Cornwall Council Building Control have met with Cormac, Cornwall Council Highways and the house owners’ structural engineer and contractor today to agree a way forward that mitigates the danger to the public and provides a safe solution to the issues as quickly and safely as possible.

Following more detailed assessments of the ground and geotechnical issues, the conclusion is now that the actual house is currently considered stable but that there is an ongoing concern that the undermined retaining wall in front of the house is still at risk of collapse into the narrow highway, meaning that the road must currently remain closed to vehicle traffic.

Therefore the road block will remain in place. However as the house itself is currently considered stable, then this has allowed the fencing to be adjusted today to enable pedestrian ‘bypass’ access and egress only for essential journeys. Cornwall Council Highways/Cormac will monitor this situation until the permanent solution can be carried out by the contractor. Please be aware, that given the continued poor weather, should the situation change for the worse then full closure to pedestrians may have to be re-instated.

The technical remedial works are being designed by the owner’s engineer over the weekend, and subject to technical review and approval, are hoped to commence on Tuesday (weather permitting).  We are hoping that the shoring works will be completed by the end of next week, again weather permitting. Please note that the above is subject to no further detrimental changes in the situation on site between now and Tuesday.

We (and also the owners of the property) would like to thank you for your continued patience and understanding and will provide an update once the works have commenced on the likely date for re-opening the road for vehicles.

Cornwall Council and Portreath Parish Council are supporting a group of residents after a small landslip at a private house on Sunday evening limited access to their properties on Battery Hill, Portreath.  No one was injured in the incident.

“Following inspection by the Council’s Building Control team, the road leading to the homes has been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure, whilst the owner of the house affected by the landslip arranges for professional safety assessments to be carried out. The Council’s Building Control team will then be working with the owner to agree any works necessary in order that the road can be safely re-opened as soon as possible.

“Residents who are affected by the road closure have been contacted and offered support from Cornwall Council and Portreath Parish Council.

“Residents are asked to contact Portreath Parish Council on 01209 842370 or Cornwall Council’s Community Link Officer on 07805 860511 or email charlotte.caldwell@cornwall.gov.uk if they have any concerns or require any support.”