Fears over repeat landslide on south Down road after year delay on road repair

The Shore Road between Killowen and Rostrevor with concrete blocks put in place by DfI following a landslip in November 2023. Credit: Cllr Michael Rice.The Shore Road between Killowen and Rostrevor with concrete blocks put in place by DfI following a landslip in November 2023. Credit: Cllr Michael Rice.
The Shore Road between Killowen and Rostrevor with concrete blocks put in place by DfI following a landslip in November 2023. Credit: Cllr Michael Rice.
Fears have been raised that there could be another landslide on a south Down road as a year has passed without any solution to making the road safe.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) has been told this week that a temporary solution is in place to bring back both lanes of the Shore Road at Killowen/ Rostrevor following a major weather event in 2023.

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However, the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has stated delays to its plans for a solution have been caused by an unknown time-frame for approval by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

Mournes Sinn Fein rep, Michael Rice said: “In relation to the Shore Road in Killowen/ Rostrevor as far as we are aware we have confirmation from the Infrastructure Minister (John O’Dowd- Sinn Fein), that a temporary solution is to be put in place as soon as possible. This will enable both lanes to be open to traffic.

Cllr Michael Rice (SF).Cllr Michael Rice (SF).
Cllr Michael Rice (SF).

“However, we understand that it is not just the responsibility of the Roads Service, but also DAERA (Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs) and Forestry Service due to the close proximity to Kilbroney wood.

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“Can officials clarify the position regarding the opening of the Shore Road and whether they are working with the Forestry and DAERA to put in place a temporary solution and if a time-frame can be provided for the reopening of the road, as you are aware it will be a year now since the road has been closed since the landslip.

“My fear is that as we approach the bad weather coming in this time of year, it is going to be more likely to fall again. ”

The embankment on the Shore Road collapsed following heavy rainfall through October 2023, which also witnessed major flooding in Newry and Downpatrick.

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Following a clean up of the site, concrete blocks were installed by DfI at the time with the road functioning as only one lane with a traffic light system since last November.

The impact on the flow of traffic has continued to cause local concerns for emergency services and school buses with matters raised by ambulance staff and students on DfI’s social media sites.

DfI southern division manager, Mark McPeak responded in chambers, saying: “The landslip that occurred in November last year, is approximately 30 metres long.

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“We got in very quickly with geotechnical engineers to assess the problem. “The slip itself covered both lanes.

“We were concerned about the stability of the embankment. An analysis concluded that we would need to continue to monitor the site over a period of time until we had the confidence that the landslip had stabilised itself.

“We further concluded that it was not a full landslip, but a top surface that slipped, even though it was quite a significant slip.”

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He added: “The embankment itself is 600 metres long. We have now engaged with DAERA and NIEA about the next step from a temporary to a permanent solution.

“What we have done now is to design a temporary solution that will stabilise the landslip and catch any further material that might fall down. We are pretty confident that it is safe.

“We have to seek environmental approval to excavate the bottom of the slope, which we are still awaiting from NIEA.

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“The design is ready and the contractor is ready. We are hoping for that approval soon, but there are no time-scales. We will approach NIEA for that. “And that will allow for the two lanes to open. We will then coordinate further to put in place a permanent solution.”

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