Landslide Expert Witness, Cyfyng Road, Pantteg

Details:

Landslides occurred to the rear of Cyfyng Road, Pantteg in early 2017. Following appeal against a series of Emergency Prohibition Orders served on a number of Cyfyng Road properties, a series of ground investigations and notes were produced by ESP as part of a landslide expert witness commission representing NPTCBC at the Residential Property Tribunal (Wales) in late 2017 and early 2018. Our Matthew Eynon represented the Local Authority on landslide and engineering geology matters throughout the process; this included examination and cross examination by counsel.

In summary, the Residential Property Tribunal accepted the evidence and conclusions that the slopes to the rear of Cyfyng Road were/are unstable. It was noted by the tribunal chairman that the written submissions and oral evidence presented by Matthew Eynon was compelling.

The NPTCBC counsel was Mr Stephen Cottle. The complete findings and comments of the tribunal can be found here:

• 84 Cyfyng Road, RPT/0012/10/17
• 86 Cyfyng Road, RPT/003/04/17
• 90-92 Cyfyng Road, RPT/003/10/17

Matthew Eynon is a UK Registered Ground Engineering Specialist and Chartered Engineering & Environmental Geologist with significant experience of Site Hazard Assessment, Remediation, Design and Implementation across the Geoenvironmental and Geotechnical sectors in the UK and abroad.

His specialties include:

• Contaminated Land and Brownfield Assessment
• Engineering Geology and Geotechnics
• Site Evaluation and Stabilisation: Landfills, Mines and Karst
• Coal Mining Risk Assessment and Stabilisation
• Slope Stability and Landslide Assessment
• Hydrogeological Characterisation and Risk Assessment

Matt has over fifteen years in the field and often works in multi-disciplinary teams advising other engineering and design professionals on the implications of ground hazards;  this involves undertaking design, planning, management and reporting of ground investigations, including investigations for new developments, and many bespoke studies including the assessment of hydrogeological settings, materials for earthworks, the impact of abandoned mine workings, remediation and stability assessment of soil and rock slopes/landslides.

 

 

Testimonial from the Head of Engineering & Transport (NPTCBC)

“The Earth Science Partnership have provided professional and technical advice for Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council on a number of projects of different sizes and complexity since early 2015. Whilst working for the Council, they have provided a number of different ground investigation solutions and advice.” 

They have also been appointed to advise on the high profile Pantteg and Godre’r Graig Landslide since 2015 and have provided a number of factual reports that are helping Neath Port Talbot to formulate a Management Strategy for the area.

Part of ESP’s work involved the production of a Ground Instability Risk Map of Pantteg and then a Residential Property Risk Map.  They have also attended televised public meetings to discuss their findings following the publication of the work and have given Expert Witness evidence on behalf of Neath Port Talbot at Residential Property Tribunals.

As part of their works they have employed a number of techniques some of which are listed below:-

• Boreholes and log to a depth of 40m using traditional, tracked and slope climbing drilling rigs.
• Installation of piezometers and inclinometers.
• LiDAR surveys to establish and monitor land movements.
• Geophysical surveys to obtain Seismic Resonance Images of the sub stratas.
• Rain Gauges.

In closing, I can advise that we have had a positive experience in working with ESP and their employees who have always acted professionally and supplied information and reports within agreed timescales.”