Chilling Substation has been a part of the UK’s high-voltage power network for over 40 years. New equipment had to be installed at the existing facility to enable the export and import of up to 1000 MW of power (enough to power 1 million homes). Critically, all the work had to be completed within the existing site footprint without disrupting the surrounding area or local residents.

Strata’s StrataGrid™ and StrataWeb® were recommended by the client to build the slopes and grow vegetation, allowing an aesthetically pleasing design. Around the north-western, northern, and southern perimeters, the existing slopes were cut back into the Selsey Formation and regraded to face angles of 45–60 degrees, with the slope heights varying from 1.2m to 3.2m. In order to hold seeded topsoil on the slopes, Strata’s 150mm deep StrataWeb® cellular confinement system was used. It was held in place with fixing pins and anchor trenches at the toe and beyond the crest of the slope. There was also an area of fill along the eastern boundary, where a 1.2m high reinforced soil slope was designed using StrataGrid™.

Strata’s innovative solution not only satisfied the structural requirements for the steepened soil slope but also accommodated vegetation. This resulted in an economic, fast, and smooth construction process.