One of the unique aspects of civil engineering is the longevity of what we create.
The decisions we make during the design process can influence infrastructure for decades. A design that may appear perfectly adequate today could become inefficient, expensive to maintain or poorly suited to future conditions. As designers we need to consider whole-life performance, resilience, maintenance, adaptability and the changing needs of the communities who will ultimately use the infrastructure we design.
As our industry faces challenges such as climate change, population growth, sustainability, ageing infrastructure and the need to deliver projects more efficiently, we need to think beyond traditional approaches. Designing innovative solutions with the future in mind is becoming an increasingly important part of what we do.
Innovation isn’t always about using the latest technology. It can be as simple as finding a smarter way to solve a problem, improving constructability, reducing material usage, considering whole-life carbon, or designing infrastructure that is more adaptable for the future.
Over the last 10 years through innovation, collaboration and new ways of thinking we have been able to offer our clients sustainable solutions that anticipate the future of infrastructure design, below are a few project highlights that showcase our innovative design methods.
Lizard Lane
Client: South Tyneside Council
Location: Lizard Lane, South Shields
South Tyneside Council commissioned Lynas Engineers to develop a solution to address persistent speeding and significant carriageway flooding issues along Lizard Lane. The existing traffic-calming measures had been proved ineffective, while the constrained site presented a significant challenge for introducing new drainage infrastructure, with only the eastern verge available for attenuation.
A comprehensive programme of CCTV drainage surveys, utility trial holes, GPR, topographical and geotechnical investigations were undertaken to establish the existing conditions and assess potential drainage solutions. Analysis confirmed that infiltration was viable, while LIDAR and topographical data were used to identify contributing catchments, establish overland flow routes and calculate flow rates entering the carriageway. Micro Drainage modelling was then used to determine the maximum attenuation volume that could be accommodated within the limited verge footprint.
Following an assessment of alternative SuDS products, Lynas Engineers recommended HydroRock, an innovative artificial aquifer system offering a high void ratio, flexible sizing and straightforward installation. The innovative design of the system also meant that the individual units could be manually handled and installed without the need for heavy lifting machinery, making it particularly well suited to the constrained site and demonstrating a significantly different approach to conventional underground attenuation systems. This simplified and accelerated the installation process, providing additional programme and cost benefits while allowing the drainage solution to be delivered within the limited verge footprint. STC accepted the proposed solution, which was subsequently installed by the Council’s delivery team. The project represented the first use of HydroRock in the UK, providing an innovative and space-efficient approach to managing surface water and mitigating carriageway flooding within the significant physical constraints of the site.
A66 Throughabout
Client: Middlesbrough Council
Location: A66, Cargo Fleet Lane, South Bank Road, Middlesbrough
Lynas Engineers provided options development, detailed design, project management and construction supervision for improvements to two significant junctions on and adjacent to the A66 in Middlesbrough.The scheme was developed to address capacity constraints at the existing signalised roundabout and involved providing a continuous two-lane dual carriageway through the centre of the roundabout for A66 traffic, with access to the remaining routes maintained via the circulatory carriageway.The adjacent junction of South Bank Road and Cargo Fleet Lane was also converted from a roundabout to a signalised crossroads, delivering a significant improvement in capacity and network operation across both junctions.
Given the unusual configuration of the junctions, we ensured that the layout was intuitive and clear communication to road users was critical. Lynas Engineers developed the signing and road-marking strategy by virtually driving through the proposed junctions using the project’s 3D model alongside the client team, enabling the optimum positioning of signs and markings to improve driver understanding and navigation. During construction, Lynas Engineers acted as NEC Project Manager and supervised the works on behalf of the client.
The A66 Throughabout was selected as an example of innovative design because it introduced an unconventional junction arrangement to overcome significant capacity constraints while maintaining connectivity for local traffic. The creation of a continuous two-lane route through the centre of the existing roundabout was a bespoke solution to the dominant A66 traffic movement, complemented by the conversion of the adjacent junction to a signalised crossroads. Innovation extended beyond the physical design: Lynas Engineers used 3D modelling and virtual drive-throughs with the client to test the junction from a road user’s perspective and develop an intuitive signing and road-marking strategy. The scheme demonstrates how innovative geometric design, modelling and human factors can be combined to deliver a complex junction that is both higher-capacity and understandable to road users.
