Boulders block leaky landfill at South Shields

Nov 27 2008 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

WORK has been completed on a solution to a four-year leaking landfill saga. Trow Quarry is a former magnesian limestone quarry on coastal land behind Graham Sands and Southern Bay on The Leas at South Shields.

The site was partially filled with domestic and industrial waste from the 1960s until the mid 1980s and investigations showed that some of the fill material contains pollutants.

Because of coastal erosion, material was being washed out along beaches in an area owned by the National Trust.

Now 10,000 tonnes of Norwegian granite boulders have been installed in a protective shoreline barrier along Graham Sands and Southern Bay.

Erosion will be countered by the £1.8m rock barrier absorbing the energy from incoming waves, and the regrading of the near-vertical cliff coastline to a more gentle slope.

The rocks were ferried to the site by barge and heaved into position by excavators.

Up to 500,000 people a year visit the National Trust’s Leas area.

The rock barrier will be planted with marine species to create a more natural effect.

The National Trust worked with South Tyneside Council, the Environment Agency and Natural England on ways to solve the erosion problem.

Trust property manager Nick Dolan praised the scheme.

He said: “The barrier will prevent the wash-out of landfill content. This was the best, most cost-effective, sympathetic and flexible solution.

The project also forms part of plans for the ongoing management of the coast in South Tyneside, which aims to meet the challenges of climate change. Mr Dolan said the coastline would benefit as a result of the new barrier.

He said: “It has been a lot of hard work, both in the planning and the site work, but proves the worth of partnership working to arrive at the best result, and the enhancement of this area of coast.” A section of the coastal footpath which has been closed for the duration of the works will reopen tomorrow.