In December 2015, following a period of exceptionally wet weather, a landslip occurred which damaged the B6318 between Tarras Bridge and A7/Skipper’s bridge. The landslip displaced several thousand m3 of material, ruptured a high pressure water main, disrupted natural drainage lines and rendered the route impassable and impacted property below the slope. The event occurred in an area with a history of slope instability in a complex geological setting.
The road had been closed since the date of the landslip, however the Client (Dumfries and Galloway Council) needed it to be re-opened as the road is frequently used as an alternate route between Canonbie to Langholm when the A7 is closed. Remediation and re-instatement works were required to enable the road to be
re-opened.
Following the ground investigation and subsequent slope assessment, Fairhurst scoped the following required works to enable the reopening of the road:Fairhurst Glasgow scoped and managed a Ground Investigation to gather information on the geotechnical properties of the superficial deposits and bedrock at the landslip and along a 300m stretch of adjacent road and land.
Fairhurst prepared the civils contracts document and managed the tender process for the works under Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) which out to tender in October/November 2018.
Site works began in early January 2019, with Fairhurst acting in a site supervision and project management role for the NEC3 Options A Contracts. Site works were completed in late May 2019.
All design services were provided via the Fairhurst Glasgow office, including geotechnical, drainage, civil & structural inputs. This ensured a successful reinstatement and remediation project in spite of the complex constraints.