Scottish Water

St Andrews Landslip Remediation (2025)

Rock face reinstatement project

By: Galliford Try Asset Creation - Scotland

Published: March 28, 2025

Airlifting boulders and crushed rock - Courtesy of Whitehouse Studios

In February 2021, a burst wastewater pipe near St Andrews Wastewater Treatment Works caused a landslip on the rock face close to Billinge Nook on the Fife Coastal Path in St Andrews, adjacent to the Castle Course golf course. Urgent action was required to mitigate safety risks and environmental impact. Before any reinstatement work could be undertaken, the initial focus for the contractor, Morrison Construction, was to address the burst pipe and clean up the golf course. Excavation work to reach the pipe required care due to the pipe’s depth and location.

Landslip reinstatement

In February 2022, the project shifted focus to the reinstatement of the steep rock face. Close collaboration with key stakeholders was required including Castle Course golf course, Fife Council, and the Fife Coast & Countryside Trust.

A number of challenges had to be considered and overcome including:

Quality: It was necessary to provide a long term, low impact solution which considered whole life cycle costs, the environment and carbon footprint.
Environment: This was a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) with a popular public footpath which had to remain open to the public during construction.
Cost: There were budget constraints due to the unplanned nature of the incident.
H&S: The location of the landslip was hazardous; located 30m down a vertical rock face.
Weather: Winter weather provided potential issues for aerial logistical support; resulting in programme risk.
Programme: The golf season was starting in March resulting in a key completion date which added time pressure.

(left) View prior to the reinstatement work, (middle) one of 60 airlifts of boulders and crushed rock, and (right) rope specialist contractors Geo-Rope – Courtesy of Whitehouse Studios

Project team

Principal designer & contractor: Morrison Construction
Designer: Allen Gordon LLP
Specialist rope access subcontractor: Geo-Rope
Logistical aerial support: PDG Aviation Services

The solution

An Innovative environmentally conscious solution, which carefully addressed the unique challenges posed by the location was selected. The approach prioritised sustainability, ensuring minimal impact on the delicate ecosystem, mitigating a larger scale civil engineering earthworks project and thereby reducing the carbon footprint of the project.

By utilising a specialist rope access contractor and aerial logistical support, 20 pre-fabricated rock armour boulders and 40 ton bags of crushed rock used were air-lifted into place by 60 short helicopter tactical air lifts.

The boulders were embedded into the rock face at the lower part of the landslip, and were supported by stainless steel wires connected to rock anchors drilled into the rock face and backfilled with the crushed rock.

Time-lapse video of the reinstatement works – Courtesy of Galliford Try

Outcome

The successful reinstatement of the rock face demonstrated Morrison Construction’s commitment to safety, the environment, social value and effective project management. By engaging specialists and maintaining open consistent communication with stakeholders, Morrison Construction achieved a positive outcome for the client, the environment and the wider community as a whole.

The project safeguarded the future of this cherished section of Fife Coastal Path, ensuring it remains natural and accessible. Locals and tourists alike can now revel in its beauty and delight in its scenic panoramas for years to come.

Recognition

Morrison Construction’s remediation project at St Andrews has been recognised as Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Scotland’s Best Project Under £1m at this year’s Scottish Civil Engineering Awards, in conjunction with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

Paul Ingham, Managing Director for Morrison Construction’s Environment business, said:

“Congratulations to Alasdair Morrison, our Senior Project Manager on this project and his team on this outstanding achievement. The focus the team at Morrison Construction has on doing the right things quickly and effectively for local customers and community is superb and aligned with all of our aspirations for delivering for customers.”