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FOREWORD
The landslide events of August 2004 had a substantial
impact on Scotland's road network. Although the effects
were principally experienced by local and commercial road
users, the tourist industry, which reaches its peak in the
summer months, was also significantly disrupted.
The Scottish Executive, together with other governments,
is committed to protecting the environment, aiming to
tackle global warming. However, climate change is already
happening. In response to the events last summer two
studies were instigated. One concerns the effects of
climate change on Scotland's road network, which is being
published separately. This study though focuses on how we
develop our procedures for assessing, ranking and managing
the hazards associated with landslides. This report
presents the results of the first stage of the landslides
study. It highlights debris flows, a particular type of
landslide, as representing a hazard to the road network and
its users. The report details means by which areas
susceptible to such hazards may be identified and the
methods by which we might deal with them.
I am pleased that we have been able to facilitate
contributions to this report from a wide range of experts,
who have worked together in such a collaborative fashion.
The report that has emerged from their efforts is a
forward-looking document that sets out the future for
landslide management in Scotland. The work will now
continue into the second stage of the study with the
development of a standardised system for assessing hazards
and managing the consequences. These efforts will make
Scotland's roads safer and help to maintain Scotland's
reputation as both an area of vibrant economic growth and a
premier tourist destination.
I am pleased to offer my support to the work presented
in this report and to the continued progress towards
assessing and managing the hazards which landslides
present.
Nicol Stephen
MSP
Minister for Transport
WORKING GROUP MEMBERS AND REPORT
CONTRIBUTORSThis Summary Report is based upon a more detailed
Technical Report prepared in response to the instruction of
the Minister for Transport following the landslide events
of August 2004.
The Technical Report (also available from the Scottish
Executive) is intended to assist the professionals charged
with taking forward the study work on landslides to
implementation and also for the wider professional
community. This Summary Report is intended to inform a
wider audience of the Scottish Executive's actions both
since the events of August 2004 and planned for the
future.
The study commenced with a Project Workshop, held in
September 2004. Acknowledged experts were invited to give
presentations in order to capture the wide knowledge vested
with individuals. The presentations were followed by
focussed discussion sessions designed to open out the
knowledge base and determine the way forward with the
project.
Following the Project Workshop the Technical Report
Editors, who are also the authors of this Summary Report,
assigned tasks to individuals (including themselves) in
terms of the preparation of the full Technical Report. The
speakers at the Project Workshop, most of whom were
assigned tasks in terms of preparing the Technical Report,
and their colleagues who assisted them, are listed in
alphabetical order, as follows:
Dr David Brown, W A Fairhurst & Partners/Amey.
Alan Forster, British Geological Survey.
Andrew Heald, Jacobs Babtie/
BEAR.
Dr Steve Hencher, Halcrow.
Forbes Macgregor, Scottish Executive.
Stewart Martin, Halcrow.
Paul McMillan, W A Fairhurst & Partners/Amey.
Dr Roger Moore, Halcrow.
Ian Nettleton,
EDGE Consultants.
Julie Parsons, Jacobs Babtie/
BEAR.
Lawrence Shackman, Scottish Executive.
Andy Sloan, Donaldson Associates.
Matt Willis, Arup.
Dr Mike Winter,
TRL Limited.
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