New wall should help stop landslips
A new retaining wall is to be erected as part of a redesign of ongoing groundworks near a busy stretch of an Ayrshire road.
And as many as 160 ground anchors will also be secured onto land next to the A77 at Carlock Wall, south of Ballantrae.
The stretch is used by a significant number of vehicles every day, including those heading to and from the ferry port at Cairnryan, as well as day-trippers and other road users.
Now Amey, on behalf of Transport Scotland, is undertaking a programme of ground improvement works to address and prevent possible landslips at the site.
Work had commenced on the scheme by the previous south-west trunk road operating company back in February 2020, with the installation of the site compound.
However, this scheme came under the operational control of Amey at the outset of the new Network Management Contract South-West (NMC SW) in August 2020.
And a spokesperson for Amey said: “As construction continued, Amey identified unforeseen adverse ground conditions including the bed rock not being in the original anticipated design location and unstable material on the slope face which required additional stabilisation.
“These complex factors have a significant impact on the design and volume of work required to implement a safe and sustainable solution.
“A redesign is currently underway to accommodate the actual ground conditions, including review of the construction programme.
“To facilitate the redesign, Amey have conducted various investigative tests. As part of the additional works package, the site has commenced construction of an additional platform located at the toe of the existing slope.
“This platform and the lower slope will be secured with an additional 160 ground anchors.
“This will support the overall slope and the new retaining wall being constructed.
“The additional design work is currently at final approval stage with full and confirmed details expected to be announced within the coming weeks.
“Conditions on the A77 at Carlock Wall are closely monitored by our engineering team and we thank road users for their patience as we ensure the safe development of an improvement scheme that will provide long term benefits on the route.”
Drivers, and particularly those heading for ferry services, are advised to allow some additional time for their journeys while these works are progressing.
Special arrangements will be made for emergency service vehicles; however, no extra specifications have been made for wind farm traffic or other oversized vehicles.