People can get a behind-the-scenes look at the landslip repair work on the A431 Kelston Road in a new video.
It has been released by Bath & North East Somerset Council and its highway maintenance contractor Skanska.
Drilling and constructing the deep concrete piles is due to start next week. The extensive repair works involves drilling down as far as 15 metres below the existing ground surface to fill it with concrete foundations, in stronger stable ground, to support the road.
The road, which has been closed since February, will then be rebuilt, the drainage improved and the road resurfaced. The A431 is on schedule to reopen to through traffic by Christmas.
The video, at http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/streets-and-highway-maintenance/roadworks/major-transport-schemes/a431-kelston-road, shows footage of excavators cutting a series of steps – known as benches – into the hillside below the road, and installing a platform on top that will support the equipment needed to bore the concrete piles for the permanent repair.
Cllr Paul Crossley, the leader of the council, said: “We’re keen to let people see the excellent progress we’re making on the permanent repairs to the Kelston Road, so we encourage people to check out the video which offers first-hand accounts of the story so far.
“Bath & North East Somerset Council’s priority has always been to achieve a permanent solution which means we need not suffer such problems in the future. We are committed to keeping the public informed and we plan to release further video updates as the scheme progresses.”
Installing the piling platform required around 15,000 cubic metres of stone to be delivered to the site – that’s enough stone to fill six Olympic size swimming pools. The stone has been locally sourced from the Mendip Hills – keeping cost and delivery time to a minimum – and it will be recycled afterwards.
The council has asked all utility companies to complete any planned work on the Kelston Road during the road closure period in order to avoid any disruption after the works are completed.
Cllr Crossley added: “We have every sympathy with road users, residents and businesses affected by the Kelston Road closure. We are working hard to ensure that the repair works carried out are as effective, efficient and practical as possible.”
The total approved budget for the project now stands at £2.66m and the council has been lobbying the Government to help with the cost. North East Somerset MP Jacob Rees-Mogg has written to the Transport Secretary asking for money to help B&NES fund the works.
Meanwhile the toll road, which opened two months ago, continues to be popular with hundreds of vehicle using it every day to avoid the detour through Keynsham and Saltford.
