. The surface was planed first witha 1m planer and on the second day 350mm smaller planer with mechanical sweeper was used for the less accessible areas and the entrance crossover which was Council owned which complicated proceedings. This resulted in the need for a traffic management scheme to move pedestrians safely into the carriageway with ramps and barriers. Due to the busy nature of the access and the extent of the trough traffic we needed to book a 40 metre section of parking suspension for our low loaderer, contractor vehicles and delivery lorries to safely access the site.

The new tarmac surface, with attendant thermoplastic line marking has really given a lift to the appearance of Radnor Close and the great contrast from the before and after pictires has certainly emphasised how Glenco brought Quality to the Surface!

As Civil Engineers and surfacing specialists we at Glenco Civil Engineers get the above question asked allot and specially nowadays when the weather is changing. Every winter, roads across the United Kingdom face a seasonal menace: potholes. While potholes can appear year-round, their numbers and severity spike as temperatures drop, particularly in high-traffic areas. But what exactly causes this? and why are UK roads so vulnerable during winter?
1. The Freeze-Thaw Cycle: Nature’s Pothole Maker
The UK’s climate—marked by frequent rain and fluctuating winter temperatures—makes it an ideal breeding ground for this freeze-thaw process. Roads that may have small cracks or slightly weakened areas become particularly vulnerable, leading to an increase in potholes as the freeze-thaw cycle plays out over the winter months.
2. Increased Moisture from Rain and Snow
The UK’s famously wet winters add another layer to the problem. Rain, sleet, and snow mean that UK roads are constantly exposed to moisture. With nearly 150 days of rain per year on average, water is almost always present on the roads in winter, seeping into cracks and laying the groundwork for future potholes. Snow and ice can worsen this effect by melting and refreezing in cycles that speed up pothole formation.
3. Heavy Traffic Strains and Weakens Roads
The heavy volume of traffic on UK roads, particularly on motorways and city streets, is another significant factor in pothole formation. Larger vehicles like buses, trucks, and delivery lorries place additional stress on the road surface. As these vehicles pass over areas where water has weakened the asphalt, the added weight and pressure can lead to a quick deterioration of the road surface.
4. De-icing Salt and Its Impact
To keep roads safe, local authorities spread de-icing salts to prevent slippery surfaces. However, road salt can accelerate the deterioration of asphalt. As salt melts snow and ice, it forms a saline solution that can penetrate the asphalt’s pores. Over time, salt can degrade the binding agents in asphalt, causing it to crack and erode more easily.
In winter, this creates a perfect storm: roads become both more porous and more susceptible to freeze-thaw damage.
Long-Term Solutions to Winter Potholes
Addressing the pothole problem requires proactive measures to strengthen the roads before winter arrives. Here is what Glenco Civil Engineers would recommend:
1. Timely Repairs and Resurfacing
Repairing minor cracks and fractures early can prevent them from developing into full-fledged potholes. Regular inspections and maintenance of high-traffic roads help identify problem areas before the freeze-thaw cycle can worsen them. Resurfacing solutions, such as high-quality tarmac or asphalt overlays, add a fresh protective layer to roads, giving them added durability during winter months
2. Quality Materials
Using high-grade asphalt with better water-resistant properties can go a long way in slowing down the formation of potholes. Modified asphalts that are more resistant to moisture and freezing temperatures are a valuable investment, particularly in climates like the UK’s.
3. Improved Drainage
Ensuring proper drainage systems along roadways can prevent water from pooling on the surface, reducing the amount that seeps into cracks. This is a key factor in mitigating the impact of the freeze-thaw cycle. In areas with high traffic and frequent winter weather, designing better drainage solutions can make a substantial difference.
So, the next time you spot a pothole on a cold, rainy day, remember that it’s the result of natural cycles and traffic pressures. It also serves as a reminder of why regular road surfacing, tarmacking, and proper drainage are essential investments in our infrastructure.