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Subadra Go Bananas

Replacement Pipework

We certainly get to work at a wide variety of different sites, but a call from a major banana distributor was a first even for us. The underground pipework carrying fuel to supply their trucks had failed and required urgent replacement. At short notice we were on site replacing the corroded steel pipework with modern plastic equivalents. We sampled the soil around the failed pipework and our in-house laboratory was able to confirm within 24 hours that no significant ground contamination had occurred. Within 36 hours the fuel supply system was back in commission and the banana trucks had started rolling again.

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Pile Probing Record Smashed

Tom joins the 100ft club

Tom Petzing, one of our Geoprobe operators, last week smashed our long-held drilling record completing 218m (yes, that really is two hundred and eighteen metres) of pile probing in a single day. The deepest location was probed to a depth of 32.4m, or 106ft in old money, which means that Tom joins our Managing Director as a member of the elite Geoprobe 100ft club. Well done Tom, the t-shirt is in the post!

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Foundations for Key City Data Centre

Whilst much of our work in carried out in the provinces we sometimes dabble with high finance in the City.

Subadra played a key role in the development of an £80 million multi-storey data centre facility in London’s docklands area. We were brought in at the inception of the project to carry out a geotechnical and environmental investigation to determine ground conditions.

Our investigation comprised a network of boreholes across the development area that were used to collect soil samples for analysis and groundwater and hazardous gas monitoring points.

The site was especially tricky geotechnically, comprising areas of in-filled docks, some highly contaminated and others containing very soft silts and clays.

We used the data to assist with foundation design and the classification of waste soil.

Contract value: £20-50k

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Pile Probing for Five Star Hotel

Encountering obstructions during piling works and clearing these obstructions can cause significant cost implications and also impact upon the construction programme. However, delays and significant cost-overuns can be avoided by completing a quick and easy pile probing survey.
We recently carried out a pile probing exercise a high profile redevelopment project in central London. The principal contractor identified an old, below-ground fuel tank that needed to be removed. Due to adverse ground conditions and proximity to a basement and the adjacent road, sheet piling around the tank prior to its removal was considered the most effective and safest option.
We were brought in prior to the piling rig to identify an obstruction free boundary around the tank to allow the piling to be undertaken. We completed 400m+ of probing in two days using our Geoprobe drill rig, completing the works on budget and ahead of schedule.
Additionally, despite the working area having been surveyed and declared “service-free” by the principal contractor our drill team, who are all trained in service detection, identified a 4″ water main in our specified working area during our pre-enabling The findings from our probing allowed the pile design to be refined and the service clearance works we carried out avoided everyone from getting very wet.
Contract value: <£10k

See also: Mayfair Hotel

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Japanese Knotweed

Japanese knotweed is is a highly invasive plant found throughout the UK. It is capable of growing 10cm per day, breaking though weaknesses in buildings, foundations, concrete and tarmac.

Whilst physical damage to foundations and structures is the most visible problem associated with a knotweed infestation, its presence can also lead to significant reductions in land value and restrictions on redevelopment. Planning authorities will require the eradication of knotweed as a planning condition that must be completed prior to development.

During a recent site visit to scope demolition and site remediation works we identified a clump of knotweed. Our client was intending to purchase the site and the knotweed’s presence had not been picked up by their valuation survey.

The projected costs for dealing with the knotweed we identified was ~£30k. With our assistance our client was able to negotiate a reduction in purchase price to offset the necessary remedial costs.  Our client has since purchased the site and we managed the knotweed remediation as part of the wider site clearance works. The works were completed on time and on budget and come with a 10year guarantee.

Would you recognise a knotweed rhizome? If not, call us to arrange a site survey. Contact James Edley – Tel: 01296 739412

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Environmental Permitting Regulations 2010

We have recently completed an environmental baseline survey for ASM Metal Recycling Ltd on a site in Iver, assisting in their application for a site licence under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (England and Wales), 2010. The works were
designed to assist with the completion of a Site Condition Report for submission to the Environment Agency.
As part of our assessment we used our Geoprobe drilling system to construct 50mm diameter boreholes and install permanent groundwater monitoring infrastructure at the site. Site works were completed in a single day. Soil and groundwater samples we collected were then analysed by our in-house UKAS accredited laboratory.
We would always recommend that anyone taking on the leasehold of a site consider completing an environmental baseline survey before taking possession or commencing activities. Identifying and quantifying historical contamination before occupation is the only
sure way to protect against future claims by the landlord for historical contamination liability.
Please contact James Skinner for advice regarding any aspect of managing potential environmental liabilities during a property leasehold.