A detailed report carried out by geologist specialists Frederick Sherrell Ltd of Rock Walk is now available to the public.

The report, identifying the extent of stability issues in the area as well as the technical solutions required, is available to download (see Related Documents).

The main points initially emerging from the report are:

• there is substantially more de-scaling required to remove loose material from the rock face to allow netting to be installed
• it is expected that the natural and planted vegetation will obscure the netting over time
• most of the heavy rock can be dowelled and pinned - more commonly referred to as rock bolting
• it is expected that the current carriageway closure will remain in place during the works but no further road closures will be necessary
• some soil stabilisation along the rock face on the top level may be necessary
• a substantial amount of the rock face has been identified as requiring rock fall netting
• certain areas in the middle section of Rock Walk have been identified as needing 6M long rock anchors
• all structures e.g. footbridges to be removed
• further borehole investigations are required in the parts of the middle section to determine stability
• high risk areas of medium scale rock fall have been identified at the Western end of the rock face and large scale rock falls towards the middle section
• across the whole rock face the majority of the areas have been identified as at least medium to high risk of rock fall.

The extent of some of the issues are yet to be determined and will probably be unveiled once the descaling works begin (uncovers the rock beneath and may highlight other issues) this is an ongoing process.

Cabinet Member Councillor Chris Lewis said: "The extent of the stability issues on Rock Walk, identified within the report, have not come as a surprise.  However, the work needed to ensure that it is safe for the future is more than we initially anticipated.

"The presence of netting will restrict where we are able to carry out landscaping and plant design, both from a practical and future maintenance point of view.  However, we should not forget that Rock Walk is a seaside cliff face and we hope that in the future, when the vegetation has grown over the netting, that there will be a beautiful mix of natural cliff vegetation combined with areas that have been landscaped.

"Unfortunately we are unable to provide an estimate as to how much the work could cost as we are due to enter into a tendering process shortly and want to ensure that we get the best possible price.

"I would once again like to reiterate that the recent clearance work carried out on Rock Walk did not cause these problems it simply exposed the extent of them."

Work is due to start on stabilising the rock face at the beginning of October 2008, to avoid the peak season, and will take approximately 8 months to complete.

During this time the whole area will be cleared of any loose debris and a large proportion of the rock face will be netted whilst other areas will require large bolts to secure boulders in place.

Areas unaffected by the stabilisation measures will then form part of a landscape plan to include a planting scheme and pathway through the gardens.

Torbay Council has also submitted a bid for Government funding - specifically for cultural and heritage projects - towards works of art and a viewing platform for Rock Walk.

	Hazard Table Summary of rockfall hazards and proposed stabilisation measures for Rock Walk Gardens in Torquay. Last updated: 18/07/2008 (47 KB)
	Covering Letter Letter to Torbay Council from Frederick Sherrell Ltd regarding the preliminary report of the engineering geological inspection of Rock Walk Gardens in Torquay. Last updated: 18/07/2008 (101 KB)
	Stabalisation Plan Plan illustrating the proposed stabalisation works for Rock Walk Gardens in Torquay. Last updated: 18/07/2008 (1.1 MB)
	Site Location Plan showing the site location of Rock Walk Gardens in Torquay. Last updated: 18/07/2008 (219 KB)

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