Suttle Projects

Suttle Projects are piling contractors with a range of techniques suited to solving all retaining wall and foundation problems with drilled & driven piles.

Please find some Case Studies below from some of our satisified customers.

Hainbury Mill

Overview - Mr Myers installed a renewable energy hydro turbine plant in his private grounds and needed to carry out repair works to the weir, working jointly with Somerset County Council. Mr Myers required a repair and stabilisation of the weir with reinforced concrete and sheet piles, whilst the weir had a redundant footbridge support, and Somerset County Council's Rights of Way team sponsored the removal of this. Mr Myers also utilised Suttle Projects to liaise with the Environment Agency to obtain the flood defence consent.
Why Mr Myers chose Suttle Projects - "We chose Suttle Projects as we wanted to work with a local, smaller civil engineering company and they had been recommended by another hydro turbine installer."
On the job - Suttle Projects had to overcome significant access issues to complete the works. They used a crawler crane with piling equipment, and other specialist plant. Work was planned and executed to work safely around the watercourse, and minimise the risk of environmental leaks or damage.
Testimonial - "Working with water is always challenging, with the added complication of the river rising from excessive rain. Suttle Projects therefore had to carry out the works within a short timeframe. As an active member and Chairman of the South Somerset Hydropower Group, an organisation set up to promote the interests of hydro turbine owner operators, I have already recommended Suttle Projects to several contacts" Mr Myers, Hainbury Mill Farm, Ilchester.

Scour Protection Works

Overview - The project was to insert rock armour to the railway bridge abutments and river beds to protect the bridges' foundations from being undermined. Suttle Projects' involvement was to dig out and remove silt and bed material and replace it with rock armour in several locations across the south.
Why B & M McHugh chose Suttle Projects - "This sheet piling project was right up Suttle Projects' street! We had received good feedback on Suttle Projects from another client; we had also worked with them before, so we knew that they are reliable and competitively-priced."
On the job - "When the project was first planned, we were aiming to pile it in sections. Although, working alongside the Environment Agency, we were asked to over-pump the whole river and dam off half with their consent and guidance. Also, access was quite tricky in some locations, so we worked with Suttle Projects to put in road access, including trackway across fields."
Testimonial - "Suttle Projects made our lives easier - They acted extremely professionally and were able to aptly show that they are experts in this specialist work. We would definitely use Suttle Projects in the future and already have a few joint projects in the pipeline!" Chay Garrett, Contracts Manager for B & M McHugh.

Ascott under Wychwood River Training Wall

Overview - The project's aim was to replace a previously destroyed masonry river training wall, which had been destroyed in 2007's floods. Suttle Projects' involvement was to install sheet piling.
Why Dyer & Butler chose Suttle Projects - "Suttle Projects were proposed internally as the company had used their services previously on several projects. Suttle Projects also helped us design a solution through optioneering - they worked alongside our designers providing technical support to come up with a relevant solution for the project."
On the job - "As far as the works carried out, there was severely restricted headroom - the solution was to cut the piles and weld them in, which is not normally done! It was a problematic and technically difficult job, but Suttle Projects were very reliable and worked alongside our designers to come up with the right solution."
Testimonial - "We would certainly consider working with Suttle Projects again on relevant projects. They are reliable and able to come up with solutions for even the most demanding of projects!" Tony Gordon, Senior Site Agent.

