With the government’s systematic easing of lockdown restrictions many people are visiting key tourist destinations within the UK. The Eden Project is an attraction in Cornwall, England, UK and has been on Dr Mothersille’s list of places to visit for many years. The project is located in a reclaimed china clay pit, located 5 km from the town of St Austell.
The complex is dominated by a series of huge enclosures consisting of adjoining domes, up to 55m high, that house thousands of plant species. The largest of the two domed structures simulates a rainforest environment (and is the largest indoor rainforest in the world) and the second, a Mediterranean environment. The attraction also has an outside botanical garden which is home to many plants and wildlife native to Cornwall and the UK in general.
The site required stabilization of the boundary quarry faces and tying down the foundation ring beam using double corrosion protected ground anchors. The stabilization of the quarry faces involved the installation of over 2,000 rock bolts and soil nails up to 11m long.
During a recent visit, Dr Mothersille spotted additional rock bolt installation works in the peripheral rock faces around the pit.
What started as a fascinating trip to photograph an extraordinary collection of plant life ended with an interesting view of active rock bolt installation works!
