Stabilisation Works Complete

A MAJOR project to stabilise the cliffs area across Belton Way in Leigh has been completed.

 Phase two of the £1.4m project, designed to stop the cliffs collapsing, has seen a variety of works completed across Belton Way East, Belton Way West and Belton Gardens.

 This has included the installation of 350 metres of gabion baskets, alongside pavement and road resurfacing, as well as the installation of piles for stabilisation.

 This work was commenced after a collapsed wall in the area sparked fears of a cliff slip.

 Work was also undertaken on the retaining wall at the top of Belton Way East, which has now been finished and opened to the public, along with refurbished steps and railings.

 Southend City Council is assuring residents that the next part of the plan will see flower beds in this area replanted soon.

 Coun Lydia Hyde, cabinet member for climate, environment and waste says: “Southend is blessed with wonderful cliffs across the seafront and into Leigh.

 “However, managing a cliff slip is essential to keep the area safe and it is always taken seriously.

 “Without this work that has taken place in recent years and more recently, any further movement could potentially have had an impact on surrounding homes, roads and Network Rail assets too.

 “This project has had cross-party support since it began and it is great to see that it has been finished and delivered to such a high standard by our contractor Marlborough.”

 The work follows the council securing £3.2m in Government funding to carry out ground investigation and stabilisation works in the area, with some initial work on Belton Way East completed in 2020.

 Whilst this work has been completed, road works remain in place on Cliff Parade, between Leigh Hill and Avenue Road, due to “ongoing deterioration.”

 The instability of the road surface is due to the burrowing activity of badgers, whose setts in the cliffs are undermining the road.

 A £2 million scheme to prevent Cliff Parade from collapsing has necessitated the traffic light control system whilst a part of the road remains closed off.

 Southend City Council is applying for a new license from Natural England to install a series of one-way gates at the entrances to the badger sett, enabling the animals to exit the area, but blocking them from re-entering.

 A council spokesman said: “Subject to obtaining the licence, we will take the necessary steps to ensure the badgers have vacated the area. Once we confirm that the badgers have moved, we can commence work to establish the extent of the repairs required.

“The footway and road will then be repaired and reopened.”

Picture: Completed work at Belton Way. Pic SCC.

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