Member Article

Firms work together to protect environment 
during building of £41m road project

A land remediation company has helped protect the environment after a large amount of fuel oil was uncovered during a major road infrastructure project. Initially, the hazardous waste was identified by Sunderland City Council during the early planning stages of the third phase of the Sunderland Strategic Transport Corridor (SSTC3) Following the commencement of the £41m scheme in May 2019, Esh Construction contacted ATG Group after further investigations at the site in Pallion revealed the amount of waste oil was much larger than originally anticipated ATG Group implemented a rigorous 18-month recovery strategy which has successfully removed over 5,000 litres of oil and helped protect the River Wear and a nearby aquifer from further contamination throughout the construction of the scheme. Duncan Sanders, ATG Group’s Project Director, said: “A strategy had been put in place at the original planning stages by Esh Construction, who are constructing the road. After further investigations by their team, it was discovered that the amount of hydrocarbon waste was much larger than expected. “Using our extensive expertise and experience, and with the support of Esh Construction and Sunderland City Council, we were able to put together a remediation strategy.” ATG Group designed and installed an innovative semi-automated remediation system, which has recovered over 5,000 litres of oil from depths of 15-metres via a network of boreholes. Mr Sanders added: “The recovery of the maximum amount of oil was made possible by a thorough understanding of the local hydrogeology, detailed design and optimisation of the remediation system.” Steven Garrigan, Esh Construction’s Project Director, said the recovery of the waste oil was challenging due to its depth and its location. He added: “ATG Group was employed to investigate, delineate and recover the fuel oil as part of our contracted scope. The early engagement of ATG on the project to develop the remediation strategy has helped keep the programme delivery on track.” Mr Sanders added: “It has been a privilege to be work with Esh Construction and Sunderland City Council to help protect both the river and aquifer.” The 2.4km dual carriageway scheme, which will be completed in autumn 2021, links the Northern Spire to Sunderland City Centre. The scheme is a catalyst to the redevelopment of the former industrial land on the south bank of the River Wear and improving connectivity and transport to the upcoming £500m Riverside Sunderland development.

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