Rock barrier plans to protect gas pipe from cliff erosion in Walney

A planning application will be submitted to create an armour rock barrier to protect a gas pipeline from further erosion of a cliff face.

The land at South End farm on Walney, where the gas pipelines make landfall, is currently at risk of geotechnical failure - meaning the interaction between structures that meet with the land fail.

A planning application will be submitted by Spirit Energy Production UK and it will be determined by Westmorland and Furness Council if an Environmental Impact Assessment will be needed.

The applicant says that the protective barrier on the South coast of Walney will provide a long-term solution. Documents state that slumping has already been witnessed on the cliff face which has caused a fence to collapse.

The proposed scheme plans to deliver a design that is acceptable to both the public and authorities whilst respecting environmental features, according to a report.

Currently a 24 foot and a three foot methenol pipeline make landfall. No works will be taking place below mean high water springs.

Surveys have also revealed that that erosion is 'progressing to the point where pipeline exposure may occur in a short period of time.'

The armour rock barrier was determined as the method to protect the pipelines which will consist of rock weight loading and textiles for keeping the rock in place.

Local materials will be used similar to the defences used north of the site up the coast.

The design will use fine gravel backfill against the cliff face with the large armour rock placed over that which will be extended out to the beach for further stability.

The rock size will be about 1m to ensure protection from the waves. The existing temporary rock dump at the toe of the eroded slope will be removed.

Construction is estimated to take around 10 weeks with the England Coast Path that runs through the site diverted.

There would also be a temporary haul road with access via Honeypot Lane which is an unmade road off Mawflat Lane.

A temporary road will be made off the small car parking area where Honeypot Lane stops through the field towards the top of the slope.

We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.

Please report any comments that break our rules.

Last Updated:

Are you sure you want to delete this comment?