CLIENT
Your Lifespace Ltd & Potter Raper
SITE
90 New Road,
Rainham,
Essex
RM13 8RS
Rainham,
Essex
RM13 8RS
DURATION
4 months
SERVICES USED
PROJECT OVERVIEW
At the end of 2016, Goody Demolition was employed by Your Lifespace Ltd to carry out the works at the former Somerfield’s building at 90 New Road, Rainham, Essex. The site was being regenerated to allow for the provision of a new mixed-tenure neighbourhood; providing 667 apartments, 38 houses and 12 maisonettes arranged
around extensive landscaped spaces and public realm, with over 1000m2 of commercial and retail spaces built for Clarion Housing Group.
Our works comprised the demolition of the redundant asbestos clad distribution warehouse, associated offices, workshops and hard standings. Special consideration had to be given for this site as it is less than 50 metres from the HS1 train track. There was a live sewer running under site as well as a large high-pressure gas main that was to remain live, which we successfully protected during our demolition works. There was also an electric sub-station on-site which we had to protect throughout the project.
around extensive landscaped spaces and public realm, with over 1000m2 of commercial and retail spaces built for Clarion Housing Group.
Our works comprised the demolition of the redundant asbestos clad distribution warehouse, associated offices, workshops and hard standings. Special consideration had to be given for this site as it is less than 50 metres from the HS1 train track. There was a live sewer running under site as well as a large high-pressure gas main that was to remain live, which we successfully protected during our demolition works. There was also an electric sub-station on-site which we had to protect throughout the project.
DELIVERING THE PROJECT
Works on site were carried out and completed in a single phase. We first cleared all of the debris around site, segregated the materials and transferred them into skips for recycling. We then demolished the vehicle workshop and purged, de-gassed and removed the fuel tanks. Next, we carried out the asbestos removal, before commencing with the structural demolition of the office buildings and warehouse, before finally breaking up the slab and foundations. The buildings were demolished by pulling all materials away from the HS1 track, thus preventing any debris or materials migrating onto the railway’s property.
Challenges overcome
Gas Main
A 36” gas main was present underneath the site, which was to remain live throughout the duration of the works. A disturbance or rupture to this National Grid asset could have had catastrophic consequences, and the resulting explosion could have led to extensive damage to property and potential loss of life. We worked collaboratively with National Grid to identify and mark the locations of the gas main, and designed a seismic monitoring protocol. This provided us with real-time data, with pre-determined trigger levels set on a “traffic light system”, which would alert us should the vibrations around the gas main be exceeding acceptable levels. The system sent a text to Site Management when approaching warning levels following which all works would be stopped and reassessed. The gas main was retained and protected throughout the works, without incident.
Network Rail
The site was located adjacent to the HS1 railway track, and as such special measures had to be taken to protect the network rail assets. A Basic Asset Protection Agreement (BAPA) was put in place, and we carried out vibration monitoring and amended our demolition strategy, this accommodated robust protection of the railway throughout the works, thus ensuring no damage was done to the tracks or infrastructure.
Environmental protection
The buildings were situated on the urbanised flood plain of the River Thames, located near to marshland area dominated by Rainham Marshes. As the largest nature reserve in the area (with over 70% designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest {SSSI), a nature conservation area bordered and encroached upon the site in places, thus we had to ensure extensive environmental protection, mitigation and monitoring were conducted from project start to final handover. The works were completed with zero environmental incidents and without impact to the surrounding flora and fauna.
Project outcome
We mobilised an appropriately qualified and experienced project team for this contract, led by our accredited CCDO Black Card accredited managers who co-ordinated all aspects of operations to successfully deliver the project on-time and on-budget.
The Senior Employer’s Agent for Potter Raper said: “Goody carried out the demolition of a site for Clarion Housing Group in Rainham. They provided a competitive price at tender and the friendly, helpful team delivered a professional job, on programme despite very challenging conditions.”
The Senior Employer’s Agent for Potter Raper said: “Goody carried out the demolition of a site for Clarion Housing Group in Rainham. They provided a competitive price at tender and the friendly, helpful team delivered a professional job, on programme despite very challenging conditions.”