Background

GeoAccess was urgently requested by Construction Marine Limited (CML) to respond to a reported landslide at Scunthorpe Church Lane Cutting. The failure caused a train to become stuck in section, requiring immediate assessment and reporting to support remedial decision-making.

The incident location was identified on the Down line at 22 miles 00 chains. With potential impacts on both railway operations and adjacent properties, a fast and technically robust inspection was critical to determining next steps.

Method

GeoAccess deployed an examiner to provide an urgent inspection report, covering:

• Precise location details of the failure
• Site geology and examination history for the relevant 5-chain segment
• Observations on failure type and triggers
• Short-term and long-term remediation recommendations

The investigation included a photographic survey from crest and toe, supplemented with aerial drone imagery for enhanced visual assessment.

Initial findings identified a translational soil failure, triggered by saturated ground from recent rainfall. The failure geometry suggested that further downslope movement was likely if material was removed incorrectly.

Innovations & Solutions

• 24-hour site presence ensured continuous monitoring and client support during the incident.
• Drone deployment enabled aerial photography in daylight, aiding both the final report and examiner briefings.
• Proactive reporting provided CML with rapid situational awareness, supporting safe decision-making during a high-risk landslide response.

Results & Conclusion

Over a 72-hour period, GeoAccess provided:

• On-site technical support for CML
• Urgent inspection reporting with detailed geological and photographic evidence
• Short- and long-term recommendations for remediation planning
• Rapid mobilisation of resources, minimising risks to both railway operations and nearby residential properties

By combining rope access expertise, drone technology, and geotechnical assessment, GeoAccess delivered a safe, responsive, and cost-efficient solution to a sudden landslide event, ensuring Network Rail and CML could act decisively.