Bindon Mill Phase II

Overview - Having successfully completed several cofferdams in the first phase of the refurbishment of a listed mill on the Weld Estate at Lulworth Castle, Suttle Projects worked in conjunction with 'Potential Energy' to install a hydro-electric power generation scheme, running the estate properties on sustainable power, which would also generate an income for the estate and add an asset to the historic mill without visual intrusion. Suttle Projects carried out all the groundwork and civil contracting work.
Why Potential Energy chose Suttle Projects - "We chose Suttle Projects as a partner on this project because of their quality and standard of work and because we like the approach taken by the team. Any problems or issues that can sometimes arise on-site are tackled and resolved effectively."
On the job - "During the project, Suttle Projects built a cofferdam around the civil works to keep the site dry where we were working. It was generally a very involved and complex job. The access to the site was quite problematic, so Suttle Projects built two temporary bridges across the river and stream. The work also had to be carried out within strict Environment Agency guidelines to protect the particularly sensitive environment, working to PPG5 guidelines (working in rivers). The site is also SSSI (a Site of Specific Scientific Interest), so special attention and extra care was applied to protect the trees, fish and migratory salmon. Suttle Projects also put the site back to a tidy condition by re-landscaping after their part of the project was complete."
Testimonial - "It has been a pleasure working with Suttle Projects on this challenging installation. I am delighted with how well it all went, especially considering the difficulties that had to be overcome in terms of access to the site and working in and around the river, with all the associated environmental issues. Everything was done on budget and on time. I would not hesitate to use Suttle Projects again, especially when faced with the sort of project that many other contractors would find daunting" added Guy Galpin, Director of Potential Energy (www.potenergy.co.uk).

Canford Bridge - Poole/Wimborne

Overview - Opened in 1813, the main Canford Bridge linking Poole and Wimborne had become damaged due to weathering of the original stonework, increased traffic volumes and water damage. In conjunction with Mackley Construction, Suttle Projects installed timber fender piles, to ward off further damage to the bridge.
Why Mackley Construction chose Suttle Projects - "We chose Suttle Projects as we already carry out work with them and it's easy to contact them. It's also more cost-effective for us to work with them for piling projects than to carry out the work ourselves."
On the job - "The project was quite tricky as the height was restricted from the bridge arches overhead. However, the project went very well. There were no delays and no extra costs. Suttle Projects also carried out the reinstatement of topsoil to the surrounding field."
Testimonial - "We will definitely use Suttle Projects again. They're very good and reliable"
Barry Holt, Project Manager at Mackley Construction

Gravel Hill - Poole

Overview - After a storm, a tree fell on an embankment section of Poole's busy A349 Gravel Hill. The tree's root system came out of the ground causing significant land slip disturbance to the surrounding embankment supporting the road. The section of embankment was stabilised by driving in a 12 meter row of 9 meter long steel sheet piles, which would also help to prevent further landslips.
Why Poole Borough Council chose Suttle Projects - "We chose Suttle Projects as they have done work for us previously with their Movax vibration piling system. It's ideal for carrying out work quickly and is quieter than the usual hammer method of driving in piles. It also causes less disturbance of the surrounding ground and is ideal for use in this situation or in riverbanks."
On the job - "We only had a short window to close off the busy road to carry out the work. Suttle Projects and I assessed the ground conditions before the job to ensure we'd planned for any potential problems. Core samples of the embankment showed that the ground was borderline as to whether it was too stiff for the Movax piling system. So to ensure there were no delays we also had a piling hammer on site just in case. As it happened the hammer was required to drive in each pile for the last 2-3metres."
Testimonial - "I have found Suttle Projects Ltd are a good local contractor to work with. They are professional in their approach to contracts and have a sound knowledge and experience of this type of civil engineering. I would be happy to use them in the future and recommend them to others or provide references."
Tony Parfett, Senior Civil Engineer Technician, Borough of Poole Council

Dyer & Butler - Folkestone Warren

Overview - The £85k six week project involved making repairs to a section of 100 metres of sea wall at Folkestone Warren where a large section of walkway had collapsed as a result of recent storms. New sheet piling was required to the front and back of the existing concrete sea wall. A public footpath was also reinstated.
Why Dyer & Butler chose Suttle Projects - "We chose Suttle Projects as a partner on this project because of their quality and standard of work and because we like the approach taken by the team. Any problems or issues that can sometimes arise on-site are tackled and resolved effectively."
On the job - "The location of the piles was below sea level at high tide and the only access was across the beach at low tide, with a narrow track for maintenance. Both the logistics and actual work itself presented some challenges. Flexible techniques were required to install the sheet piles, bushes had to be cleared to make way for machinery access and the drivers had to be experienced to cope with the difficult approach. Work could only be carried out at low tide at certain times of the day."
Testimonial - "We needed a company with experienced drivers due to the challenging access of the site. Suttle Projects coped very well and we would definitely consider them for future sheet piling work." Shaun Elsdon, Project Manager at Dyer and Butler.

