Dartford Cliff Stabilisation

Ingleton Wood were appointed to inspect the cliff adjacent to Eagles Road following some cliff face displacement over the Christmas period. Our Structural Engineer found that much of the cliff face was actually obscured by heavy foliage which was restricting a proper inspection and was also causing extra loading. 

Our project team which included Structural Engineers, Project Managers and Quantity Surveyors, worked with Dartford Borough Council to put together a scheme with progressive steps built within it to provide reasonably fixed prices to reflect the levels of works required as the cliff face was gradually uncovered. This process resulted in the appointment of the lead Contractor, Clifford Devlin.

The first stage was to remove the surface covering of foliage without damaging the cliff face and to not destroy the habitats of animals living on or around the site. Various ecology studies and trial investigations were undertaken to accommodate this. In addition, to safeguard residents around the cliff and particularly on top of it, our Health and Safety and Commercial Building Surveying teams reviewed the construction proposals and designs, preparing Party Wall Awards where suitable.  Once works progressed it became clear that some areas of the cliff face required more severe remedial works. The Contract prepared by Ingleton Wood allowed the flexibility to adapt the scheme as necessary. It was considered prudent to introduce a metal curtain or netting system to the cliff to retain future material falling from the face. For this, CAN, a specialist in this type of system were brought in.

The project completed in February 2021and the inclusion of paths and catch fences requested by Dartford Borough Council means that future maintenance should prove more sustainable and help to stabilise the erosion of the cliff face and provide peace of mind to the adjacent residents.