Big landslip threatens bridge, hotel

Hamilton Hotel Ibis Tainui

A large slip on the Hamilton river bank is threatening the Claudelands road and rail bridge and the Ibis Hotel, engineers say.

The slip on a steep part of the river bank by Bryce St forced closure the walkway in July last year and engineers Tonkin & Taylor yesterday warned it could affect nearby structures.

The consultant company said the area was "oversteep and marginally stable".

A contingency plan to close the Claudelands Rd bridge at short notice is being drafted, but the council's city infrastructure general manager, Chris Allen, said there was no immediate.

Landowners including Waikato-Tainui, Vector and KiwiRail had been advised of the possibility of further slips which could threaten the stability of the structures.

Councillors were told in a late report yesterday that the remedial work could blow the $630,000 budget.

Early estimates costed the work at between $630,000 and $1.55 million.

Further investigation is being carried out at a cost of $40,000 to get a better idea of the soil quality and to improve storm water control.

A large tree at the northwest end of Claudelands Rd will have to be removed.

The cycleway and walkway between London and Alma Sts will remain closed until the problem is resolved.

The practicality of having walkways along the riverbank is also being investigated.