Enabling works

The next phase of work after shaft isolation is ground enabling - the removal of redundant services and installation of the new services.

A number of existing site services, including the drain that carries low-active effluent from various plants to the sea discharge tanks, are located on the proposed construction site.

These need to be removed before work can begin to build the major plants needed to empty the shaft and silo.

This phase is expected to take until 2012 to complete at an estimated cost of approximately £6 million.

Once complete, it will enable the construction team to begin building the major plants that will empty and process the waste from the shaft and silo.

Key features of the ground enabling works include:

  • Service diversion
  • Installation of a new low-active drain
  • Removal of old low-active drain
  • Excavation of shielding corridor
  • Removal of switch room and silo filtration plant
  • Excavation of initial ground works
  • Installation of new services

The new services to be installed in the ground include electricity supply, drinking water, raw water, steam heating, telecoms, sewage, storm water drainage and active effluent drainage.

 

 

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Image: Aerial view of shaft and silo in 1996, before decommissioning work started

Aerial view of shaft and silo in 1996, before decommissioning work started

Image: Aerial view of shaft and silo in 2006 during the first phase of decommissioning

Aerial view of shaft and silo in 2006 during the first phase of decommissioning

Image: Workers divert water services at the construction site (March 2009)

Workers divert water services at the construction site (March 2009)

Image: Water services are diverted (March 2009)

Water services are diverted (March 2009)