These enabling works are part of the CoLC’s plans to co-locate London’s wholesale food markets onto the site.

The works included decommissioning of two 40m deep, 3.2m diameter cooling water tunnels running beneath River Thames flood defences, demolition of the onsite pumping station, dredging of marine sediments, and removal of underwater structures at the intake and outfall shafts within the River Thames. Twenty-One boreholes were drilled along the route of both the intake and outfall tunnels for dewatering, grout injection, and environmental and quality assurance monitoring.

Throughout the project, Cognition was subject to the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations. We obtained a FRAP (Flood Risk Activity Permit) from the Environment Agency aimed at ensuring the flood defences were protected.  This meant certain environmental and engineering requirements had to be maintained throughout our works. These included compliance with a number of pre-commencement and post-completion conditions to ensure appropriate management of flooding and environmental risks and to prevent damage to the River Thames flood defences.

On surrendering the permit at completion of the works, we received feedback on our compliance from the Environment Agency. We had no non-compliances and, in the Flood Risk Activity Compliance Assessment Report, the Environment Agency stated how they “would like to thank Cognition Land & Water for their timely communication and provision of information throughout the permitting process and the decommissioning works, and their thoroughness in demonstrating compliance with the permit conditions”. We were also acknowledged for our prevention of pollution or environmental damage, and returning the site to the satisfaction of the regulator.

Sustainability and a Zero Carbon approach are always at the core of our values. We are proud that were able to maintain our track record of environmental consciousness on this project, whilst maintaining quality, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness as we continue striving for excellence in all our work.

What a great end to a challenging and innovative project! We would like to thank City of London for selecting Cognition as their contractor of choice.

Should you need a market leading, pioneering provider of bespoke solutions to complex civil engineering and remediation issues, contact us at enquiries@cognitionltd.com.