Dyer & Butler - Hook Bank Stabilisation

Overview - The £50k six week project involved carrying out strengthening works to a railway cutting immediately next to a road with a kingpost and sleeper retaining wall to enable the appropriate standard of maintenance to the road surface by the highways authorities, as the rail embankment was starting to slip and the road was sliding with it.
Why Dyer & Butler chose Suttle Projects - "Suttle Projects was the preferred bidder. The company provides excellent service and reliability. The team is very experienced and is very good at overcoming any problems if they arise."
On the job - "During the project the Suttles team were required to drive seven metre long H piles and then construct timber sleeper infill and backfill and associated roadworks. The location was a little challenging as the road had to be closed completely and trees also had to be removed in order to carry out the work."
Testimonial - "We will use Suttles again and will definitely consider them for future piling work projects." Shaun Elsdon, Project Manager at Dyer and Butler.

Gatwick Construction - Clockhouse Spillway

Overview - The project was to provide client Gatwick Construction with approximately 60 meters of sheet piling from a pontoon as part of the cofferdam, upgrading Heathrow Airport Southern and Western's storm water interconnectivity system to avoid the contamination of the lagoon.
Why Gatwick Construction chose Suttle Projects - "Suttle Projects have a particular expertise in being able carry out sheet piling on water. The project was quite a hazardous operation, so we needed to choose a company who had experience of installing piling with heavy machinery on water from boats and pontoons. When researching the market, we found that not many companies do it, and do it well, so Suttle Projects was the obvious choice."
On the job - "We were making a glycold trap, where de-icing fluid used on aircraft would runoff from a 25 hectare area of the airport. The dirty water needed to be separated from the clean lake water so as not to kill the fish. The job was unusual as the sheet piling had to be done at a right angle and was carried out from floating barges on a lake. In addition, there were additional challenges of winter constraints, such as the icy weather and limited light."
Testimonial - "We'd work with Suttle Projects again. They provided us with a speedy response as there were short turnaround times for the planning. Their rep came to the site the next day after we contacted them and gave us a clear pricing structure, with no hidden costs. They also gave us a suggested project programme of what would happen and when, which they carried out exactly as they suggested. In addition, all work was carried out with utmost safety in mind in line within strict health and safety procedures. They just got on with the job - we didn't even notice they were there sometimes!" said Tim Toon, Project Manager at Gatwick Construction.

Matrod Frampton - Bindon Mill

Overview - The project was the refurbishment of a very old, listed mill on Weld Estate, Lulworth. The mill has been derelict for a number of years and is being transformed into a residential property for Mr and Mrs Weld. A concrete swimming pool is being built below ground level which is surrounded on two sides by the river. Suttle Projects' services were required to prevent the river water getting into the basin.
Why Matrod Frampton chose Suttle Projects - "We had a very unusual requirement due to the location being surrounded on two sides by the river. There are only a couple of local specialist companies that could help us. We chose Suttle Projects because they gave very cost-effective quotes and were able to help by providing access solutions when others couldn't."
On the job - "The location of the mill provided a challenge in the form of an old humpback bridge that needed to be crossed to enable access of the site. In order to reduce the risk of damage to the existing bridge and to provide suitable access for Suttle Projects' machinery, Suttle Projects built a temporary bridge structure to facilitate the transport of heavy machinery on and off site."
Testimonial - "We've worked with Suttle Projects several times and will continue to work with them in the future as we need companies that we can rely on in difficult circumstances. We know that we can trust them. In addition, the Suttle Projects team has a good technical background which is reflected in their initial quotes. The team is very professional when carrying out work too," says Andrew Etchingham from Matrod Frampton.