CROSS Safety Report
Retaining wall collapsed onto highway due to heavy rain
Overview
A 2.5m high sandstone retaining wall collapsed onto a highway following a period of heavy rain.
Key Learning Outcomes
For homeowners:
- If you are concerned about the stability of a freestanding or retaining masonry wall on your property, have it inspected by a suitably qualified and experienced structural engineer
- There has been numerous failures associated with freestanding and retaining masonry walls and a previous Alert was issued by the Standing Committee on Structural Safety (SCOSS) – Preventing the collapse of freestanding masonry walls
Full Report
Find out more about the Full Report
The Full Report below has been submitted to CROSS and describes the reporter’s experience. The text has been edited for clarity and to ensure anonymity and confidentiality by removing any identifiable details. If you would like to know more about our secure reporting process or submit a report yourself, please visit the reporting to CROSS-UK page.
A 2.5m high sandstone retaining wall collapsed onto a highway following a period of heavy rain. The wall was previously the rear wall of a small house built into the hillside, but was demolished several decades ago. The wall had been repointed in the past with a cementitious mortar and it seems unlikely that it was ever a dry stone wall given the previous use.
Prior to the collapse, the wall had a slight bulge approximately a third of the way up and in the preceding months water had been seeping out of the ground around and in front of the wall. The house belonging to the current owner of the wall is located above and behind the wall.
A modern extension had been added several years ago between the original house and the retaining wall however neither were damaged by the collapse. This is likely to be because when the extension was built, the Building Control officer insisted that the extensions for the foundations were taken down below the level of the retaining wall. The wall was rebuilt using gabions and water continues to seep out.
Submit a report
Your report will make a difference. It will help to create positive change and improve safety.
Our secure and confidential safety reporting system gives professionals the opportunity to share their experiences to help others.
Feedback
No feedback has yet been published for this page.
Expert Panel Comments
Expert Panels comment on the reports we receive. They use their experience to help you understand what can be learned from the reports. If you would like to know more, please visit the CROSS-UK Expert Panels page.
There are no Expert Panel comments on this report. The Expert Panels are only asked to comment on selected reports. These are normally reports where there is an opportunity for them to help you understand what can be learned from the report.