Friday, 8 May 2015

Request for safety fencing at landslip site

Last year a comprehensive and time consuming programme of works was carried out to correct the effects of a landslip just off the A1086 between Blackhall Colliery and Horden.

The former council compound opposite Blackhall steps
Once the works had been completed we asked for the site, a former council compound, to be fenced off to make it secure against trespass. We had previously contacted the council to express our concerns about the risk of accidents at the site of the landslip, which is now essentially a sheer drop into the dene.

We have also reported to the council that incidents of fly-tipping are increasing at the compound, which is directly opposite Blackhall steps. We have asked that the council restore the boundary fence behind the north-bound bus shelter and also install gates to make the site secure against unauthorised access.

The newly installed bus shelter with the site of the landslip to the left of the image
Because of our concerns about the potential risk to public safety at this site we will continue to press the council's assets and highways departments until adequate security works have been carried out. In the meantime we would discourage anyone from entering the site without appropriate authorisation. 

As ever, we will update on progress through the pages of this site.