RSA Geotechnics has recently carried out a number of ground investigations within East London. One of our high profile projects is a geotechnical and environmental investigation and assessment for the redevelopment of Canning Town and Custom House.
Newham Council is working with various partners including London Thames Gateway Development Corporation, Bouygues and One Housing Group to transform the Canning Town and Custom House areas of East London.
It is estimated that more than £3.7 billion will be invested to improve the area over the next fifteen to twenty years. The first phase of the regeneration project will involve the creation of a new town centre on a sixteen acre brownfield site opposite Canning Town station.
The town centre will provide approximately 1,100 new homes and around 60,000 square metres of space for retail, offices, leisure facilities and a supermarket.
RSA Geotechnics was commissioned by Bouygues to carry out site investigation in connection with the redevelopment of Area 7/1C. The scope of works included a reconnaissance survey and detailed desk study of the site, followed by an intrusive geotechnical and geo-environmental investigation, with in-situ and laboratory testing and groundwater and ground gas monitoring.
The initial intrusive phase of investigation for the first area of development on the site comprised drilling four light-cable percussion boreholes to depths of between 20 and 30m and the excavation of a number of trial pits in order to provide good coverage of the site and to ensure sufficient sampling points to assess the ground conditions and any potential contamination. The site was found to be underlain by made ground and soft alluvial deposits overlying London Clay.
Our interpretative report described the investigation carried out and the ground conditions and geology encountered. The report discussed the geotechnical and geoenvironmental considerations and provided recommendations for use in the design and construction of the project, as well as the levels of contamination recorded and advice on the required remediation strategy for the site.
The initial phase of investigation has been followed by a number of subsequent investigations and associated assessment, as the project has progressed.