Published on Friday 11 September 2020
Work to repair and stabilise the cliffs at Canford Cliffs following a cliff slip in 2017, is due to commence on Monday 21 September.
The work, which is expected to last up to nine months, will address the landslip below Cliff Drive. In 2017 a section of cliff eroded and slid halfway down the cliff face as a result of bad weather and a subsequent slip adjacent to this area happened in December 2019 / January 2020. These works will enable further investment into the seafront, with the plans to improve and upgrade the visitor facilities at Canford Cliffs beach.
CAN Geotechnical has been appointed to carry out this scheme, with the site compound being set up from 14 September. The extensive works involve drilling soil nails, up to 15m in length, into the cliff face using long reach excavators from the cliff top and the promenade below. They will then be covered with a structural mesh and erosion-protection matting.
A section of Cliff Drive will be closed to vehicles for the duration of the works, with on-road parking suspended. Access will be maintained for residents, carers and visitors to off-road parking areas and driveways; and the emergency services, refuse collection and construction vehicles.
Pedestrian access to Cliff Drive will also be maintained while the zig-zag path to the beach will be closed. Residents and visitors will able to access the beach at Flaghead Chine and Canford Cliffs Chine pathways which will remain open.
The work on the cliffs, a Site of Nature Conservation Interest is being guided by the council’s Biodiversity Officer to safeguard the nationally rare habitat of maritime heath which provide an ideal habitat for the rare sand lizard and the Dartford Warbler. Surveys have ensured disturbance to wildlife is kept to a minimum and reptile fencing was erected in 2018 to exclude them from working areas.
Councillor Vikki Slade, Leader of BCP Council commented,
"We have invested £9.5 million into our seafront development programme to help enhance the coastline’s natural assets and ensure our seafront infrastructure is modern and vibrant. We know how incredibly lucky we are to have this wonderful coastline on our doorstep, and we want to ensure we protect its future by providing world-class facilities for both residents and visitors to enjoy.
"There have been extensive preparations for this new cliff stabilisation scheme including cliff stability monitoring, geological investigations, assessments of historical stabilisation schemes and ecological requirements in this Site of Nature Conservation Interest.
"I would like to thank our beach hut occupants and local residents in the Canford Cliffs area for their patience while this all takes place, as well as all who use the beach for their understanding during these important works."
The council’s sustainable environment pledge towards protecting and enhancing the natural environment, is highlighted in the commitment to the work taking place on the cliffs.
For more information about this scheme, please visit https://poolebay.net/project/canford-cliffs-stabilisation-works/