Final section of wall that closed Bridgnorth Cliff Railway for a year to be secured to prevent 'major injuries or fatality'

At a cost to local taxpayers of more than £750,000, Bridgnorth Town Council paid contractors to repair the section of the wall posing a danger to the Cliff Railway.

The project took more than 14 months, putting the Cliff Railway out of action until March last year.

A remaining section of the wall was secured by Shropshire Council with netting, but a report commission by the town council has found that this fix could lead to the “probable likelihood” of future collapse.

ADM Structural, contractors say if the work is not completed “multiple major injuries or fatality” could result if the wall failed and debris fell down the slope and cleared the protection netting installed by Shropshire County Council at the edge of the cliff.

The wall sits above a number of homes and businesses in Low Town, including funeral directors Perry & Philips.

So the town council is planning to remedy the situation and has submitted an application to Shropshire Council works to secure the remaining section of the ageing wall.

The application, which is in its statutory consultation phase, will see “soil nails” used to complement the restraint netting to secure the rest of the slope behind the retaining will to prevent any future collapse.

These near metre-long nails are to be driven into the soil, securing the embankment and slope.

ADM Structural say the nails are "an appropriate solution to stabilising slopes and retaining walls on sandstone bedrock. The technique has been successfully used on similar slope stabilisation schemes".

Residents have until March 30 to comment on the proposals.

Andrew Moss, Bridgnorth Town Council’s consultant structural engineer, said: “Movement has been  detected within a short section of an old retaining wall. We believe we should go ahead and  make the repairs as soon as possible, probably by late May, to prevent brickwork and the  soil behind it from, potentially, becoming detached and rolling down the slope to the houses  and businesses below.”

Mr Moss added: “The stretch of wall concerned is probably close to 100 years old and has  been affected by the weather. We had slow progressive movement of 1mm per month up to  Christmas then noted a big jump of 10mm after Christmas. This has now settled down to the  slow progressive rate. However, if it is left untouched, it could cause major safety concerns.”

He said it is likely that the work will include anchors and teel netting to stabilise the hillside, although  the exact process is still under review. The detailed construction plan will be shared with  residents and businesses potentially affected once a company has been chosen. It is likely  that at least part of the Castle Walk will need to be closed until the work is completed.

Details can be found at: next.shropshire.gov.uk/planning/applications using planning reference: 25/00484/FUL

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