Plan for emergency embankment stabilisation works

Plans have been submitted to try and prevent a crumbling embankment from giving way beneath a road.

Mulgrave Estate has applied to carry out emergency stabilisation works along a 130ft (40m) stretch of The Valley, in Sandsend, near Whitby.

According to plans, the works are needed because of "ongoing and progressive failure" of the roadside embankment, which is said to pose a risk to the road, pedestrians, and neighbouring land.

The proposed retaining structure would be constructed using wire cages filled with natural stone, known as gabion baskets, reaching up to 9ft (3m) high.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mulgrave Estate said the design has been chosen to blend in with existing stone structures in the valley and avoid the visual impact of a large concrete wall.

"Gabions are a well-established rural engineering solution and allow for a more informal and textured appearance compared with solid concrete structures," plans state.

Planning documents state pedestrian access would be maintained throughout the project and emergency vehicle access would remain available at all times.

North Yorkshire Council has not set a date for deciding on the plans which are open to representations from members of the public.

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