Brownfield Briefing
Remediation Innovation Awards 2006
The second annual Brownfield Briefing Remediation Awards, were presented last night by Eaun Hall, Chief Executive of The Land Restoration Trust last night
at a celebratory dinner at BAFTA head quarters in London.
The Awards aim to recognise best practice in remediation and use of remediation technology throughout the UK. The Awards were divided into three categories
of remediation, assessing the best use of biological, chemical and combined treatment, plus conceptual design work with a separate Award for the most innovative
method.
Overall sponsor was Augean plc, with the Award for the best chemical system sponsored by National Grid and the Award for the best innovative remediation method
was sponsored by NHBC. The event was supported by RICS and IEMA.
Dr Divyesh Trevedi, Chair of Nicole presented the Best Conceptual Design Award to Jacobs Babtie.
All entries were judged by an independent panel which included experts from both industry and academia.
Below is a list of the winners and their entries. Full details of the winning entries and short listed projects are detailed in the winner’s brochure which
can be downloaded from the link below:
(http://www.brownfieldbriefing.com/dow ...
THE WINNERS WERE:
1. Best use of Bio Systems
Biogenie Site Remediation and Biffa Waste Services for their Risley Soil Treatment Facility
A strategic alliance between Biogenie and Biffa has enabled the development and operation of the UK’s first fixed soil treatment facility, which opened
in Risley, Warrington, in November 2005. The facility represents the first example in the UK of a truly innovative approach to the problem of hazardous soil
disposal. It achieves significant reduction of pollution, with treated soils put to good use; is cost effective compared to disposal to landfill; has achieved
community acceptance via the planning process and enables the fast redevelopment of brownfield sites.
What the judges said about this project:
“Soil treatment centres have been talked about for donkey’s years – to see them finally coming through is a significant step forward”
'Excellent use of landfill gas is the finishing touch to the design and operation of such a significant treatment centre'
“A very positive element to this project is that the treated material is used for progressive rehabilitation of the site”
2. Best use of chemical systems – sponsored by National Grid
A joint submission by May Gurney & Hyder Consulting for the regeneration of Newlyn Harbour
May Gurney Ltd and Hyder Consulting applied an ex-situ stabilisation/solidification (s/s) solution to deal with heavy metal contamination in the bed of
Newlyn Harbour to enable the construction of a series of floating pontoon moorings to facilitate safe berthing at the harbour. The cost-effectiveness of the
treatment selected meant that the project was able to go ahead; the reuse of treated materials has meant that pollution has been reduced without generating
waste; and treatment has been carried out according to best practice techniques. In order to build the new facility, dredging of the harbour bed and the treatment
of the contaminated silts found there was required. The contamination is thought to have arisen through the use of organic tin compounds (TBT) in anti-fouling
paints applied to boat hulls.
The judges’ comments
“This represents a remediation solution spawned from the limitations of the Landfill Directive –and that is good news”
“Stabilisation has been around for a while but what is really positive in this instance is that all the work was staged on site, offering a total solution within
one location”
3. Best use of combined treatment systems
Southern Testing for their Tunbridge Wells Gas Works
Southern Testing was the clear winner for this category – judges acclaiming:
“This project demonstrates tremendous collaboration. It was homogeneous and well managed, bringing benefits off site as well as on site”
'Two tried and tested technologies brought together in a best practice manner... a well presented submission which gives due credit to those who actually
carried out the remediation”
The project was achieved of budget, on schedule and with an unprecedented degree of partnering between those carrying out the works. It achieved significant
reduction of pollution and the reuse on site of over 99% of the 40,000 tonnes of treated soil. The 4ha site, purchased by Barratt Homes (Kent) for residential
redevelopment in 2004, contained elevated levels of hydrocarbon contamination resulting from the site’s previous use for gas production – PAHs, TPH and BTEX
compounds. The site is underlain by Wadhurst Clay, overlaid by made ground. Local contamination of ground-water was also discovered, in particular in the
northern areas of the site where a gas holder station remained.
4. Best conceptual design
Jacobs Babtie for the Avenue former coking works, Chesterfield
Jacobs Babtie’s entry for the Avenue former coking works and chemical plant in Chesterfield is regarded as one of the worst single point sources of pollution
in the UK. Historic operations at this now derelict site left waste lagoons containing 200,00m3 of tar and contaminated sediments, a 350,000 waste tip and over
700,000m3 of adversely impacted soils, resulting in gross contamination of the adjacent River Rother. Clean-up of the East Midlands Development Agency-owned
site is being funded to the tune of £104m via English Partnerships' National Coalfields Programme. Jacobs Babtie, appointed as engineering consultants,
have engaged in extensive preparatory work which has led to the acceptance of a remediation strategy in 2005/2006. This sustainable conceptual design minimises
waste disposal, advocates a risk-based approach to material recovery and champions on-site treatment. It engages a wide variety of treatment technologies,
and has found a solution to the problem of contaminated lagoons, enabling the reuse of soil that would otherwise have been landfilled.
The judge’s comments on this project were:
“Soil treatment centres have been talked about for donkey’s years – to see them finally coming through is a significant step forward”
'Excellent use of landfill gas is the finishing touch to the design and operation of such a significant treatment centre”
“A very positive element to this project is that the treated material is used for progressive rehabilitation of the site”
5. Most innovative remediation method – sponsored by NHBC
Wrekin Construction for their Northwich Salt Mines Stabilisation Scheme
The Wrekin entry was for a £32m remediation project involved the infilling of four abandoned brine-filled salt mines to ensure the future stability of Northwich
town centre. It is the largest project of its kind in the world, with 850,000m3 of void to be filled at depths of 90m below ground, releasing 32ha of surface land.
As such, it could have caused significant environmental impact and disruption to the town. But the solution engineered by the project team minimised disruption
and achieved strong buy-in from the local community. It represents a complete solution that will enable regeneration of the town; it shows genuine novelty
and a significant technological advance; sustainability and cost effectiveness is ensured through the use of waste and recycled materials; and close attention
was paid to health and safety. The project is funded by English Partnerships' Land Stabilisation Programme, project managed by Vale Royal Borough Council,
and undertaken by Wrekin Construction, assisted by consultants Arup.
Judges comments….
“A wonderfully delivered project”
“This project went out of its way to secure tremendous community endorsement”
THE RUNNERS UP WERE:
Best use of bio systems
URS Remediation of former resins m
Press Release 27.6 KB (PDF)
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