CampbellReith was appointed by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council to a framework to provide geotechnical consultancy services in relation to the management of 5.3km of its soft cliff frontage. These cliffs are of varying height and steepness, and are used primarily as public open space for leisure purposes.

Following the initial visual inspection of the cliffs it was apparent that the ongoing inspection and assessment of the slopes would need to be carried out in a holistic manner to ensure evidence of ground movement was accurately recorded and could be monitored over a long period of time. The accurate recording of the condition of the slopes was imperative to ensure the risk to the public could be swiftly identified and protection measures put in place.

CampbellReith developed a bespoke risk categorisation system in which areas of the slopes were designated Category A, B or C depending on the degree and nature of the visual evidence of ground movement observed. A programme of ongoing visual inspections was then devised based on the risk category assigned to various areas of the cliffs. This ensured that resources were allocated in a more appropriate manner; higher risk areas were inspected more frequently, low risk areas were inspected less frequently and risk category areas could be easily elevated to a higher risk category, expanded in size or de-risked as inspections, repairs and remediation progressed over time.