Cognition has been contracted to develop a remediation strategy and carry out remediation work at the former London Docklands. Although common to many brownfield redevelopments, Cognition was tasked with designing a remediation strategy taking into account a number of site constraints relating to its proximity to a an adjacent tube line, health centre, school and local housing.

This close proximity to residential and ecological areas required Cognition to adopt a remediation strategy which would cause minimal disruption. Cognition’s experience with environmental monitoring was essential in facing these challenges, knowledge appreciated both by the client and local residents.

Monitoring of noise, vibration, odour and volatile organic compounds was undertaken both before and during works. In conjunction with a flexible mitigation strategy, this allowed Cognition to accurately measure and minimise the impact work had on local residents and the environment.

The remediation works involved the treatment of approximately 15,000m3 of soil by segregation, bioremediation and soil encapsulation to deal with a range of contaminants including asbestos, heavy metals and PAHs.

Upon completion of treatment the site was backfilled with cement stabilised soil to provide a geotechnically suitable platform for piling and a suitable formation for roads and car-parks. While some material was disposed of, the treatment ensured this this material was classified as inert. This, combined with a rejection rate of less than 5%, saved the client considerable costs.

With this first phase of the project complete and the works meeting all targets and objectives, Cognition is planning the next phase of works in close co-operation with sub-contractors Rock and Alluvium and UKD.