Working on behalf of Bournemouth Borough Council, Mackley has begun a clean-up operation after parts of Bournemouth’s East Cliff collapsed during a landslip in April.
The operation began on 11 May after tonnes of rock and rubble plunged 100ft onto Bournemouth promenade during the landslip on 24 April. The project, which Mackley has been asked to complete in just three weeks, includes removing the lift carriages from the East Cliff funicular railway which links Bournemouth seafront with the promenade and town centre beyond.
A 120 tonne mobile crane is being used to remove loose debris from the slope and cliff lift, including rock-filled gabion baskets and any loose boulders.
Once the debris has been cleared from the tracks the lift carriages will be raised off the restraining rails and up to the working site at the top of the cliff.
When the cliff top is cleared of all loose materials, works will then focus on the bottom of the cliff area. The project team will initially remove all debris, and regrade the slipped cliff material to stabilise this section of the slope.
Larry Austin, Bournemouth Borough Council director of environment services, said: “As we now move towards this next phase of works we will see an operation to recover the debris from the recent cliff slip on site.
“During this time a contractor working zone will be in place with large machinery being operated, therefore pedestrian access will be restricted along the cliff top.
“It is our intention to have the site cleared within the next few weeks ahead of the Wheels Festival (3-5 June).
“Once we have undertaken the clean-up operation we will establish any longer term actions that may be required.”
16 May 2016
