Subadra Plays Key Role in Development of Award-Winning Filling Station

Subadra are delighted to be part of the consultancy team that helped the Fraser Group navigate through the complexities of the planning system, enabling them to redevelop an old filling station in Yarnton, Oxfordshire. The site had been operating for more than 100 years but was in danger of closing until the Fraser Group took on the challenge of transforming this tired old site into a state-of-the-art multi award-winning forecourt facility and 2,950 sq ft Budgeons shop.

Subadra completed a combined geotechnical and environmental investigation prior to the commencement of the construction phase and soil verification sampling during the removal of the old, below-ground tanks. Our environmental reports were submitted to the Local Planning Authority to assist in the discharge of conditions specified within the Planning Decision Notice.

Information on developers’ obligations when developing land that may be contaminated can be found within the Government’s core guidance document ‘Planning Policy Statement 23: Planning and Pollution Control’.

Alternatively you can give us a call and we’ll talk you through the process.

Contract value: £5-10k

Posted in Construction, Environmental, Geotechnical |

Testing for Water in Fuel

Recent changes have seen the introduction of ethanol as a fuel additive. However ethanol (and bio-ethanol) are able to absorb water and this can give rise to corrosion issues at fuel storage sites such as filling stations, fuel depots etc. Our UKAS and MCerts accreditted laboratory is now able to test samples of fuel (petrol, diesel, jetA1 etc) for dissolved water content using the Karl Fischer titration method. The test is accurate down to 1 part water per million parts fuel with results available within 2 working days of us receiving the sample. Please contact Duncan Eastland – 01296 739431 – for further information or to arrange for sample testing.

Posted in Laboratory |

Subadra Brave the Elements

We’re not usually one to complain about the weather, but last week’s road trip around Scotland pushed our site engineers to the limit. We were completing a series of geo-environmental ground investigations using our GeoProbe drilling system, prior to the sites’ redevelopment early next year. Our site engineers endured sub-zero temperatures in Inverness, snow in Aberdeen and gale force winds in Glasgow. 

However, the show must go on and, once suitable amendments to our site-specific risk assessments had been made, all works were completed on time and on budget. A big thanks to our site team: you certainly deserve your Christmas turkey this year!

Contract Value: £10-25k

Posted in Environmental, Geotechnical |

From Scrapyard to Parkland

Subadra have completed the successful transformation of a former scrap yard site into a public open space – on time and under budget.
Subadra, acting as Principal Contractor, have recently completed the investigation, remediation and landscaping of a 0.3ha former scrap yard site in Harmondsworth following an eight week program of works. Following detailed site characterisation works, we devised a remedial strategy comprising the targeted excavation of contaminated soils using GPS surveying equipment. Contamination issues included soils impacted with lead, hydrocarbons and solvents and additional impact of underlying groundwater. We pre-treated excavated soils on site, with over 100tonnes of material reclaimed for re-use on site.

Over 500tonnes of soil required offsite disposal to recycling facilities and an additional 30tonnes of plastic waste and 8tonnes of metal were recovered. Groundwater was treated with in-situ oxygen release compounds. Following remedial works we have completed detailed landscaping of the site, importing over 800tonnes of top soil and foundation materials, meeting the Client’s requirements to return the site to public open space. The site will shortly form part of the larger Harmondsworth Moor parkland complex.

Contract Value: £100-250k

Posted in Environmental |

A Pig Ate Our Drill Rig Keys. Seriously!

It’s not every day we are asked to carry out a geotechnical investigation in a field full of 250lbs pigs. Initially inquisitive the pigs soon got bored and left us in peace to carry out our SPT testing using our DandoTerrier drilling system. By the end of the day our drill team were left with just one particularly friendly sow with a fondness for shiny metal objects. In fact, she liked them so much that she ate our drill rig’s keys while our backs were turned. Now that made for an interesting incident report!

The data obtained during our investigation is currently being used assist in the design of foundations for a new motorway service area. The presence of highly weathered, putty chalk (we’re talking toothpaste) means piling will be required. Contract value: <£5k

Posted in Geotechnical |

Return to the South Atlantic

Subadra have been appointed to construct a series of groundwater abstraction wells on St Helena island.  The trip, planned for early 2012, will be our third to the island, one of the remotest spots on Earth. We will be mobilising around 5 tonnes of equipment to the island to facilitate the works.

Posted in Environmental, Geotechnical |

Lab passes UKAS audit

Our lab has completed its annual UKAS audit, passing with flying colours. This year UKAS decided to spring a surprise visit, arriving unannounced a month earlier than expected. Despite this they found that everything to be in good order and have confirmed that our accreditation has been extended for another year.

Posted in Laboratory |

CBR Testing for Highways

Our geotechnical site  teams have been kept busy this month carrying out in situ CBR testing for a major road development project in Essex. We have tested the density of the sub-base along the length of the highway extension, with each test accurately located using our Leica TotalStation surveying equipment.

Contract Value: <£10k.

Posted in Geotechnical |

Kate Clark Joins Subadra

We’re very pleased to announce that Kate Clark has now joined us as our Laboratory Manager. Kate has previously been working in British Columbia for a similar company to us. She has extensive experience of all the analytical techniques we currently employ plus a few more.

Posted in Laboratory |

Listed Georgian Vault Reconstructed

Subadra have completed the reconstruction of a Grade II Listed coal vault in Marylebone, London. The vault, which supported the pavement above, had partially collapsed and was unsafe. Working from pavement level, we removed the damaged masonry and replaced it with an enlarged reinforced concrete structure, turning what had been an unuseable space into a fully serviced utility room for the client. We carried out the Planning and Listed Building applications, foundation and structural design, as well as all demolition and construction work.

Contract Value: £25-50k.

Posted in Construction, Geotechnical |