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Improving safety from rock falls
FLS civil engineers complete challenging catch fence construction to reduce rock fall risk
Forestry and Land Scotland’s (FLS) engineers have completed the challenging job of constructing a rock fall barrier on the site of a landslide above the main Lochgoilhead timber haul road, and the B828 road near the A83 Rest and be Thankful.
Previous heavy rain and severe flooding caused significant damage across FLS managed land in the Cowal region of Argyll including a large landslide located in Gleann Mor near Lochgoilhead. The landslide exposed a large area of overhanging and fractured rock high on the hillside located above steeply sloping ground, which was assessed to be a potential rockfall risk to the lower timber haul road and B828 road.
The work provided resilience to one of the main FLS access roads in the area, while improving safety of FLS staff and contractors, and members of the public.
FLS Area Civil Engineer Jonathan Young said:
“FLS commissioned its geotechnical contractor to undertake a series of phased geotechnical works to reduce and mitigate the rock fall risk in Gleann Mor. This included an initial phase of breaking of large localised boulders on the upper hillside identified as being at high-risk of rock fall, using controlled blasting techniques.”
“Phase 2 of the works comprised the installation of a 40m long anchored rock fall catch fence located above the forest track. This challenging work located on difficult terrain has significantly reduced the rock fall risk to track and road users in this area.”
The work carried out by FLS civil engineers underpins the delivery of operational activities. Engineers work in a variety of roles including constructing and maintaining roads and bridges, quarrying, water management, and as highlighted in Gleann Mor, managing and mitigating rockfall and landslide risk.
FLS civil engineers also contribute to sustainable and efficient commercial timber harvesting, developing renewable energy schemes, creating and maintaining trails and visitor facilities and in the conservation of habitats, wildlife and archaeological treasures on FLS managed land.
