Accredited Supplier
Staffordshire, WS7 3GG sales@geogrow.co.uk 01543 224800 www.geogrow.com
About GeoGrow Ltd
GeoGrow are specialists in geotechnical engineered solutions for erosion control and earth retention, providing green solutions for construction and landscaping infrastructure projects. As the manufacturer, designer, and installer of the Rootlok Vegetated Wall System, we provide a green solution that reinforces facing walls and slopes for both land and water applications. Not only does this system enhance the natural environment, but it also promotes real biodiversity net gains. At GeoGrow, we offer a comprehensive supply, design, and installation service that is tailored to meet your specific needs. Alongside this, GeoGrow provide a hydroseeding and environmental spray-on service, offering green solutions for addressing the persistent environmental challenges of erosion, odour, land reclamation, waste cover and seeding. Utilising the hydroseeding process, we deliver fast and cost-effective erosion control and vegetation for various types of applications such as large open spaces, steep slopes, landfill and waterways. Our service also incorporates Organix biotic soil amendment, an ideal technique for replenishing nutrients in depleted soils, eliminating the need for importing excessive amounts of topsoil material. We take pride in being a contractor that offers environmentally friendly products and services, advocating for a more sustainable approach to infrastructure development.
Areas covered
National (Eng/Wales/Scot/NI), East Anglia, Midlands, North Thames, North West, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South Thames, South West, Wales, Yorkshire North East
Types of work undertaken
- Seeds (unlimited)
- Compost, Mulches and Soil Conditioners (unlimited)
- Technical Advisory And Recruitment (unlimited)
- Turf Grass and Artificial (unlimited)
- Design Facility (unlimited)
- Domestic (unlimited)
- Machinery (landscape and horticultural) (up to £100,000)
- Water Feature and Irrigation Equipment (unlimited)
- Ground Reinforcement Systems (unlimited)
- Commercial (unlimited)
- Surfacing Materials (unlimited)
- Soft Landscaping Materials (unlimited)
- Fencing Materials (up to £5,000)
Testimonials
Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme, Phase 2
read more"Part of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Phase 2 project involved the requirement to repair a 60m stretch of river-side wall that had previously collapsed in “Zone 11” prior to the development of the scheme. Geogrow were approached for a solution that would maintain the steep profile of the river bank whilst providing a vegetated face in line with the project aim to enhance riverside wildlife habitat. Geogrow designed a reinforced earth solution incorporating Rootlok bags on the exposed face which was then seeded with a wildflower mix. Geogrow provided the labour and plant resource to construct the reinforced embankment and supplied the reinforcement and facing material. The work was completed efficiently and in line with the required programme and in compliance with the specification. Geogrow developed a safe system of work that was written into method statements and risk assessments that ensured the safety of their workers while constructing in a riverside environment, including the provision of controls for working at height. The embankment was constructed in a method that was fully in compliance with these documents. A comprehensive O&M manual together with as-built drawings was provided in a timely manner upon completion of the work. The Rootlok face successfully vegetated during the subsequent growing season resulting in an end product that became one of the show pieces for Zone 11."
- Leeds Council, Leeds, West Yorkshire
Projects
Slope Stabilisation in Bedworth
Slope Stabilisation
Nuneaton and Bedworth BC recently asked GeoGrow to advise on a suitable solution for a slope stabilisation project. Due to continuous erosion, the council were concerned that the failing embankment would slip into the building below. The restricted space and access to the area was also limiting the options available. The right solution was required urgently to avoid the likely event of a total landslip.
The Solution
GeoGrow put forward a design for the scheme that included a 1.26m near vertical wall to retain a 4m high slope. This will stabilise the slope and provide effective erosion control. Rootlok is a flexible system that small teams can install easily with no machinery required. The system will provide long-term protection to the embankment and will eventually achieve full vegetation cover.
Access around the building is extremely narrow and as such made it difficult to carry the bags through. During installation the contractor used conveyor belts to transport the bags through the gap to the build area.
