the certain aspects of the invention if a plurality of openable side wall sections are provided on one side wall it is also contemplated that openable side wall sections may be provided on both side wall sections of an individual compartment to allow access to the fill material from both sides accordingly the invention provides a multi compartmental gabion as described wherein the pivotal connection between the connected side wall element panels of at least a plurality of opposed side wall sections is provided by a hinge member provided between a first side wall element panel of a given side wall section and a second neighbouring side wall element panel of the given or a neighbouring side wall section and by a releasable locking member cooperating with the hinge member releasably to secure the pivotal connection also contemplated within the scope of the invention is a multi compartmental gabion as described wherein the pivotal connection between the connected side wall element panels of at least a plurality of opposed side wall sections is provided by a first hinge member provided on a first side wall element panel of a given side wall section and by a second hinge member on a second side wall element panel of the given or a neighbouring side wall section and by a releasable locking member connecting the first hinge member to the second hinge member also contemplated is that openable side wall sections may be provided alternately on first and second opposed side walls along at least part of the length of the gabion in this way when a gabion is being recovered cooperating.