London Luton Airport Soil Screening

Ryebridge Construction was contracted as civils company to cover three phases of consented Environmental Agency permitted screening and compaction works.

Project Principles and Objectives

The fundamental principle and objective of these works were to design and construct a programme across three phases to remediate an existing bunded stockpile. The existing bund was to be tested, screened and repositioned following the highway standard for compaction, drainage and top-soiling. As Principal Contractor, responsibilities included management, compliance and discharge of all planning conditions. In addition to this, the successful engagement, liaison and coordination with the Environmental Agency was a key objective.

Project Works and Key Quantities

The top-level scope of works was to screen the stockpiled excavated material defined as stockpile S1A west. The volume involved was approximately 106,500m3 of material. The soil testing exercise identified hotspots and material to be removed off-site, as well as material that could be placed in a quarantine area and remediated, retested, and then placed in the bund.

Essential key works:

  • Install new temporary air-side fence

  • Bore holes (36) and soil testing

  • Creation of a quarantine hard-standing area with hazardous and non-hazardous waste areas

  • Removal of hotspots to go off-site

  • Remediated soil to be located in quarantine areas and treated twice weekly

  • Screen material and separate wood, plastics, metals and large stone/concrete

  • Recycling concrete and stone arising from the screening

  • Screened material less than 150mm moved to new bund

  • Bund compacted with pad foot roller in accordance with specification for highway works

  • Install 150m of 350mm perforated land drain with headwall and catch pits

  • Nominal Topsoil covering throughout at a level to discourage habitats and vermin

  • Reinstate air-side fence to new position

  • Total project man-hours in excess of 10,000 with no accidents or incidents.

  • All works were completed on time and to budget.

Innovation and Best Practice (VE)

The remediation strategy was a success, ensuring just four loads left site as hazardous material. The recycled material is available for use on projects around the Airport, reducing the lorry movements on-site and saving cost for the Airport on projects.

Careful planning and sequencing of works minimised the haulage movements on-site. Despite losing nearly a month due to poor weather the reduction in movements ensured no extension of programme.