Investigations have begun into possible land stabilisation measures that may be needed following recent rock falls at the foot of the cutting above the station car park in St Ives.

CORMAC’s Engineering Services Laboratory has conducted an initial assessment of the stability of the rock slope. Further work will take place to determine the risk of additional instability higher up the slope on a stretch of the cutting directly behind St Ives Travel and above a row of adjacent car parking spaces.

A more in-depth assessment is needed in order to understand the full extent of the risk and to identify and implement any land stabilisation measures that may be required. To undertake this in-depth assessment a significant amount of vegetation clearance is needed on the embankment and vegetation removal works are currently ongoing. These works require occupation of part of The Terrace and traffic light operation at that location.

As a consequence of identifying this potential risk, St Ives Travel has been asked to vacate its premises in the car park temporarily. Cornwall Council officers have worked with the business owner to provide space for a porta cabin in the car park from which the business can continue to provide travel agency and rail ticket services.

Throughout the works rail services will be unaffected and the majority of the car park will remain open for public use.

Richard Hocking, CORMAC soils and materials engineer, said: “The preliminary investigation and assessment of the cut slope has identified potential instability within the rock mass which requires further intrusive investigation. Until the situation can be fully assessed, occupiers of the travel agency have been advised to vacate the property and a limited number of parking spaces fenced off as a precautionary measure, should further failures occur during the vegetation clearance and next phase of the assessment.”

Tim Andrewes, Cornwall Councillor for St Ives East, said: “Any inconvenience and disruption arising from this situation is regrettable. But we hope local residents and businesses will understand the need for Cornwall Council to take all measures necessary to ensure the public’s safety.”