Archaeological services and remediation for the Mersey Gateway
A project as vast and complicated as the Mersey Gateway bridge must also adhere to strict environmental standards. Merseyside has a long history of extensive heavy industry, and land in the Gateway area could have potentially contained contaminants. RSKโs cohesive work from its various businesses minimised the financial impact of any contaminated materials and prevented any programme delays. The key to achieving this was to maximise the economic reuse of soil: testing identified untreated soil suitable for reuse, for example, in engineered earth structures, with the remainder treated on-site.
The remediation approach was developed and refined through bench-scale trials using our specialist geochemical laboratory to understand the contaminant mineralogy and geochemistry and to determine appropriate mix designs for each type of impacted material. For total petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soil, specialists blended lime, cement and pulverised fuel ash. For arsenic-contaminated soil, the preferred mix included hydrous ferric oxide as a sorbent and magnesium oxide as a hydraulic binder. A full-time RSK contamination verification manager assured remediation worked to plan. We worked collaboratively with regulators, the Environment Agency and the local authority and with the contractorโs team to tailor the approach to the clientโs specifications.
Archaeological watchdog
The local authorityโs archaeological advisers approved our archaeological design. Throughout the 36-month construction period, specific teams undertook an archaeological watching brief and liaised with the scheme engineers and environmental coordinators to integrate the archaeological work into the construction programme. The archaeological monitoring covered excavations for the mobile scaffold-support construction area. No time was lost during the construction programme through archaeological works. The work supported the community engagement programme and provided artefacts and interpretive materials for display at the Mersey Gateway visitor centre.
Treating, testing, monitoring and training
Excavations required dewatering or simple pumping to remove inflows of surface water and groundwater. Owing to the contaminants in the ground, protocols were put in place to collect and treat this water, which was then suitable for discharging to the municipal sewage system. One of the hazards encountered with the excavated materials was asbestos in soil. RSKโs laboratory specialists tested the materials and advised on control measures. Later, we ran an asbestos awareness training programme for site personnel.
RSK played a significant role in collating huge amounts of environmental data relating to planning conditions and consents. It also provided radiation monitoring and advisory services in collaboration with the Radiation Protection Agency and Health Protection Agency. Envirolab, an RSK company, delivered a substantial programme of chemical analysis and soil and water testing throughout the construction period. A specialist team of four environmental clerks facilitated rapid decisions on environmental issues and provided pragmatic solutions offering minimum disruption to the programme.
- Location: England
- Project status: Complete
Supporting the creation of a new garden village in Cheshire
View ProjectRepairing lightning damage on a wind turbine in Scotland
View ProjectHelping Singapore meet its future waste disposal needs
View ProjectDesigning and assessing an onshore wind farm in the Highlands of Scotland
View ProjectDesigning and assessing proposed windfarms in Scotland
View ProjectEnvironmental and social risk appraisal support for African โpower-to-xโ development
View ProjectConsulting on the construction of the Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant, Singapore
View ProjectBringing international best practice and process to phase 2 of Singaporeโs Deep Tunnel Sewerage System
View ProjectFacilitating renewable energy investments in Europe
View ProjectEnsuring shale gas projects for Poland and beyond
View ProjectProviding award-winning storm water solutions for urban flooding challenges
View ProjectUpgrading sewage treatment facilities to serve community needs in Hong Kong
View Project
๐ณ๏ธโ๐ RSK is proud to stand alongside members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community.
๐ People deserve to be their authentic selves and love freely without fear.
You can read Graeme and Abigail's full stories next week in RSK insights. Keep an eye on our social media for more information.
#rskfamily #pride #pridemonth #loveislove #lgbtq
๐ธ #selfiesonsite ๐คณ
Ryan Dunderdale, Senior Surveyor at Central Alliance, providing technical support and on-site training to datum plate install teams down in Bristol.
Want to join our team? View our latest opportunities ๐ www.rskgroup.com/careers
#RSKgroup #behindthescenes #meettheteam #RSKfamily #RSKonsite #engineering #construction
๐ In the June edition of our #employeespotlight, we spoke with with Rosie Pearce at Stephenson Halliday and Carmen Snowdon at WRc Group to find out about their recent achievements ๐
๐ Congratulations to you both!
Click the link in our bio to find out more!
#rskfamily #employeeapprecitation #team #landscapeinstitute #instituteofwater #architecture
"If you donโt feel valued, represented and respected in your workplace, then inevitably your #wellbeing will suffer.โ
๐ In our latest edition of #ADayInTheLife, we spoke with Ellen Lapworth-Maisey, Wellbeing, #Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at RSK โ a fascinating position that helps to create an inclusive and empowering #culture for all RSK staff.
Click the link in bio to learn more!
#RSKGroup #RSKfamily #diversity #inclusion #mentalhealth
๐ธ #selfiesonsite ๐คณ
Some pictures of the Envireau Water staff on site.
Want to join our team? View our latest opportunities ๐ www.rskgroup.com/careers
#RSKgroup #behindthescenes #meettheteam #RSKfamily #RSKonsite #waterindustry #construction
๐ถ ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฎ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ฐ๐น๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐๐
#RSKSteps came to an end on Tuesday 31 May after a month of stepping adventures.
๐๐ป ๐ป๐๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐:
โ๏ธ1449 participants
โ๏ธ332,268,416 steps
โ๏ธยฃ1500 raised for our chosen charity, MIND!
Read more about this fantastic challenge in our bio!
#RSKGroup #RSKfamily #wellbeing #health #mentalhealth #walking
#RSKEvents
๐ Join Dirk Van Look and Chris Hughes on our webinar all about #PFAS โ perfluoroalkyl substances, which are both human-made and known to be harmful to humans.
๐ก We will showcase real-life examples to demonstrate how RSK is responding and developing capabilities to assess these emerging #contaminants.
Find out more and register now in our bio!
#RSKGroup #RSKfamily #PFAScontaminants #foreverchemicals #chemicals
๐ In light of #PrideMonth, we are sharing information about how to become a better ally. #Pride offers a sense of solidarity and a platform for expression.
Keep an eye out for our upcoming posts!
#RSKGroup #rskfamily #LGBT #LGBTQ+ #inclusion #diversity #LGBTally #Pride2022
๐ข RSK is pleased to announce it has further expanded its presence in Ireland by acquiring one of the most reputable tree care companies in the country.
๐ณ Dermot Casey Tree Care was founded in the 1970s by Managing Director Dermot Casey and is one of the most highly regarded tree surgery companies in Ireland, with more than 50 years of experience.
Find out more in our bio!
#RSKGroup #RSKfamily #treecare #landscape #treesurgery #landscaping #nature