Fairhurst was pleased to support Amco Giffen and Network Rail in responding to a reported rockfall on the KYL line in northwest Scotland. The rockfall was observed to have occurred at a high rock cutting near Stromeferry. The initial emergency response comprised a site visit carried out on the same day, with a detailed rope access inspection being completed in the subsequent days.
Access to the slope was significantly restricted by the remote location, the natural topography in the form of steep, densely-vegetated natural slopes above the cutting slope, and by the sea (Loch Carron) directly on the opposite side of the track. The inspections were followed by delivery of expedited design sketches and draft documentation to enable rapid acceptance by the client and mobilisation of the contractor team. The design proposals comprised standard details in the form of rock netting and reinforcement dowels, augmented by bespoke cabling details to account for the large rockfall hazards delineated by highly-dilated joints and the stepped slope geometry.
Fairhurst’s specialist rope access qualified engineering geologists visited site to mark out the works during construction. Removal of vegetation to improve access to the work site exposed additional rockfall hazards higher up the natural slopes above the cutting, which resulted in a change in scope. Fairhurst enabled effective decision-making by the client through clear communication of the additional hazards and remedial solutions required to reduce risk, ensuring delays were minimised during the already short construction timeframe. The works were successfully delivered during the summer of 2025.
