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RUTLAND STREET | VESTRY STREET | HALFORD STREET This project involved the demolition, enabling works and ground remediation package at Rutland Street in Leicester City Centre, and paved the way for the new £48 million Performing Arts Centre, commissioned by Leicester City Council and due for completion in 2007. The asbestos removal works started in July 2004, to enable commencement of the demolition in January 2005. The demolition involved a wide range of buildings across the site dating from late 19th century through to 1960s RC multi- storey structures. The only building left untouched was a listed 4-storey structure, which will be refurbished by a private developer as part of the new development. Basement retention and waterproofing was carried out as part of the demolition works. The site was bounded by a brand new residential apartment block as well as the “Athena” events centre and the Rutland Centre NCP multi-storey car park and offices. Noise, vibration and dust, therefore, were major concerns and were addressed accordingly. The methods used included traditional strip and hand demolition, long reach mechanical equipment and complete remote demolition of two fire damaged/unstable structures. At its peak, the workforce was 15-strong, and was backed by 5 x 360-deg. excavators. Pigeon and rat infestations had to be dealt with progressively in order to prevent the vermin re-occupying other parts of the site. One four-storey R.C structure, which had sprayed asbestos coatings throughout, threw up the additional problem of large amounts of needles discarded by drug-users. Specialist contractors were brought in to deal with these appropriately. Leicester City Council appointed Wrightways Ltd as Principal Contractor with the aim of handing over a “clean” site to the new-build contractor by May 2005. As well as the Demolition and site clearance, this also involved the excavating, processing and re-laying of some 38,000 tonnes of fill, topped off with a 1.0m thick 6F2 piling mat. The excessively deep mat was deemed necessary after the discovery of running sand at a depth of 3.0m – 6.0m. It is estimated that in excess of 99% of the arisings were re-used on site. The waste materials that were carted away were taken predominantly to the company’s’ Waste Transfer Station. The site was certified as free from obstructions and contaminants in readiness for the piling works to commence. Basement retaining walls immediately adjacent to the footpath elevations had to be retained and buttressed and adjacent excavations to a depth of 6m had to be strategically planned to avoid the possibility of undermining the existing foundations. The project was successfully completed within budget and one week early. click on an image below to enlarge
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