When you’re working on stabilising a steep school slope, there's no cutting corners — just careful planning, big machines, and a whole lot of earth.
Over the course of five months, the Langholm School slope was excavated, stabilised, drained, shaped, and restored. Abbotts delivered precise trenching, thoughtful stormwater solutions, and careful shaping work that prioritised long-term slope stability and environmental safety.
See what it really takes to complete a complex slip remediation project—follow the timeline below to watch it all unfold step by step.
18.04.24 – Early Site Access
Initial access and vegetation clearance begins. Machines move in and boundaries are marked.
23.04.24 – Stripping and Bench Cuts
The slope is stripped back, and early benching begins to allow machinery to safely operate on the incline.
09.05.24 – Mass Excavation Underway
Bulk earthworks are in full swing. Large volumes of soil are being shifted down the slope for offsite removal.
10.05.24 – Flattening Begins
Flattening operations commence - creating a safe, flat access point
20.05.24 – Trenches Begin
Deep trenching works begin, revealing the different soil strata. Stormwater management is being addressed.
22.05.24 – Deep Drainage Works
A team member stands in a deep trench, highlighting the scale of subsurface drainage infrastructure.
24.05.24 – Continued Bulk Removal
Excavators continue the push to remove unstable earth and prep for underground services.
30.05.24 – Excavation Continues
Trucks are loaded from above as excavation cuts further into the slope face.
04.06.24 – Key Stormwater Works
Pipes are beginning to appear as initial runs are trenched and aligned.
06.06.24 – Deep Trenching Continues
A trench over two metres deep is carefully dug and prepared for subsoil drains.
12.06.24 – Depth and Accuracy
Confirming fall and depth before drains are laid.
18.06.24 – Drain Material Staged
Graded drainage metal is staged and prepared for trench backfill.
20.06.24 – Lower Slope Shaping
Lower slope areas are cut and shaped, prepping for final trimming and service alignment.
21.06.24 – First Layer Backfilled
Drains are laid and the first backfill layer is compacted in place.
25.06.24 – Ongoing Backfill
Red scoria is spread to protect drainage pipes as backfilling continues across the slope.
06.08.24 – Stabilise
Rollers and compactors move in to stabilise the now reshaped slope.
08.08.24 – Surface Finishing
Fine shaping and compaction give form to the final slope.
13.08.24 – Final Shaping
Topsoil and shaping finalised, track marks show controlled machine movement.
20.08.24 – Light Clean-Up
With drainage and shaping complete, surface is cleaned and detail work begins.
23.08.24 – A Clean Finish
The lower fence line and access point are reformed, with clean cut edges and safe access restored.
