‘Still no answer’ to questions of safety
QUESTIONS surrounding the safety of the Next Wave project have not yet been answered according to retired engineer Roy Watts.
He highlighted problems of subsidence in the grassed area and paths in front of the De La Warr Pavilion and suggested these might be to do with drainage.
Roy claimed Rother District Council should have barriered off these holes and depressions more vigorously to protect members of the public and said his fears were realised when a female visitor fell on one of them.
He had hoped the subject would be examined during Monday night’s meeting of RDC’s scrutiny committee when councillors were able to ask questions as the Next Wave project reaches its conclusion.
As it was a request was made for a separate meeting so that members of the public could also voice their views and Roy hopes to discuss the issue then.
Roy, who lives in South Cliff, has noted that the subsidence has been described as “easily cured” and “minor” but says while the contractor has excavated pipes under the ground and examined the fountain, the problem remains.
Six excavations have been made in total, one of them approximately 15ft deep and 15ft long.
He told the Observer: “I am still concerned that work is being done to rectify the situation - but what is the cause?
“There are still areas which should be barriered off. There is still evidence of subsidence and movement. Some of it is minor and can be rectified easily but when you walk up there and see what is happening you don’t need to be an engineer to see there are problems.”
He suggested that if some sections of pipe had been dug up and needed to be replaced or repaired then surely all of it needs looking at.
He added: “If raising safety concerns is looked upon as being negative, then so be it.
“My concern is purely on safety grounds.”
A council spokesperson said: “The contractors are undertaking necessary drainage works at the moment. The remedial works on the upper terrace to address the settlement, are underway and will be completed soon.
“Over the next few weeks, weather permitting, contractors will be addressing minor ‘snagging’ issues along the promenade. These works are not anticipated to affect the use of the promenade.”
PICTURED: Repair works on the seafront
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Weather for Bexhill-on-Sea
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South west
