Date set for Scarborough Spa slope stabilisation scheme

A Defra grant of £11.6m, administered by the Environment Agency, has made up the bulk of the funding for the scheme, which will cost £13.453, with the difference being made up by contributions from Scarborough Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

Cllr Mike Cockerill, Scarborough Borough Council Cabinet Member for Project Leadership, Harbours, Coast and Flood Protection said: “I am delighted that following finalisation of the contract with Balfour Beatty, a date has been set for the scheme to start. This is a major engineering project and the works are critical for reducing the risk of a deep seated landslip damaging or destroying properties located within the immediate South Cliff area.

“Alongside the delivery of the project, we will be working closely with Balfour Beatty to ensure regular communication and engagement with the local South Cliff community throughout the course of the work.”

Scarborough Borough Council has appointed Balfour Beatty to deliver the scheme, which is expected to be completed by Christmas 2019.

The council and its contractor is however mindful that the timetable for works of this magnitude could be subject to the unpredictable influences of weather and the surrounding coastal environment.

Prior to the formal start on site at the end of the month, Balfour Beatty will be undertaking some initial ground investigations from May 21 onwards.

Stephen Semple, Balfour Beatty Managing Director for North & Midlands East Delivery Unit, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the Scarborough Spa Slope Stabilisation Scheme contract by Scarborough Borough Council. We have extensive coastal protection experience and have successfully completed numerous cliff stabilisation schemes.

“We look forward to commencing works, which will strengthen and improve the slopes below the Esplanade and behind the historic Scarborough Spa, through on-going collaboration with Scarborough Borough Council and our integrated delivery team.”

The Scarborough Spa Slope Stabilisation Scheme, which will start on Wednesday 30 May, will involve piling along the rear of the Spa complex with almost horizontal drainage to address the deep seated failure of the slope, soil reinforcement (‘nailing’) and re-grading of the slope to address shallow and medium seated instabilities, together with further drainage measures, other works including repairs to the arch structure near the Spa Cliff lift and relaying of cliff access paths and basic landscaping and replanting.

Ed Hinton, Senior Advisor for Flood and Coastal Risk Management at the Environment Agency said: “We’re pleased to be contributing more than £11m of government funding to this Scarborough Borough Council project, which will help protect 380 homes. We work closely with local authorities, providing advice and guidance, to help them plan for and manage coastal erosion. We look forward to working with the council on this and other future schemes to better protect local communities.”

Cllr Don Mackenzie, North Yorkshire County Council Executive Member for Access, said: “The County Council is very pleased to be a partner in this essential scheme. Not only is our investment intended to protect our highway, but we wish also to support Scarborough Borough Council in giving local residents the reassurance that action is being taken to protect this part of the coast and the community nearby.”