Work begins to replace fencing after rockfall

Work has started to install a new fence at a beauty spot popular with climbers, two years after a large rockfall damaged the old one beyond repair.

Forestry England (FE) believes around 20 tonnes of debris fell from Symonds Yat Rock in Gloucestershire on 8 August 2023.

"The new fence has been professionally designed, and it will protect the Royal Lodge Hotel, The Royal Cottage and the adjacent infrastructure at the base of the cliff," said Callum Irving, Principal Civil Engineer for FE.

The replacement work is expected to be complete by March 2026.

Following the fall in 2023, Forestry England said it had to close the public footpath below the cliff on safety grounds.

Sue Middleton, Project Manager for Forestry England said: "The original rock capture fence was in place for incidents like this, but the size of the fall was large enough to damage it beyond full repair.

"We immediately sought professional ground engineering and geotechnical advice from expert engineers and because of this advice, we asked all climbers to avoid using the rockface and put in place a temporary Countryside and Rights of Way dedicated land closure to prevent anyone accessing the area."

Other walking routes at Symonds Yat, which do not pass below the cliff, remain open.

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