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Crossrail activities - page 4 of 4

Any potential devices identified in the ground through the survey will be reported to the authorities for further investigation. Similar ground surveys will be undertaken at other Crossrail sites in east London.

Linda Miller continued: “We know from existing maps where bomb drops occurred in London during the 1940s. Ahead of major refurbishment work on the Connaught Tunnel, we will be undertaking detailed checks to identify whether there are any remaining devices that are yet to be uncovered. All the information obtained through our magnetic ground surveys will be used to update existing London-wide mapping as well as inform future construction projects.”

After surveys for unexploded ordnance are completed, Crossrail archaeologists will open excavation trenches in an attempt to locate evidence of human settlement and farming in the area dating back nearly 6,000 years. Working with the Museum of London Archaeology, Crossrail also aims to map the effect of the River Thames on the area during historic and prehistoric times.

Sitting above the Connaught Tunnel near Connaught Bridge is the tunnel pump house. This attractive Victorian building is too small to accommodate the larger modern pumping equipment that will be installed as part of the tunnel’s major refurbishment. Subject to structural surveys, Crossrail proposes donating the structure to the SS Robin Trust.

The SS Robin is one of the world’s oldest steamships and was built in east London. The ship’s trust is seeking a permanent berth in the Royal Docks and the pump house structure would form the quayside ticket office.

The cofferdam works which will commence in 2013 have been planned in conjunction with the Royal Docks Management Authority and timed to start after the London Boat Show. [CWMAGS]

Concrete firms puts building blocks in place for future growth

A firm that supplies precast concrete products to a wide range of industries across the UK has celebrated the start of its fifth year in business earlier this month with plans to expand into significantly larger premises.

Shropshire-based Elite Precast Concrete Ltd currently employs a team of 28 and manufactures and supplies a range of interlocking precast concrete blocks, which are used by local authorities and recycling businesses to create extremely robust, free standing storage bays to hold waste. The blocks are also proving to be an increasingly attractive solution in sectors such as outdoor hospitality and construction, where they are easily utilised as kentledge – a form of temporary counterweight – to hold scaffolding, security fencing, and even marquees in place.

After officially launching in January 2008, Elite Precast Concrete Ltd has now grown to become the UK’s market leader in interlocking and counterweight precast concrete blocks, and enjoys a multi-million pound turnover that has increased more than sevenfold over the past year.

   Owen Batham, Sales and Marketing Director of Elite Precast Concrete Ltd (left), explained: “Richard Doody and Alan Johnson, the company’s founders, had decades of experience working within the construction materials sector before they decided to create a company that would do things differently than the industry norm. Launching at the start of the recession was certainly a brave move, they struggled to secure bank finance, but they were so passionate about their plans that they remortgaged their houses to obtain the necessary working capital. That belief has paid off, and the company is now in a fantastic position to capitalise on such strong foundations.”

In addition to consolidating its position in the waste management and recycling sectors, where it counts a number of local authorities and waste management companies as clients, Elite Precast Concrete Ltd is also aiming to expand into a variety of other markets, both in the UK and internationally, over the coming months.

“The energy-from-waste sector offers huge potential, as our blocks are ideal for storing fuel at anaerobic digestion facilities. We are also looking to expand our operations in the healthcare sector, where the ‘V’ Interlocking concrete blocks can be used to build radiation units in cancer treatment facilities –we have already been involved in a project like this in Saudi Arabia – while the rail industry is also another massive untapped market, as our blocks can easily be installed on embankments during improvement and maintenance work.”

Click here for more information >>> Elite Precast Concrete Ltd

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