The Collaborative Restoration of Severn Valley Railway Using Legato® Interlocking Blocks

In January 2025, a landslip at the Mor Brook bridge brought the historic Severn Valley Railway (SVR) to an abrupt halt by cutting off railway services between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade. The landslip caused significant structural damage, leaving the track suspended and threatening the future of the 16.5 mile heritage line.

The restoration challenge was formidable. The damaged segment required a solution that was robust enough for railway standards and that could be delivered rapidly to minimise disruption. It also needed to be cost-effective and meet stringent environmental regulations, including the careful planning around protected species.

The solution was Legato® interlocking blocks and a geotextile material. Elite Precast Concrete, a local manufacturer, was selected to supply over 100 Legato® interlocking blocks for the core of the new embankment structure, by leading contractors, CML.

The modular blocks, each weighing approximately 2.4 tonnes, were delivered on a just-in-time basis and installed on freshly poured concrete footings.

Why Legato® Blocks?

• Versatility and Speed: The blocks' interlocking design provided immediate stability and strength, essential for creating the embankment's new retaining wall quickly under tight deadlines.

• Durability and Safety: Made from high-strength concrete Legato® blocks meet civil engineering standards and offer long-term reliability for infrastructure projects.

• Sustainability: Manufactured using locally sourced aggregates, the selection reduced the requirement for long-haul transport, cutting the project's carbon footprint.

Specialist contractors, CML managed the repair work. After excavating more than 2,500 tonnes of material and installing a temporary culvert to protect Mor Brook, they placed the Legato® blocks to create the new retaining structure. The wall's modular assembly enabled precision even within the sensitive ecological context, ensuring strict compliance with biodiversity protection regulations.

Stuart Hale, CML's Contracts Manager, praised the system: "Their size, weight and interlocking capability allowed us to build a solid, permanent wall quickly and efficiently — crucial for getting the railway back on track without compromising on safety or quality."

Elite Precast Concrete's Legato® blocks provided the structural backbone for a rapid, sustainable and resilient restoration of the Severn Valley Railway, reinforcing the regional commitment to environmental responsibility and Community driven infrastructure renewal.