I often visit sites and wonder ‘How?’ or ‘Why?’ In this particular occasion, I thought both how and why?
This was a new project, including excavating the rear garden to new levels, and erecting a new fence to one side of the garden. By definition, by excavating (both lower and upper terraces were lower than the neighbouring sites by the time the grading had been completed) there was a requirement to retain the soil on both sides. The left-hand side had existing fencing which was left in situ, whilst the right had all new fencing.
The contractor decided to use concrete gravel boards – at least, in part. The upper part. The bottom section was left unsecured, to heights of up to 500mm. I have no idea what the plan was for retaining the soil, as there were no plans or working drawings, and by this time, the contractor had been told to leave site.
How and why the short concrete post was installed, I have no idea. Not only did it not match the others, it was far too short – and yet, to exchange it now would be very difficult. The concrete gravel board to the inside of the sleeper wall is sloping, whilst the right-hand panel is more or less level across the top. Perhaps is was an original post that somehow remained as a temporary measure?