Salisbury Racecourse, Wiltshire

Working direct with the client and in partnership with Mann Williams consulting civil and structural engineers, MJ Abbott Limited were responsible for installing the drainage system to serve the new Wiltshire Stand at Salisbury Racecourse.

The foundation level from the new building was deeper than expected, so the existing site drainage was at too high a level to be utilised. New gravity drainage pipework was therefore installed leading from the buildings and under the racetrack to a viewing area opposite, where a new 36,000 litre sealed GRP cesspool was installed.

The scope of works comprised:

• Excavation through fine turf areas, with turf carefully removed and rolled up for re-use
• Machines and excavated materials operating on boards to minimise damage
• 160mm diameter uPVC sewer pipe laid on a minimum fall across the racecourse, with granular backfill to protect the pipe
• Inspection chambers and manholes installed where necessary
• 36,000 litre sealed cesspool installed to receive the waste, with full concrete surround
• Hydraulic trench support with beams and trench sheets employed to prevent collapse of excavations
• Backfilling and full reinstatement of all excavations
• Air pressure test of new pipeline on completion.

Salisbury Racecourse insisted that the works were carried out by MJ Abbott, based on the long working relationship established over many years.

Lin White of Salisbury Racecourse commented: “MJ Abbott carried out a great job as usual and managed to get the project finished in good time”.