Rope access workers are engaged in a hazardous operation in Anduze, systematically clearing loose stones from a 50-meter cliff to prevent rockfalls that pose risks to road safety. This €20,000 initiative follows a recent landslide on the RD129 route. Monitoring teams regularly patrol the area for potential hazards, and preventative measures like installing mesh or anchors are being considered. Rockfalls have become increasingly problematic across France, with various recent incidents affecting travel and safety.
Risky Operations: Clearing Rockfalls in Anduze
In a daring and risky operation, rope access workers are tackling a precarious cliff in Anduze, located in the Gard region, where they are systematically removing loose stones from a height of 50 meters. With each heavy boulder they dislodge, the potential danger of falling debris becomes more apparent. One worker warns his colleague below, “The rock is shifting increasingly; it’s bound to come down soon.” As they push massive stones, some weighing several tons, over the edge, they utilize specialized rods to assess cracks and unstable rocks that pose a threat, as explained by Rémy Chardenon in a recent report.
Behind them, sizable blocks of rock tumble down onto the road, prompting a reminder of the inherent risks involved. “These could have landed on cars or people,” Chardenon emphasizes during the interview, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Preventative Measures and Ongoing Monitoring
As a precaution, all unstable rocks that could jeopardize road safety are cleared away. The financial investment for this protective operation amounts to €20,000, responding to a recent landslide that occurred on the RD129 route connecting Anduze and Générargues. Local motorists, such as one who travels this road weekly, express their surprise and concern, stating, “This will always linger in my mind.” A nearby cyclist adds, “Considering the terrain and recent rainfall, these incidents are common in the Cévennes region; we’re accustomed to it.”
Romain Meddour, a geotechnician specializing in natural hazards, notes that during the clearing efforts, workers removed approximately three times the amount of debris that initially fell. In Gard, teams routinely patrol the area to identify potential landslide risks, with agents indicating that runoff on cliffs frequently causes stones to dislodge. Any rock discovered on the road is logged via an application, complete with photographs of the incident site.
After a report is filed, necessary interventions can be initiated. Meddour reassures residents, stating, “For now, we are safe. However, we must keep an eye on this cliff. We can implement various measures, such as installing mesh or rock anchors, to enhance safety.”
Rockfalls have been a growing concern across France, with recent incidents reported. One such occurrence took place on national road 90 in the Tarentaise valley, causing minor injuries to one individual and obstructing traffic towards popular ski resorts. Additional landslides impacted a departmental road in Ardèche and another route in Beuil (Alpes-Maritimes), disrupting travel during the night of January 23-24. Moreover, on January 21, a three-ton boulder fell onto a vehicle near Causse-de-la-Selle (Hérault), miraculously leaving the occupants unharmed.