Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering Ltd

Cardiff Bay Barrage

Client: Cardiff Bay Development Corporation

The Cardiff Bay Barrage is one of the largest investment and engineering projects in the UK. Measuring 1.1km in length, the Barrage impounds two main rivers, the Taff and the Ely to create a 500 acre freshwater inland Bay and a permanent waterfront of some 12.8km. The Barrage has made the Bay accessible at all tides and has realised major development and urban renewal in the area.

Construction of the Barrage comprised:

• Major dredging works
• An 850 metre long sand and rock embankment 75 metres wide in a sweeping
• S-curve from Queen Alexandra Head to Penarth Head (north).
• Three navigational locks of internal dimensions 40 metres x 10.5 metres, with hydraulically operated sector gates to allow easy access of yachts and fishing vessels.
• Five vertical lift double hook sluice gates, each of nine metres width. Sluice stilling basins with mass concrete piers supporting the gates and with in-situ bridge decks. A steel gantry crane with an 8.5 metre span between rails.
• A fish pass and culvert to allow 15 cubic metres per second of water and migrating fish to move easily into the Bay and on into the rivers.
• A tied sheet piled, sand filled structure for the Penarth Link.
• 370 metres of screen breakwaters consisting of caisson units with an in-situ concrete deck.
• A harbour measuring nearly two hectares with a capacity of shelter for 200 yachts.
• A prestigious control building with cafe and viewing platforms

Back to selection