Old Roar Gill landslide report

Council officers have been working with affected residents since the landslide at Old Roar Gill in February, and we continue to work with them to find a resolution. In June, Cabinet agreed funding for a land stability team and for a quote for another study into the land in the area owned by the council based on recommendations from the council's insurers. This quote will help inform how the council proceeds. The immediately affected residents have been asked to contact their own insurers.

The land stability team is currently being set up, made up of officers from other authorities including those who have similar situations. This team will be looking at land stability across the borough as well as the Old Roar Gill area.

This report was produced on behalf of the council's insurance company. It is a technical document and Hastings Borough Council is not able to offer advice to anyone about the contents of the report. If you have concerns you should seek professional advice.

Note to paragraphs 1.53 and 1.5: We have been advised that the drainage pipe (referred to) was installed over the Easter weekend by contractors engaged by the insurers of 24 Foxcote.

You can download the report.

Please see below for some frequently asked questions about the report.

Q1. What has been done with these recommendations?
A1. We are working with a contractor to provide quotes for the works recommended for the council to carry out. We are expecting these to be provided by the middle of August. Other recommendations are for the residents to undertake.

Q2. Who is carrying out any further work?
A2. We cannot do any further works on this until we have the results of the survey and monitoring works.

Q3. Will there be disruption to residents living in the area?
A3. We will contact any residents who may be impacted by any future studies to let them know about planned works and how they may impact on homes or with roadworks/areas of park or open space affected.

Q4. Has there been groundwater monitoring?
A4. Not at this stage we are obtaining further information on this aspect.

Q5. How is the continued wet weather affecting what happens moving forwards?
A5. A team have visited the site to quote for further surveys and reports. The new landslide team will be looking at all aspects of the work completed so far, including the quotes for work when they are received.

Q6. Is one side of the Gill more susceptible to landslide than the other?
A6. No, there is evidence of landslides in other areas of the Gill.

Q7. What is a fault line, and do you have an idea of where these occur?
A7. As part of our wider landslide project, we are working with partners to develop a more accurate mapping of existing fault lines, or areas of land instability. However,  care should be taken in all potential slope or cliff areas, please refer to the landslide toolkit for advice on how to manage your own home and property.

Q8. If I live on a fault line does this mean my home is at risk of landslides?
A8. The landslide toolkit gives some advice on how to manage your own home and property. If you have concerns you should take professional advice.

Q9. I live on the route of the gill down to Buckshole Reservoir, is my property more at risk of landslide?
A9. At this time, we have no evidence that there is a likelihood of further landslides in the gill. The landslide toolkit gives some advice on how to manage your own home and property. If you have concerns you should take professional advice.

Q10. There is mention of a drainage pipe that is leaking, has this been fixed?
A10. This has now been rectified and redirected. Please be aware of any pipework on your own land and make time to regularly inspect for leaks or drainage issues. There is more information on the OFWAT website about responsibility for pipes.

Q11. The report identifies possible reasons of the failure of the land, what are the responsibilities for Hastings Borough Council?
A11. At the advice of our insurers, we are commissioning specialist consultants to undertake further investigations in the area as the report recommends. They are working on quotes for this work. Once we have the quotes we will work with the insurance companies and homeowners to decide next steps.  In the meantime, we have created the landslide toolkit to provide advice for residents in affected areas.

Q12. Have the slope stabilisation measures referred to been taken to prevent potential further movement?
A12. We are waiting for our consultants to come back with a quote for further work and this will determine our next steps.