River Walk, Embankment Exchange
E-Frank Civil played a key role in supporting our customer’s regeneration works across Salford. Following the successful completion of car park and drainage installations, our team progressed to the next phase of works at Embankment Exchange and River Walk.
Working under a Section 278 agreement, E-Frank ensured that all highways works met council specifications, contributing to Manchester’s wider regeneration programme and delivering safe, durable infrastructure that complemented the surrounding development.
Customer Requirements
The customer required a civil engineering partner capable of managing technically demanding works within a highly constrained city-centre environment. The scope needed to include both highways and riverside infrastructure, delivered safely and efficiently under strict council standards. E-Frank Civil was tasked with ensuring seamless coordination, maintaining programme targets, and achieving a high-quality finish that aligned with the wider regeneration vision for the area.
Highways & Car Park Works
E-Frank delivered a comprehensive package of highways and car park infrastructure works, designed to improve access and connectivity around the development. The scope included breaking out existing concrete and completing a full reduce level dig, followed by extensive drainage installation using 100mm pipes, 450mm inspection chambers, and ACO channels for surface water management.
Kerbing works featured granite kerbs—a specification selected by Manchester City Council as part of its public realm improvement scheme—alongside granite paver installation for a high-quality finish. The team also carried out Type 1 sub-base installation and tarmac surfacing in full compliance with council requirements, comprising:
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40mm AC10 Close Surface
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60mm AC20 Dense Binder
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100mm AC32 Dense Base
Site Challenges
The River Walk phase presented significant access and logistical challenges, requiring innovative thinking and precise sequencing. To establish access, our team broke out existing concrete and carried out a reduce level dig before excavating for reinforced foundations, which included an A393 mesh layer.
Concrete pours were managed using a lay-flat pump due to the restricted space—allowing the team to pour 23m³ of concrete efficiently. Once foundations were in place, pre-cast units were installed with the assistance of a crane, which lifted components into position along the river edge.
Given the tight working environment, only a 9T excavator could fit into the space. The heaviest pre-cast unit weighed 2.5 tonnes, requiring precise lift planning and coordination to ensure safety and accuracy throughout installation.
Solutions
This phase demanded careful logistics management and adaptive problem-solving. Restricted access at River Walk limited the type of machinery that could be used, so our engineers developed an alternative approach using smaller equipment and controlled lifting methods.
The confined nature of the site also required detailed traffic and material flow planning to prevent disruption to surrounding areas. Despite these constraints, the works progressed smoothly, with safety, precision, and programme adherence remaining top priorities.
Results
The Embankment Exchange and River Walk project showcased E-Frank Civil’s capability to deliver complex, high-specification infrastructure in challenging urban environments. Through efficient planning, precise execution, and strong collaboration with our customer and partners, the works were completed successfully and contributed to the ongoing regeneration of the Salford riverside.
- Full compliance with Section 278 and council specifications
- Safe and successful delivery of drainage and highways infrastructure
- Completion of concrete pours and pre-cast installations within restricted access conditions
- All works completed on schedule, with zero safety incidents
I had the privilege of working with E-Frank on our project in Manchester. This was already the second project they have successfully completed for me, and as always, their work was of the highest quality. They are dedicated and do not stop until the job is finished.
Despite a very tight schedule and the challenges of working around the river walk, E-Frank Civil managed to meet all required deadlines. I strongly recommend their services and look forward to working with them again on future projects.
What our clients say about us
E-Frank Ltd go for above and beyond
A previous contractor that was due to take on this particular section of works declined the contract due to the complexity in positioning the required excavator within a small space. Despite the complexity, E-Frank felt they could take on the challenge and were contracted in to complete the package.
