2018
Gwynedd, Wales
Morfa Nefyn Golf Club
Colin Jones Rock Engineering Ltd
Maccaferri Ltd
Rockfall Protection at Morfa Nefyn Golf Course, North Wales
DT rockfall netting secured around a crest rope anchored to the cliff slope.
DT Rockfall netting being secured to the cliff slope.
Installation of anchors and crest rope secure the DT netting.
The DT netting is wrapped back over the crest rope & secured.
Polimac DT rockfall netting successfully installed
Challenge
Morfa Nefyn Golf Course, located on the LlÅ·n Peninsula in Gwynedd, North Wales, is a prominent coastal destination surrounded by the Irish Sea. At the base of a steep vegetated cliff along Traeth Porthdinllaen beach sits the iconic Ty Coch Inn, alongside several residential and commercial properties that attract large numbers of visitors each year. However, the cliff face above these structures was prone to rockfall, with loose debris periodically detaching and falling onto the properties below.
This ongoing instability posed a significant safety risk to tourists and residents, as well as a threat to buildings and infrastructure. Due to the exposed coastal environment and the potential for further erosion, a robust rockfall protection solution was required to stabilise the slope and prevent falling debris from reaching the beach-level properties.
Solution
Maccaferri was engaged by specialist contractor Colin Jones Rock Engineering Ltd to design and supply a high-performance rockfall mitigation system capable of delivering a 120-year design life in a highly aggressive coastal environment. Given the exposure to salt spray, moisture, and harsh weather conditions, durability and corrosion resistance were critical factors.
Maccaferri proposed the installation of a rockfall drapery system using PoliMac® coated double twist rockfall netting. This BBA-certified solution is specifically engineered for long-term performance in extreme environments, making it ideal for coastal cliff stabilisation projects.
The rockfall netting system was installed across the full height of the cliff face, secured at the crest with a continuous steel rope and reinforced with strategically placed rock anchors to ensure close contact with the slope. This configuration allows loose material to be contained and safely channelled down the face of the cliff, preventing debris from impacting the properties below.
A key component of the solution is the innovative PoliMac® polymer coating, developed by Maccaferri to significantly enhance the performance of steel wire mesh. Compared to traditional PVC coatings, PoliMac® offers up to ten times greater resistance to abrasion, UV exposure, chemical attack, and temperature fluctuations. In addition to its superior durability, PoliMac® is environmentally friendly, as it is inert, free from harmful chemicals, and does not emit chlorine gas during manufacturing.
This advanced rockfall protection system provides long-term slope stabilisation, improves public safety, and ensures the protection of key coastal assets at Morfa Nefyn, making it a reliable and sustainable solution for challenging marine environments.
Used Products
