Work has finally begun to stabilise the cliff face above Folkestone’s Road of Remembrance, more than two years after a major landslip buried the historic route under soil and trees. Kent County Council started the £5 million safety project on Monday 18 May, with specialist contractors now on site to secure the steep slope and protect road users and pedestrians below.
Engineers have already started clearing hedgerows and the root balls of collapsed trees, and will soon drill over a thousand holes into the cliff for 974 soil nails. The complex job also includes installing erosion control matting, mesh facing, improved drainage and shotcrete reinforcement at the crest to safeguard homes above. “This is a very historically important road that was used in World War One. Our troops marched down and went to war from here so it must be rebuilt properly,” said Peter Osborne, KCC’s cabinet member for highways and transport, during a site visit.
The road has been closed since 27 January 2024, when unstable geology triggered the collapse. Since then, Kent County Council has carried out extensive surveys and design work, contending with further landslips, protected wildlife and historic wartime infrastructure within the cliff. The scheme is expected to take around 44 weeks, meaning the Road of Remembrance is likely to remain shut until early next year.
Signed diversion routes are in place for motorists, and pedestrians are being advised to use the High Street while works continue. The council has acknowledged the closure has been a huge inconvenience to residents and businesses, but insists public safety remains the absolute priority. Anyone with concerns about property or business impacts has been urged to contact their insurer.
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