July 2024

Legato blocks help to secure sea defence scheme and keep the RNLI safe

When an existing sea defence wall began to fail, which had been constructed in the 1970’s, North Ayrshire Council instructed principal designer and coasted marine engineers, PRS Group to find a solution to protect the town of Largs, in North Ayrshire as well as keeping members of the RNLI safe with a new access ramp.

Civil Engineers and Building Contractors, RJ McLeod were instructed to undertake the £4 million sea wall on the north end of Largs, which will provide protection and support against wave activity and coastal erosion.

As part of the 300-metre-long sea wall, a Legato interlocking concrete block tide protection wall was constructed during low tide to allow for safe working, whilst the wave wall was built.

Marine, engineering and construction company, Alchemy Plant & Contracting were tasked with building a new dedicated RNLI ramp at the head of the beach, to allow the lifeboat safe access to and from water at low tide.

Historically, the lifeboat has launched from the North Ayrshire Council slipway, next to the lifeboat station, using a tractor and trailer which has taken valuable time and was unsuitable for use at low water,

Elite Legato concrete blocks were used to build the new slip, which is owned entirely by the RNLI and was built to coincide with the 60th anniversary of RNLI in Largs, and the 200th anniversary of the RNLI as a whole.

The current slipway was previously used as a seaplane base, under the operation of Prestwick based Scottish Aviation Limited. Built in 1942, it was used in the Second World War as a flying boat reception facility, as well as serving as an overflow for a larger marine airfield located in Greenock, with visiting seaplanes towed up the slipway and across the A78 to rest.

Made from high strength (50N/mm²) concrete, the Legato blocks exhibit extreme levels of durability and are manufactured with a cast-in lifting pin, making installation easy onsite.

Owen Batham, Sales & Marketing Director for Elite Precast said “our concrete blocks have been successfully installed on many sea and water projects due to the speed of construction, as walls can be built within the tidal timeframe and our concrete performs well in the harsh environment conditions, experienced in marine and coastal applications.”

For more information on the Legato concrete blocks please visit www.eliteprecast.co.uk/interlocking-blocks/legato-interlocking-concrete-blocks or speak to a member of our team on 01952 588885.