To aid understanding of the work involved to repair the failed embankment at Gotherington, the area of embankment in question has been divided into a seven sections for ease of reference.  Read these descriptions in conjunction with the following diagrams.

Soil nailing This cross section of the embankment shows one of the sections that will be stabilised using soil nails.  The red diagonal lines show the nails penetrating through the embankment and into the ground beneath (plan provided by David Symonds Associates)
Reconstruction The worst-affected part of the embankment requires almost total replacement (plan provided by David Symonds Associates)
Work areas A plan of the Gotherington embankment, showing the seven specific work areas for which contracts are now being let (plan provided by David Symonds Associates)

All the areas show live movement (in other words, movement that is still taking place) even if in one or two of the sections minor rectification work is required to ensure long term stability.  The areas are defined as follows.  Definitions are given working from south to north.  The following text and the drawings have been provided by the railway's consulting engineers, David Symonds Associates and with thanks to properties director, Darren Fairley.

Area 1

This runs from section line 6 on the plan up as far as the overhead electricity cables.  A length of approximately 60m.

In area 1, the movement being detected is much smaller than area 2 but is live.  At this stage the solution envisaged is to soil nail the embankment to provide enhanced stability. 

Area 2

This section runs from the overhead electricity cables up to the location of borehole ref: CP11.  This is the main area of slip and is approximately 85m in length.

This is the area of the main slip where complete failure of the embankment has occurred.  At the present time design solutions are likely to involve at least partial excavation of the failed material and replacement with a compacted granular material.  It is possible, given the movement being detected within the area of the main running line, that full excavation and replacement will be required.  Options for utilisation of some of the surplus material as toe weighting will be investigated.

Area 3

This runs from borehole ref: CP11 to approximately 5m past section line 2 on the plan.  An approximate length of 30m.

Minor movement is currently recorded to this area and the design solution is as for Area 1, to utilise soil nailing.

Area 4

This section runs from 5m past section line 2 to a point approximately 5m north of borehole ref: CP10.  An approximate length of 15m.

There is localised movement to the face of the embankment in this area but it is not believed that this has affected the core of the embankment at this stage.  The solution here is a combination of local excavation and reinstatement, followed by soil nailing of the slope.

Area 5

This section runs from 5m north of borehole ref: CP10 to a point 10m south of section line 1.  An approximate length of 25m.

Movement detected, though minor.  At the present time the design solution envisaged is soil nailing as for Area 1.

Area 6

This runs from approximately 10m south of section line 1 to a point approximately 10m north of section line 1.  An approximate length of 20m.

There is more significant deep seated movement recorded to this area and the design solution envisaged is excavation and reinstatement along the lines proposed for area 2.

Area 7

This runs from a point approximately 10m north of section line 1 up to the stream.  A length of approximately 15m.

Movement has been detected, though currently minor.  At the present time the design solution envisaged is soil nailing, along the lines recommended for Areas 1, 3 and 5.