RBL drives precast piles for Eurovia plant

Roger Bullivant Limited (RBL), part of VINCI Construction, is making strong progress on piling for Eurovia UK’s new asphalt plant and green aggregates processing facility in Grays, Essex. Delivered with VINCI Building, the scheme includes an ECO asphalt plant, re-processing aggregate facility, storage bays, hoppers, tanks and weighbridges.

Engaged early to address complex ground conditions—soft tidal deposits over gravels and chalk—RBL’s South Central team designed a driven solution using 250 mm square precast concrete piles. The approach was validated through early pile testing and a bespoke site investigation programme, with the pile design catering for compression and horizontal actions, raised platform levels and potential negative skin friction.

The precast piles are manufactured off site at RBL’s South Derbyshire facility, enabling tight quality control, reduced waste and lower embodied carbon than typical cast-in-situ options. To meet a delivery-driven programme, RBL has mobilised three 5000-series quiet hammer rigs and stockpiled pile sections on site to maintain an uninterrupted supply.

Ben Gough, regional operations manager at RBL, said: “Collaborating with VINCI Building and Eurovia from the outset has allowed us to deliver an efficient, sustainable piling solution that’s already well underway and on track to meet the client’s programme.”

RBL said the project reflects its growing portfolio in industrial and non-residential developments and demonstrates how early engagement and group-wide collaboration can de-risk challenging ground, accelerate delivery and support lower-carbon foundations.