Land will be stabilised as part of development

A way forward has been agreed by Dorset Council and the new owner of land next to Old Castle Road in Weymouth.

Following successful discussions with the new owner, who has committed to buy the land off Old Castle Road, it has been agreed that the slipped land will be stabilised as part of its development, which will also stabilise the road.

Cllr Ray Bryan, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said: “This is a good outcome for a difficult situation and I’m sure many local residents will feel relieved and reassured that we now have a clear way forward.

“I’d like to thank the Old Castle Road Residents’ Association for the input they have had in this process. I’d also like to thank our Head of Highways Jack Wiltshire for his efforts in getting this situation resolved.”

With the land stabilised, plans to provide alternative access to Old Castle Road across the Rodwell trail will not be needed. As part of the negotiations with the new landowner, in order to work together on a solution to the slipped land, money allocated to building an alternative access route will be contributed to the stabilisation works.

Provided that the project meets no unforeseen difficulties, the stabilisation works for the development, which will support the road, will be carried out during the Autumn.

Last month, Dorset Highways completed work to install a continuous kerb line of 45m to prevent surface water from entering the landslide system.

Council engineers will also continue to carry out regular inspections for signs of cliff retreat, subsidence and tension cracks to identify ongoing movement and risk. This includes monitoring:

• the road
• the ground between the kerbside and cliff edge
• surface water flows
• toe erosion (at the base of the cliff)
• the landslide itself

For safety reasons, the road will be closed if there is any sign of collapse observed in the carriageway and alternative emergency access arrangements will be provided for residents.