Project Overview
Our works involved the civil and structural design and build of all of the foundations for this 7.5MW gas peaking plant, including fencing, ducting (on site and off site), drainage and footpaths.
Overcoming Difficult Ground
The site presented several significant challenges, including contaminated ground, poor ground quality, overhead wires, a neighbouring mainline railway and underground services from a large sewage works next door.
We devised a safe system of work to deal with the risks from these constraints, including:
- An asbestos management plan for the contaminated material
- A piled foundation solution designed around the live overhead wires during piling
- Ground penetrating radar surveys to prove the location of existing services
Soft clay to 10 metres, buried obstructions from previous site uses, asbestos, overhead wires, sewer easements and a railway line — a genuinely demanding site to design and deliver.
Delivering Through Constraints
The project was carried out within the yard of a very busy MOT garage, and careful planning was needed to ensure there were no issues with deliveries or space on site.
The works were completed safely and without incident despite the logistical challenges of the site and the initial effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, which was taking hold as the works progressed.
Key Achievements
- Piled foundation solution overcoming soft clay to 10 metres
- Safe delivery alongside a live mainline railway and overhead power lines
- Full asbestos and contaminated-ground management
- Completed without incident through the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic
