Seawalls and Shoreline Structures
DOWNDERRY - CORNWALL - United Kingdom
Caradon District Council
N/A
Maccaferri Construction
44 YEAR OLD GABION STRUCTURE
After construction in 1971
View of the sea defence wall as it now appears
Recent global view of the sea defence wall
Problem
Adjacent to the village of Downderry the beach was affected by erosion. Tidal action undermined the toe of the cliff and threatened to cause a major slip. Properties, including a Hotel, were endangered by possible subsidence.
Solution
As the cliff was above the normal high tide level, it was considered sufficient to construct a stepped retaining wall from mass gravity gabions. The work was completed in 1971, and the threat of erosion was removed. The properties on the cliff were also stabilized and no longer in danger of possible subsidence. After 44 years, the gabion coating and structure seems to show no sign of any significant damage and the gabion structure is perfectly integrated with the coastal environment.