The contractor delivered a great installation while facing various obstacles and working in such a confined area. The slope is now stabilised and the area accessible to users.
Site Boundary Wall (NHBC Scheme)
Taylor Wimpey (East Anglia) invited GeoGrow® to provide a Rootlok® retaining wall solution for two perimeter walls for their brand-new development of 288 high-quality homes in Manningtree Essex.
The site boundary bordered existing residential back gardens at a high-level and to enable Taylor Wimpey to gain their back garden plot sizes the perimeter walls needed to have as small a footprint as possible, with the walls as high as 6M it was going to be a challenge not only in the design but for the overall installation.
GeoGrow provided a full formal design inc PI in accordance with the relevant British Standards & Euro Codes for an earth reinforced retaining structure incorporating geogrids with various backfill lengths, where the wall required a small footprint the back slope was stabilised using 3.5M long galvanized steel pins. StrataGrid BBA certified SGU60 geogrids were installed with Rootlok used as a facing to the structurers providing an immediate erosion protection system and medium to provide a vegetated, sustainable green finish.
The works
Installation was restricted to 20M lengths to maintain the stability of the backslope and allow for the safe installation of the geopins which was laid in a pattern of 0.84m vertical and 0.50m horizontal centres, as per the design. The section of the wall where the smaller footprint was
required, we were able to reduce to a 1.5M width at the toe of a 5.3M high wall, approval was gained to use an IBA recycled granular stone and compacted (in accordance with Method 2, Table 6/4 of the MCDHW Specification for Highways Works) testing was undertaken during
installation.
GeoGrow undertook the full scope of works which started in November 2020 and completed the build within schedule in February 2021 whilst dealing with extreme weather conditions. On completion the walls were hydroseeded by GeoGrow’s in-house hydroseeding team with a seed mix to the Clients specification.
Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme, Phase 2
GeoGrow were invited to provide a formal design for the supply & installation of a Rootlok vegetated wall system to part of the riverbank along the river Aire corridor between Wellington Bridge and Viaduct Road.
GeoGrow’s design engineers worked along side BAM Nuttall & Mott MacDonald who were to carry out a range of works along the river Aire including areas where major flood events hit Christmas 2015. GeoGrow provided a design for an earth reinforced structure utilising geogrids with a Rootlok geotextile bag facing to provide a sustainable green finish. The wall measured approximately 44 metres long x 3 metres high and had a geogrid wraparound face to provide extra factors of safety.
Rootlok was chosen to provide a softer, engineered system to promote a more natural structure that provides more benefits for the environment, wildlife habitats and a vegetated finish, all stone was sourced locally to help reduce the schemes carbon footprint.
The wall was installed within a 6-week period, on completion in December 2020, the front face of the Rootlok system was hydroseeded with a riverbank seed mix and planted with a range of herbaceous flowering plants. Over winter, the seeds were protected by our high-performance mulch mix and successful germination took place in spring 2021, grass and plants started growing and gave a colourful pleasing vegetated finish for the remainder of 2021. Eight meters back from the top of our wall BAM Nuttall built a brick & block flood wall to further protect the local businesses & residents.
BMMjv where delighted with the Rootlok system and approval from the client Leeds City Council and the Environmental Agency will lead to other installation of the Rootlok system.
Storm Drainage Channel Restoration, Kenilworth
Rootlok Vegetated Wall System installed to restore failing storm drainage channel.
GeoGrow were employed by a housing developer to design and install a solution in order to reinstate a failing storm drainage channel.
The channel separated the rear gardens of several properties built on a previous development site. Over time erosion had caused the channel to narrow significantly, and as such the garden fences were collapsing.
GeoGrow proposed a solution utilising the Rootlok Vegetated Wall System. Rootlok will provide both erosion control to the channel and retain the gardens above. Firstly the channel was aligned to its full capacity to better handle future flood events, with Rootlok then installed along each side of the bank to create 1.8m high retaining walls.