The project was subsequently nominated for the ICE Robert Stephenson Award in 2021, recognising the quality and innovation of the scheme.
Ramped Path
Client: Durham County Council
Location: Etherley, County Durham
Lynas Engineers developed the design and detailing of a kingpost retaining wall ramp, providing a robust and accessible solution while minimising the impact on the sensitive surroundings, working alongside long-term collaborators JME Consultants.
To celebrate the bicentenary of the world’s first steam-powered passenger railway, Durham County Council secured Levelling Up funding to create a new walking and cycling route along the historic Stockton & Darlington Railway line, connecting communities, encouraging sustainable travel and celebrating the area’s rich industrial heritage. The site is located within a Scheduled Monument, surrounded by mature woodland and within a high coal mining risk area, requiring careful consideration of environmental, heritage and ground conditions.
Lynas Engineers researched and agreed the ramps design parameters using a combination of industry best practice standards to promote an inclusive design, incorporating landings and gentle gradients. Sympathetic materials were selected to celebrate the rail industry of the past, which satisfied Historic England and ultimately led to gaining Scheduled Monument Consent. The ramp was modelled using Autodesk AutoCAD Civil3D to ensure gradients were shallow, with regular landings to provide comfort and ease of walking and cycling. The kingpost retaining wall was set out on site with precision and the build was supervised by our team on site. The innovative design was submitted for an IStructE award, where we received a commendation
The completed ramp now provides safe, sustainable access and a lasting connection to this historically significant route, demonstrating how thoughtful engineering and sensitive design can successfully overcome complex constraints within heritage environments.
YWS Stormtank Delivery
Client: Yorkshire Water (in collaboration with Seymour Civil Engineering)
Location: Rawcliffe
Lynas Engineers have delivered various new stormwater storage expansion projects as lead designer for Yorkshire Water, on behalf of Seymour Civil Engineering Contractors, as part of the seventh Asset Management Period (AMP7) framework.
Building on a strong existing relationship with SCEC and YW, Lynas Engineers was commissioned to provide structural and drainage design services at Rawcliffe Sewage Treatment Works (STW).
The Rawcliffe STW site required an additional 700m3 stormwater storage capacity. This was the greatest storage volume requirement of the 11 stormwater expansion projects that were constructed following designs produced by Lynas Engineers.
Several practical and innovative solutions were required to integrate new infrastructure within the existing site constraints. Some key examples included:
- Incorporating a 1m width channel: Rather than designing 2No. stormwater storage tanks connected by a low-level pipe, a 1m internal width channel was used to maximise the new tank storage area and connect two stormwater storage regions into a single tank.
- Piled Foundations: Recognising the proximity of 4No. existing stormwater tanks and surrounding constraints Lynas Engineers liaised with structural engineers at JMEC and a piling contractor to deliver a bespoke tank foundation design.
- 3D analysis: The new bespoke tank layout was created as a result of modelling existing site information, nearby constraints and liaising with SCEC to ensure buildability of the tank. Using Cut and Fill 3D analysis to calculate the new tank volume, Lynas Engineers were able to maximise the storage volume within a tightly constrained available working area.
- Althon FV600 – DN600 wall mounted flap valve: This provided an improvement to the typical stormwater tank cleaning method of manually hosing the tank with washwater to remove sediment build up. Once the storm event has ended and the existing tank emptied, this allowed the stored stormwater in the new tank to push the flap valve open on the low-level pipe connecting new and existing tanks and thereby released the new tank stormwater back into the existing tank. This flushed sediment from the new tank back into the existing tank which is cleaned by an existing scraper system.
Successful delivery of complex water infrastructure depends on more than the technical design alone.
Throughout the Rawcliffe project, Lynas Engineers worked closely with Yorkshire Water, and SCEC to ensure that the design accommodated operational, structural and construction requirements. This collaborative approach allowed first-time approval at Yorkshire Water Key Stage meetings, supporting the project programme and enabling construction to progress towards the required compliance date.
The Rawcliffe Storm Tank project demonstrates the value of combining sound engineering principles with practical problem-solving.
