Media centre

Tuesday 7 Sep 2004

LANDSLIDES ARE A THING OF THE PAST

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Following a series of landslides alongside the railway line over the years at Fly Arch near South Brent, an investment project to maintain the long term safe operation of the railway serving Devon has been successfully completed to stabilise the cutting slopes. Continual weathering and the accumulation of light deposits had made the cuttings potentially unstable.  Consequently, emergency works were undertaken in February 2003 to provide short term slope stability, including the clearance of certain high trees to reduce the short term risk to the railway line ahead of the nesting season.  The works, which have been ongoing since February and have avoided disruption to rail services, have included: ·        Installation of new drainage systems ·        Securing 3,400m² of mesh to the slope ·        Laying low maintenance grass to complement the surrounding agricultural environment The five-month long project was carried out by contractors Dean & Dyball and was completed at the end of July.             Andy Jenkins, Network Rail’s Project Manager, said: “As part of Network Rail’s ongoing programme to upgrade and enhance Devon’s rail network, it was important to provide longer term slope stability to Fly Arch.  Everyone’s hard work has meant that we have been able to limit disruption from future landslides for those rail passengers using this stretch of the railway.”