The Ministry of Public Works is seeking permission to erect a pedestrian tunnel to protect railway trail users from an unstable cliff face.

According to a planning application received recently by the Department of Planning, the tunnel would be erected north of 19 and 21 Winton Hill Lane in Hamilton Parish, where a rock cut has been deemed a risk to those using the trail.

A section of the application reads: “The Ministry of Public Works has identified this area as having a dangerous rock cut in what is now a popular area of the Railway Trail. Remediation works must proceed as soon as possible.

“Temporary fencing has been erected to try to protect the public in the interim.

“The proposed development is to construct a pedestrian tunnel the length of the dangerous cliff area and back fill around the tunnel, thus stabilising this section of the trail.”

According to the application, both sides of the tunnel will include wing walls, while a series of four “sun tube daylights” will keep the tunnel well lit during the day.

The plans also show an engraved “2015” above the entrances to the tunnel, suggesting that the project is hoped to be completed this year.

The planning application is currently available to view at the Department of Planning headquarters in the Dame Lois Browne-Evans Building.