Site Event/Activity record EEM14721 - 2018: CS - The Incline, West Somerset Mineral Railway

The site was visited in January 2018 in order to examine the overall condition of the massive masonry retaining wall supporting the incline roadway in the light of a crack monitoring programme based on a thorough survey undertaken in April 2010 by Integral Engineering Design. Inspection of the cracking across the parapet sand/cement half round capping shows there to be a scheme for monitoring some of the relatively fine cracks. A wider crack uphill of the those under review is unchecked and this would be useful to be included in the relevant and possibly annual review of the situation. Vegetation hindered inspection of some of the structure and was a cause for concern; however, it was thought that little if any masonry had become dislodged to the point of falling out from the face. It was also suggested that part of existing cracking of the wall may be the slight separation of the top section of embankment from the lower section. Water runoff was also noted as a cause for concern. There were no immediately obvious signs of major recent movements, loss of masonry, scour of fill, water issues or other indications that the structure had changed significantly since the major inspection and revue of 2010. It was suggested that the current monitoring regime be altered, perhaps to laser scanning, as a more comprehensive but financially cost effective method.