The installation team could not use large machinery within the channel due to access constraints. Consequently hand tools had to be used for all de-vegetation and preparation of the area, and all materials, including stone, were delivered to the working area by hand. Rootlok’s segmental design allows it to be easily manoeuvred into position by hand, thus it is ideal for use in restrictive spaces whilst providing an encapsulated and permanent erosion protection solution.
On completion GeoGrow’s in-house team hydroseeded the Rootlok walls using a shade tolerant seed mix as requested by the client. As such vegetation has established well and will provide a long term, sustainable green finish.
GeoGrow's Largest Installation In Thornberry Hill
Taylor Wimpey (North Midlands) invited GeoGrow® to provide a Rootlok® retaining wall solution for a 300M long x 6M high retaining wall for their brand-new development of high-quality homes in Thornberry Hill, Lawley 10, Telford.
GeoGrow provided a full formal design including PI for an earth reinforced retaining structure which had several challenging aspects to the scheme including soil nailing, sheet piling, tree root protection zones and drainage systems. The design incorporated BBA certified geogrids to provide an earth reinforced retaining wall with Rootlok being used as a facing to provide an immediate erosion protection system and medium carrier to provide a vegetated, sustainable green finish.
The works
The installation was restricted to 10M lengths in places to maintain the stability of the backslope and to deal with varying soil conditions and allow for the safe installation of the works. A granular quarried type 1 stone was used and compacted (in accordance with Method 2, Table 6/4 of the MCDHW Specification for Highways Works) major testing was undertaken during installation to the satisfaction of Telford & Wrekin Borough Council who were to adopt the wall.
GeoGrow provided their full in-house services to design, install and vegetate the wall on completion to provide a sustainable green finish.
Mear Homes - Princes Risborough
GeoGrow was employed by Mear Homes to install a high-performance stabilisation system to a failing earthen slope which had a residential road above and a watercourse below. The slope had failed mainly due to erosion issues at the base of the slope which caused a shallow plane failure along the full length of the slope.
The existing vegetation was removed, and the slope was regraded to achieve a flat surface in preparation for the installation. An ARMORMAX® Engineered Earth Armoring System™ comprising of a High-Performance Turf Reinforcement Mat (HPTRM) and Engineered Earth Anchors™ (EEA) was approved for use, the turf reinforcement mat, anchors, and fixing pins are designed to work together to lock soil into place to provide a deep seated, long-term erosion protection system.
At the base of the slope, a rip-rap channel edge was installed to give extra erosion protection to the toe of the slope, after all the anchors and pins were installed the whole of the HPTRM was covered with 100mm of fresh topsoil.
The client specified a low maintenance grass mix with wildflower, a low growing deep rooted grass mix to enable the root system to grow firmly into the turf reinforcement mat securing the vegetation to the anchored system. GeoGrow’s in-house hydroseeding service provided a cost-effective, high-performance hydromulch a combination of materials including seeds, mulch, tackifier and fertiliser sprayed directly onto the slope.
Hydroseeding is a quick & easy process of spraying the mulch-mix directly onto the soils from the edge of the slope with the good soil used, quality seed and good weather germination was expected within 7-days.
Warm Brook River Bank Repairs
High Peak Borough Council have used the Rootlok Vegetated Wall System to repair river banks in Chapel-en-le-Frith and restore them to their original stable condition
The council, along with flood consultants RAB, identified four sites along Warm Brook that had been subject to significant erosion. Existing systems installed to protect the banks were also failing. Furthermore the site lies within a high risk flood zone, increasing the urgency for well designed repairs.
As part of the plans there was a need for sustainable development that complemented the local area. As such it was important that the design of the repair works took this into consideration.
RAB approached GeoGrow to put forward a proposal using the Rootlok Vegetated Wall System that would meet the criteria. GeoGrow submitted four retaining wall designs specific to each location that would stabilise the river banks. In addition the green finish achieved by Rootlok would allow the repairs to complement the natural surroundings. We provided Rootlok bags filled with a seeded mixture which will allow the installation to grow vegetation immediately.
