MORE than 50,000 tonnes of rock was transported by water to Ellesmere Port docks as part of an important sea defence project in North Wales.

Ruthin-based Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK received the rock armour at Ellesmere Port via vessels from Glensanda Quarry in Scotland between September and December last year.

The company had two teams working simultaneously to unload each delivery while at the same time loading articulated wagons to send it on to the North Wales coastline.

As the arrival times of the vessels changed due to weather and the tide, Jones Bros provided on-site accommodation for the team to allow them to receive deliveries 24/7.

Project manager Geraint Lloyd said: “It was estimated during the planning phase that it would take 24 hours to remove the rock off the vessel with machinery and onto the dock unloading area, but due to the team’s hard work and organisation, they managed to complete each delivery within 12 hours.

"To prevent damage to the dock, we placed a 1,400-tonne protection layer of type 1 subbase made up of limestone onto the ground before the imported rock was unloaded there.

“As part of the project we also had 10 purpose-built HGV trailers to carry more than 1,000 tonnes per day.”

Rhyl Journal: More than 50,000 tonnes of rock was transported to Ellesmere Port for a key sea defence project.More than 50,000 tonnes of rock was transported to Ellesmere Port for a key sea defence project.

The quick removal of materials meant each vessel could return to Scotland sooner to reload, which helped to speed up the programme time.

Geraint added: “There were 12 deliveries in total with a three-day turnaround for each one. This involved 24 hours to travel to Scotland, 24 hours loading the rock at the quarry and then another 24 hours travelling back to Ellesmere Port.

“These journeys were impacted by the tide and weather, so deliveries were short notice for our team. They worked hard throughout the project, including late into the night or early hours of the morning, to ensure we met our schedule.”

The company is currently working on contracts in various sectors including highways, flood and marine defence, waste management and renewable energy around the UK.