Work started at Chesil Cove, Portland today as part of a larger monitoring study with Channel Coast Observatory working jointly with Southern Coastal Group.
The study looks into coastal protection in Weymouth and Portland and will allow us to build a detailed ground model of the current coastal slope, which will inform our longer coastal management strategy for this sensitive area of coastline.
This phase of the investigation will take approximately three weeks and will see eight boreholes drilled along the cove. To keep disruption to a minimum, drilling will take place between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday, and public access such as cycle and pedestrian walkways will be remain open.
I recognise that this is important work to ensure the future protection of Portland, but could you reassure me that the men working on these bore holes have been properly briefed about the Chiswell Earthworks sculpture that they are drilling on? This is an internationally recognised sculpture, by John Maine, and was commissioned by local people. It is of great importance to the local community.
Hi Joanna,
Thank you for for query.
The drillers are highly qualified workers being managed and supervised by Chartered Geologists and a team of engineers. The importance of the environment and structure they are working on has been emphasised throughout tendering, contract appointment and now site work. Being a site of special scientific interest and a special area of conservation, we have had our method statements and ways of working approved by Natural England to work in these environments and boreholes have been located so as to avoid any unnecessary disturbance to vegetation etc.
Many thanks,
Ashleigh
Can we go down there to look at in detail many people are asking me what it is.