The contractors carried out the works in very difficult conditions due to heavy rainfall. They removed old gabions, removed existing vegetation and graded the banks to a safe angle. Temporary sand bag walls were put up to cordon off a dry working area. They also installed a fence along certain points of the bank to discourage users from leaving the main path. The result is a great example of using Rootlok as an alternative to gabions and other hard systems for river bank repairs.
Rootlok is an ideal solution for river bank repairs. The system provides high structural stability to the bank that is able to withstand the flow during peak flood events. Furthermore the system achieves a fully vegetated green solution that is ecologically sensitive to the local area.
Footway Provision, A470 Cwmbach Bridleway
Powys County Council have used Rootlok to construct a retaining wall and provide protection to a new footway.
In 2013 the A470 Cwmbach to Newbridge Improvement Works severed pedestrian links between hamlets on Builth Road and Cwmbach. As part of the initial scheme a combined footpath/bridle path was provided for pedestrians. However, the pathway was determined as unsuitable for many users due to the gradients and surfacing.
The Welsh Government commissioned Powys County Council to provide a more inclusive pathway and investigate the options of various routes. A new route was chosen and a suitable design was created and approved.
The Works
RF Price (Groundworks) Ltd was awarded the scheme to provide a 60m by 1.5m tarmac footpath with timber edging and a Rootlok retaining wall. The Rootlok system will retain the slope whilst providing erosion protection to the area. Work commenced on 26th June 2017 and was completed within 10 days.
The client specified Rootlok as a green alternative to hard materials and to achieve a sustainable natural finish. The system is simple and flexible to install therefore the wall was built easily in just 1 day. GeoGrow provided the contractors with pre-seeded bags helping to establish a grass covering within 10 days. The client specified a deep rooted low maintenance grass seed for this project thus reducing the need for regular maintenance. The system was watered each day for 1 week after completion due to it being installed during a dry period (one of the few occasions that it doesn’t rain in Wales). During dry seasons it is important to keep the system watered to help establish vegetation.
A green alternative for retaining walls
Rootlok is a cost-effective system that provides end users with a strong, yet flexible, green solution for retaining walls. It's ability to vegetate creates a retaining wall that blends seamlessly with the natural environment. It is important to consider the choice of vegetation to ensure that the result is aligned with expectations and the ability to effectively and safely maintain it.
Take a look at our application page for more information on using Rootlok for retaining walls.
Strengthening Flood Defences in Pinner
Rootlok installed as part of flood defence modifications in Pinner
Harrow Council have used the Rootlok Vegetated Wall system to strengthen flood defences and a narrow watercourse in Montesole Park, Pinner. The narrow watercourse corridor that runs through the park was difficult to maintain and was prone to flooding, and blockages of a trash screen and bypass channel. The council sought to stabilise the bank and reduce the risk of flooding in the area.
The solution
There were two elements to bolster flood defences as part of the project:
- Restrict flows using an adjustable orifice plate from an upstream trash screen and bypass channel
- A new channel taking flood event flows across the park to an attenuation area with an earth impounding structure
As a result this would reduce the volume of flood event flows toward the downstream trash screen and bypass channel. Additionally, they removed an existing timber toe boarding that was in very poor condition, widened the channel and re-profiled one side of the bank. The team installed Rootlok along the opposite side to stabilise the bank, as well as for head walls for both the intake and outtake on the channel.
Rootlok will provide long-term erosion protection to flood defences and the watercourse within the park. The system achieves stability immediately, protecting the channel banks and reducing the risk of flooding to local properties. GeoGrow supplied Rootlok ready to establish vegetation, helping to quickly restore the watercourse to its natural function.
Headwall Construction in Firs Farm Wetlands
Enfield Council have used Rootlok to construct a new headwall, providing erosion and flood protection to a large pipe outlet.
Firs Farm Wetlands Flood Alleviation Scheme
As part of the £1m Firs Farm Wetlands flood alleviation scheme, the ‘lost river’ Moore Brooke previously hidden in concrete culverts has been restored to create a large series of wetlands. A 350m long pipe now diverts a surface water sewer to the newly de-culverted watercourse, treating polluted water as it passes through the wetlands. The restoration is significantly enhancing the park - water quality is improving and new habitats have been created for local wildlife.
