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My attempts learn about the Pleasurama project have lead me into a dialogue with Thanet District Council about their website and the way they pass on correspondence to councillors. Click on the links above to read the correspondence.

Engineers report on the condition of the cliff
I have just received 14.5.2007 a copy of the engineers report on the condition of the cliff

Back in 2005 Thanet District Council commissioned a report on the condition of the cliff. In April 2005 Jacobs Baptie who are very highly regarded engineers surveyed the cliff and produced a detailed report on its condition, the conclusions of the report were that the cliff was in poor condition and that it needed repairing urgently before any construction work was carried out, that even after the repairs were carried out it would be inadvisable to pile drive in front of the cliff and that the nearest a crane could be safely erected to the edge of the cliff was 22 meters.

So our council commissioned this highly expensive survey and then decided to do the opposite of what it recommended I have published the most important pages at  http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/tdc/report.htm  

This is a quote from an email I received from them this month.

“The only remaining obstacle to commencement of works is the signing of Highways agreements, which are complete from a Council perspective. Works to alter car parking arrangements near the site will be undertaken and then construction will commence.”

I can only describe their attitude as gross negligence that will probably result in manslaughter. Click here to see what happened when a cave much smaller than the one in front of Wellington crescent collapsed at west cliff Ramsgate in 1947

To have sat on this report for two years whilst answering my questions about the safety of building on the site with a series of lies is not a situation that I am happy about.

I haven't had any responses from the councillors and council officers yet so I have put a comment on Cllr Dr Simon Moors blog where you can reply to me anonymously should you prefer click here to go there  





I sent this email off to those concerned today and will publish any replies here.

With reference to the Pleasurama development behind Ramsgate main sands, I have just received 14.5.2007 a copy of the engineers report on the condition of the cliff.

Back in 2005 Thanet District Council commissioned a report on the condition of the cliff. In April 2005 Jacobs Baptie who are very highly regarded engineers surveyed the cliff and produced a detailed report on its condition, the conclusions of the report were that the cliff was in poor condition and that it needed repairing urgently before any construction work was carried out, that even after the repairs were carried out it would be inadvisable to pile drive in front of the cliff and that the nearest a crane could be safely erected to the edge of the cliff was 22 meters.

So our council commissioned this highly expensive survey and then decided to do the opposite of what it recommended I have published the most important pages at  http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/tdc/report.htm  

This is a quote from an email I received from TDC this month.

“The only remaining obstacle to commencement of works is the signing of Highways agreements, which are complete from a Council perspective. Works to alter car parking arrangements near the site will be undertaken and then construction will commence.”

I can only describe their attitude as gross negligence that will probably result in manslaughter, here is another quote from the same email from TDC.

“An assessment has been made, and the cliff structure will be stabilised after piling driving is complete, in accordance with needs established by the engineers report. A significant sum has already been set aside for these works.”

To have sat on this report for two years whilst answering my questions about the safety of building on the site with a series of lies is not a situation that I am happy about.

As the proposed building can only be constructed by pile driving it is self evident that no construction company will ever take on the job, the health and safety executive wouldn't let them so the building will never happen.

What should happen now is that work to repair the cliff and the railings should start immediately, an urgent assessment should be carried out on the condition of the cliff behind Kent Terrace, the site should covered with tarmac for parking and other tourist related activities before the summer season starts and the whole situation regarding the use of the site reviewed.

I am hoping that some of you will comment on this so that I can publish your comments at http://www.michaelsbookshop.com/tdc/report.htm the inference that neither the majority of councillors or council officers concerned are not sufficiently interested would not bode well for the future of Ramsgate.

Finally if any of you have an up to date list of councillors email addresses I would appreciate it so that I can make the new councillors aware of the situation.

Best regards Michael