Work to get underway on Paraparaumu Escarpment

Kāpiti Coast District Council is starting work on the Paraparaumu Escarpment this week as part of the on-going management of the historically slip-prone slope.

The escarpment, which is east of the North Island Main Trunk rail corridor and south of Epiha St, has been affected by more than 30 landslips from serious weather events this year – including one where the train tracks were blocked.

Council’s Parks and Recreation Manager Alison Law says the first step in minimising the impact of future slips is earthworks at the escarpment, which is starting today [16 November].

“We’ve had a geotechnical assessment of the site and will be getting underway with remedial works to stabilise the slope. First we need to finish clearing debris from the slips in May and June, which is something that’s been hampered by winter weather,” she says.

“It’s great summer is setting in because this work will pick up pace and the estimated 1500m³ of debris that’s accumulated will be removed, stock piled at Otararua Park and used at a later date.”

The geotechnical assessment has shown evidence of historical slips along the length of the escarpment.

“The remedial work we’ll be doing will include the clearance work, surface levelling and installing debris fences. We’ll be planting more than 2,500 natives next yearand are considering other ways to improve the instability of the slope to minimise the number of slips we’re experiencing,” Ms Law says.

“We can’t stop slips from occurring. The escarpment is clearly an active area that we’re going to continue to carefully manage and our top priorities are protecting public safety and ensuring the availability of the rail corridor.”

Debris clearing will take place Mondays to Saturdays from 7am to 6pm and may take up to a month.

The Epiha and Riwai streets access tracks will be closed during the hours of work and opened outside those times. Access tracks leading to Panaroma Dr are closed at all times.

“We want people to be safe, so please take care on the roads, don’t use closed tracks, and keep clear of all work sites,” Ms Law says