Blackpool Site Investigation

Project

During July 2004 Lankelma performed a large part of the site investigation for a proposed redesign of Blackpool�s sea wall. During bad weather the dated, existing sea wall is often breached causing severe flooding. Not only is the repair and clean up costly but also the booming tourist trade is affected. Blackpool County Council have taken on the job of redesigning the present sea wall.

Due to the majority of Blackpool beach becoming submerged at high tide, testing could only be undertaken between periods of maximum tide. In order to gain maximum working time the operators worked long and unsociable hours, one week beginning testing at 4am just as the tide receded!

As UK2, Lankelma�s 21.5 Tonne crawler unit was used to perform the cone penetration tests, there was no real fear of getting stuck if the tide came in quicker than estimated, however at one point the ability to track through deep water was tested!

Mind That Child

The biggest difficulty that confronted the operators was moving from location to location avoiding the tourists. At low tide there was lots of space and tracking between tests with banks men ahead and behind warning the general public, was relatively easy. During testing the rig was cordoned off with hazard warning bunting in order to prevent access to the working area by the public.