The Channel Island’s Civil Engineering Contractor
Keeping the Rock Steady - Geomarine Work to Secure Unstable Cliff Face at Greve de Lecq
Rock climbers have been working hard this winter to secure the unstable cliff face at Greve de Lecq in time for summer.
The £460,000 States-led project, which started in November with a controlled explosion to level out the cliff is expected to be finished by the middle of April.
Geomarine workers have been mostly operating in harnesses for several weeks as they secure a protective metal mesh in place with heavy duty bolts-some of which are eight metres long.
Ross Fearney, the Project Manager for TTSD, said that everthing was going to plan and that the area, which has been closed for two years because it was so unstable, would soon be open to the public.
'Following removal (by explosion) of the overhanging areas Geomarine workers have been installing the metal fence with rock anchors,' he said.
'The bolts which are between two and eight metres long, connect the loose areas into the solid rock behind.
'The workers have been carrying out the job by rope-hang access, although they do use hoists or cherry-pickers for areas that are lower down.'
The land was gifted to the States by its previous owner because it required extensive work to make it safe, including removing the old netting that had fallen into disrepair. When finished, the new netting will cover an are of 4,000 square metres above the end of the pier and, with regular maintenance, should not need to be replaced any time soon.
'It is essential work,' Mr Fearney added.
''The whole area has been closed for the last two years because the whole face was so unstable. The pier should be back open to the public by the summer and the Greve de Lecq Boatowners' Association will also be able to return to the area.
JEP Wednesday 8th February
To view Channel Tv's coverge of the rock-face blasting in November, please click on the link below:-
http://www.channelonline.tv/channelonline_jerseynews/displayarticle.asp?id=497198