Headwall Construction
Enfield Council approved the use of the Rootlok Vegetated Wall System fto construct a headwall for a large pipe outlet. The system was chosen to provide long-term erosion and flood protection that will also assist in the creation of new habitats for local wildlife. Unlike concrete and other hard revetment, Rootlok produces a natural sustainable finish that will integrate with local surroundings – a feature in line with the ethos of the scheme.
GeoGrow Ltd provided the installing contractor with un-filled Rootlok bags and locking plates to be filled on site with a pre-seeded mix. Pre-seeding the bags will allow the structure to begin to vegetate immediately following completion. A combination of gabions and stone filled rock-rolls have been installed alongside the Rootlok system. This will help to create a firm foundation with extra toe protection.
Take a look at our application for more information on using Rootlok for headwalls and gravity walls.
Concrete Outfall Replacement in Bishops Sutton
The Environment Agency has used the Rootlok Vegetated Wall System to replace a concrete wall as part of an outfall decommissioning scheme in Bishops Sutton, installing a green solution.
In Bishops Sutton lay a redundant outfall and chamber constructed over 30 years ago that needed to be decommissioned. The outfall was installed to discharge borehole water from a nearby village into the River Itchen during periods of drought, however it was never used.
The EA planned to infill the concrete channel leading to the stream and block the opening. Early designs called for a 3.75m long x 1.2m high reinforced concrete wing wall, extending from the outfall pipe to form a hard-edged stream bank system. However this design was over-engineered, time consuming and expensive, thus GeoGrow Ltd was invited to site to offer a more environmentally friendly solution using the Rootlok Vegetated Wall System. Rootlok is a proven, cost-effective alternative to concrete and is fast and easy to install.
The Rootlok System was approved for use and our design for a tie-back wall was installed. GeoGrow supplied bags suitable for a water application and ready to establish vegetation immediately, thus requiring little effort to obtain a sustainable green finish. To install the new wall, the existing pipework and channel linings were removed and filled in and the stream bank regraded. The work was completed within 7 days, with the Rootlok wall taking only 1 day to be installed.
Rootlok will provide a permanent long-term erosion protection system to the newly formed bank. The system will create a natural finish once vegetated that offers real bio-diversity gains and adds to the local eco-system. On top of the significant environmental benefits, choosing Rootlok allowed the Environment Agency to save thousands of pounds and reduce the time needed to complete the works.
Erosion Control at Kings Business Park
The Rootlok Vegetated Wall System was recently chosen by Mouchel as an environmentally friendly alternative to a gabion wall system to provide erosion control at a new warehouse site on Kings Business Park, Knowsley.
A new warehouse site situated on Kings Business Park, Knowsley, called for a solution to retain several slopes and provide erosion control in various areas. A gabion wall system was originally selected to retain the perimeter wall, however the landscape designer, James Towers, wanted to explore alternatives that would provide an environmental friendly result whilst gaining extra land space surrounding the hard-standing areas.
Following consultations with GeoGrow Ltd, the Rootlok Vegetated Wall System was approved for use for several installations across the site. The perimeter banks consist of sand stone and crumbling materials with no surcharges. The tie-back build was chosen for the installation with a Type 1 compacted backfill up to 1M deep, creating a very strong wall with immediate structural strength. The finished installation measures 2.5M high x 80M long. Rootlok’s flexibility enabled the wall to follow the existing contours of the bank with the inclusion to tight radiuses. The system was also used to install steep headwalls to provide a green finish to the drainage outlet.
Rootlok offered the client and consultant many more benefits than a rigid wall. A swale was installed in front of the Rootlok wall to accommodate the sites storm water drainage. Any hydrostatic pressure from the bank will slowly percolate through the system and drain away naturally. Once vegetated, the rootzone will assist in the removal of water within the system.
The walls are due to be hydro-seeded in April and will establish a fully vegetated system during the summer months creating a sustainable green structure with an aesthetically pleasing finish.
