Railway Drainage System Support
Geotech Nicholls Ltd’s first commission involved providing geotechnical support and application advice for Rosehill Polymers’ Modular Drainage System, with particular focus on its use within a railway environment. Delivered in collaboration with Civils and Water Management, the product has since been shortlisted in four categories at the TECHfest Awards 2026, including Product Innovation of the Year and awards recognising carbon reduction in design and construction.
St John’s Church, Alton
During a walkover survey at St John’s Church, Alton, this remarkable underground chamber was encountered. Geotech Nicholls Ltd is providing geotechnical investigation, monitoring and design services in connection with an unstable retaining and parapet wall for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham.
Network Rail Mining Risk Assessments
Geotech Nicholls Ltd provided detailed Mining Risk Assessments for Network Rail’s West Coast South Asset Management team. The desk-based assessment covered four locations with known mining-related risks: Kidsgrove, Harecastle, Tunstall and Bedworth.
Ruskin’s View Footpath
Ruskin’s View footpath had been closed for several years following concerns over potential ground instability. Geotech Nicholls Ltd supervised the ground investigation and prepared a detailed risk assessment, and continues to support the Town Council by reviewing ongoing land surveying and geotechnical monitoring, including piezometer and inclinometer data.
Walkden Drainage Expert
Report
Geotech Nicholls Ltd prepared an Expert Report in connection with a dispute concerning roof water drainage by soakaway at a residential property in Walkden, Salford. Although relatively straightforward from a technical perspective, issues affecting people’s homes can have significant consequences for those involved. The report was prepared in accordance with the relevant court requirements, including the required statements to the court.
Trent and Mersey Canal Retaining Wall
Geotech Nicholls Ltd assisted a householder in establishing the likely source of water appearing at the toe of a retaining wall situated below and close to the Trent and Mersey Canal. The investigation concluded that the water was most likely natural shallow seepage being held behind the retaining wall, where existing drainage measures had no established outfall.
Residential Sinkhole Investigation
Geotech Nicholls Ltd assisted a householder after a suspected “sinkhole” appeared in their garden during a period of heavy rainfall. The issue was attributed to the line of a shared public sewer crossing the garden, with GTN reviewing CCTV survey footage and providing technical advice to support the client’s discussions with the relevant utility provider.
Testimonials
“It seems extraordinarily detailed for a background check about how to build a retaining wall (!) but fascinating to have this geological research about our land. Thanks for the work and the care taken to present it so well.”
– Private Residential Developer
“Many thanks for sending us your Geotechnical Risk Review… very detailed and a great read. You seem to have captured the history and risk to public in a single report.”
– Town Council Technical Lead
“Thank you so much for this, it is greatly appreciated and I’m really impressed with the work you have put into this. I know it’s going to be invaluable for our defence.”
– Private householder in dispute with utility supplier
“Thank you so much for your very thorough report! It made for a very interesting read, albeit making us realise that this property is certainly complex and risky! Although I guess that was the whole point of getting your expertise on this in the first place!“
– Prospective House Purchaser
