Retaining Wall with Sculptural Relief by William Mitchell, Kidderminster

A 320m long sculptural concrete retaining wall, built between 1972 and 1973, designed by J G Stewart in collaboration with Douglas H Smith, with decorative surface relief designed by William Mitchell.

MATERIALS: the wall is constructed of air entrained concrete cast in situ using full-height shuttering lined with decorative moulds.

PLAN: the wall is approximately 320m long and is situated on the east side of the A451 running north to south alongside Hoo Road, between Comberton Hill and the Worcester Road junction.

DESCRIPTION: the wall has an average height of eight metres, reaching approximately eleven metres at its highest point and gradually falling to around two metres at either end.

The wall is composed of multiple concrete panels featuring sculptural relief designs. The majority of the panels incorporate a deeply profiled surface finish, simulating the appearance of a natural rock face, composed from vertically arranged moulded sections about one meter wide.

These have been interspersed with ten individually designed panels inserted at regular intervals along the length of the wall. These display a variety of textured relief designs, combining naturalistic forms with abstract and geometric detailing.

The wall is separated from the pavement by a landscaped border incorporating paved seating areas with benches, trees and shrubs. Vegetation has grown across parts of the wall, particularly at its northern end. This has concealed the former waterfall panel, though it is still believed to be present.