Gallagher Group – Temporary Storage Bays
Fast, flexible storage bays without fixing into the slab
Meeting the need for simple, movable storage bays
Gallagher Group needed a set of flexible storage bays for a new waste recycling project in Ashford for the local council, constructed on a new reinforced concrete yard slab. The main requirement was that nothing could be anchored into the slab, so the bay walls had to be fully self-supporting while still safely containing bulk materials.
Working directly with the Gallagher team, we recommended freestanding precast retaining wall units as a faster, cleaner alternative to block systems, reducing the number of units needed and making installation easier.
Project Overview
- Client – Ashford Borough Council
- Location – Ashford, Kent
- Sector – Construction / Materials Storage
- Services Provided – Design support, precast supply & installation
- Project – New material storage bays
- Products Supplied – Freestanding retaining wall units
- Installation Duration – 2 days
Project Background
The facility needed five storage bays for various construction materials. Each bay measured approximately 4.8m wide × 3.6m deep × 2m high. The walls needed to support the weight of the stored materials while remaining stable without being connected to the yard slab.
Several precast options were considered, including interlocking block systems. However, the client concluded that freestanding retaining walls offered the best balance of strength, speed, and flexibility.
Our Solution
Why Freestanding Retaining Walls
Freestanding precast units are designed to function as independent wall sections, relying on their weight and shape for stability. They can be installed directly onto a prepared slab without the need for fixings, grout, or poured foundations.
For Gallagher, this meant the new bays could be set out quickly, and if site requirements changed in the future, the walls could be repositioned with minimal disruption.
Key benefits for this project included:
No fixings required – perfect for use on a new reinforced yard slab
Quicker installation – bays installed in just 2 days using our Moffett
Fewer units needed – less than half the number compared to block systems
Built-in corner units for a neater finish and stronger bay layout
The Results
A total of 41 freestanding wall units were delivered and installed, including 6 corner units, each 1.2m long and 2m high, with a unit weight of 2,180kg.
The walls were positioned accurately using our all-terrain Moffett, which is perfect for working near perimeter walls and in tight access areas.
The completed bays provide Ashford Borough Council with a practical, low-maintenance solution for storing multiple materials side by side, with the flexibility to modify layouts in the future if needed.
Products Used In This Project
Freestanding wall units provided the stability Ashford Borough Council needed without tying into the slab, while offering speed of installation and long-term flexibility.
- Heights: Up to 3.5 m
- Cast-in lifting points and recessed fork pocket for safe handling
- Suitable for both temporary and flexible layouts
- Corner units available for bay construction