Jackson is halfway though the Clacton Slope Stabilization Scheme aimed to prevent slipping occurring and make access to the lower promenade safer.
The company is undertaking the £3.8 million slope stabilization works, installing a new access ramp to the sea front on the Clacton/Holland coast line, on behalf of Tendring District Council.
According to Jackson, all piling activities have now been successfully installed. This consisted of 220 meters of king post piling within the embankment and 210 meters of sheet piling at the toe.
A specialist drainage scheme to take the groundwater from the slope down to the promenade is now underway.
To maintain stabilization, inclined slope drainage has been installed by a pioneering method called ‘directional drilling’ from the top of the cliff slope to the bottom.
This takes the groundwater into a specially built chamber on the promenade which will fall into the existing drainage system. A gravel filter drainage system is also being installed in front and behind the piled wall.
Recycled plastic enviro-chambers are being used on site to create the promenade manholes within the filter drainage system. Ordinarily these are constructed using concrete.
Works to construct a DDA (Disability Discrimination Act 2005) compliant footpath and access ramp is underway. This will benefit residents and visitors who are less mobile, and the ‘zig-zag’ design will make an attractive feature.
A walkway from Kings Avenue to the lower promenade will also be built – this very popular access point has been closed for many years due to the substantial cliff movement.
The works are due to complete in time for the summer season.