Coverack Sea Defences
Update 5th July 2023

Hello everyone

Many of you will already have heard that the sea defence project at Coverack is experiencing some delays. Regrettably it is now likely that the works will continue through the summer, completing at the end of October. There are a number of reasons for this, and we would like to come and talk to you and any residents of Coverack who would like to come along. We have booked St Peter’s Hall at 2pm next Thursday 13th July and hope you’re able to join us. 

By way of a very brief summary, the temporary works that facilitate the remainder of the repairs have now been completed, but they have presented us with some challenges. As we progressed with excavation and groundworks, the conditions of the rock were not as initial investigations had shown. This demanded design adjustments, considerable additional works and careful monitoring, which added time to the programme. With such a restricted space, the options to speed things along are very limited, and protecting the cliff, the common land and properties naturally is the priority.

We do fully appreciate that this delay will not be welcomed by the community of Coverack. It is genuinely unforeseen and unavoidable. We are keen to have the project finished, and the highway safeguarded, and will do all we can to achieve that as soon as is possible.  In the meantime we also hope to be able to update you as to the Section 73 planning application which is due to be determined imminently. We’ll also be removing as many fence panels as possible from the highway, to open up space to visitors during the summer season – and we’ll be vacating the space we have in the carpark.

Please do come back to me if you have questions ahead of the meeting next week. Otherwise, we look forward to seeing you there.

Kind Regards.

Lindsay Opie | PR & Communications Manager

Cormac Solutions Ltd | Cormac Contracting

Coverack Sea Defence Work

Meeting – Update from Cormac in Coverack  Wednesday 15th February 2pm

Over twenty people attended the meeting at St Peter’s hall.

Four members of the Cormac team were present to provide information, and to answer questions: Lindsay Opie, Tom Jones, (Project Manager), Dave Shrimpton and Simon Foster.

There have been delays in the work, partly due to the confused ground conditions. Initial boreholes found bedrock, but later boreholes confirmed that bedrock is 1.5 metres deeper than first located. Long delays on getting the samples examined was also a problem. A new estimate for completion of the work is now July 2023, rather than April.

Towards the end of the project the work should be less obtrusive.

Councillor John Brocklebank stressed the importance of the summer months to local businesses.  It was confirmed that single file lane would remain in place, so that visitors and locals will be able to access the village.

The estimated life of the wall retaining the road is one hundred years, and the estimated life of the sea defences, formed by the rock armour, is fifty years.

In answer to a question by Gina, about a thick coating of dust sprayed onto cars near the drilling for the rock anchors, Tom Jones, (Project Manager), apologised and said that measures would be promptly made to reduce this problem.

Several members of the public confirmed that they are very pleased that the work is being done, to save the access to the village, and some dwellings.

It was agreed that another meeting with Cormac will take place in mid April for a further update on the progress of the work.

More Information About the Sea Wall at Coverack  - 15th February  Meeting
Lindsay Opie, PR & Communications Manager for Cormac, has informed us that there will be a public meeting on Wednesday 15th February at 2pm in St Peter's Hall, Coverack.  There will be an update on progress, and a chance to ask questions.

Update on the Sea Wall at Coverack - 1st December 2022

Lindsay Opie, PR & Communications Manager for Cormac, has been in touch with this latest information on the sea wall at Coverack.

"Following our meeting at the beginning of the month, I can now confirm that towards the end of this week, a report will be submitted to CC Planning. This report will provide:

Engineering explanation and justification for the reduction in length of the retaining wall

Confirmation that the rock armour will not be reduced in length

Confirmation that the Common Land will be returned to its original footprint and state

Confirmation that kerbs and gullies will be installed to divert surface water run-off away from the Common Land, and assist with drainage

It will be a public document, so available for all to view. 

What won’t be included in the report is mention of the steps, because they’re part of a separate project and funding stream. However, hopefully later this week repairs to the steps will commence. They’ll include reconstruction of the bottom steps, repairs to the wall, and replacement of the handrails."

Following a Freedom Of Information Request about the cost of the work, this reply has been received on 8th November 2022.
Request:

I would like to know the estimated total cost of the new sea defence work at Coverack, currently under construction.

 Response:

A £2.9 million scheme to protect the highway (B3294) and 3 residential properties leading into Coverack village. The majority of the funds are being contributed by Cornwall Council’s Highways Service and Defra’s Flood Defence Grant in Aid (FDGiA) scheme (circa £540K) has been secured as a match funding contribution.

A number of delays to the scheme have affected the delivery phase, including the required design changes within the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) designation area. Construction commenced in Autumn 2022, the estimated delivery is May 2023.

Coverack Sea Defences - Public Meeting

In St Peter’s Hall at 2pm on Thursday 3rd November 2022

(The meeting was held inside to avoid the showers.)

Lindsay Opie, PR & Communications Manager for Cormac, welcomed the members of the public and introduced some people who plan and execute the works.

The Principal Engineer from AECOM Clifford Phang BEng MSc

Simon Foster Principal Engineer with Cormac

Rob Caddy Coverack site manager for Cormac.

Dan Evans, Assistant Highways Asset Manager representing “The Client”, Cornwall Council.

There were about fifteen members of the public present.

The main points established as a result of questions were:

1. The length of the rock armour will not be reduced.

2. The green area in front of the bus shelter will be restored to its original fence line, on the seaward side, existing as a line of wooden posts before this work was begun.

3. The seaward edge of the green will be supported by rock armour to prevent its erosion and eventual collapse. The backfill used will be a granular aggregate.

4. There is a current planning application to reduce the length of the sea wall above the rock armour by nine metres, which has not yet been decided. (PA22/08929)

5. Clifford Phang explained that the rock armour is placed mainly to prevent erosion from the sea by dissipating wave energy. The L shaped sea wall is to deal with the traffic loading caused by vehicles using the road. The distance from the road to the cliff edge increases at the North end of the site, so there is less need to deal with traffic loading with a sea wall at the North end. The bedrock is lower at the North end, requiring a higher sea wall there.

6. The rock armour is designed to withstand a 1 in a 100 year storm wave event.

7. Possible climate change has been allowed for, up to 2058.

8. A kerb will be installed to divert water from the green area.

9. The green area will be returned to its original state as grass.

10.  The target for the completion of work is April 2023.

11.  Another meeting will be planned to consult villagers, probably in January 2023.
Report by Peter Wood  3rd November 2022