Glasgow Revisited

The latest project is to remediate a key strategic site for Clyde Gateway in the Shawfield area of Glasgow to provide key pedestrian linkages for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and to prepare the site suitable for future development.

The project deals with ground contamination, principally in the form of Chromite Ore Processing Residue (COPR) from a former chemical works, which had historically been used to backfill disused clay pits.

The main environmental issue associated with COPR relates to the presence of hexavalent chromium. The overall aim of the treatment is to use a specially prepared chemical reductant solution, calcium polysulphide, which will be injected via 8,000 rods inserted in a grid pattern targeting specific affected areas. The Calcium Polysulphide is specially manufactured in Japan and transported to Scotland by sea. Storage, mixing and injection of the solution on site are carried out under carefully controlled conditions and extensive monitoring of groundwater will be carried out to establish the success of the treatment.

Following the demolition of buildings formerly occupying the site VHE will undertake excavation and removal of former structural foundations which will be processed for reuse on site which is bounded by Shawfield Road, Glasgow Road and the River Clyde.

VHE are one of the UK’s leading remediation contractors and along with the client, and the project team including Turner Townsend Project Management and URS they are working closely to manage the project and local stakeholders, including residents, businesses and Regulators.

Jim Clark, the Senior Media Manager for Communications at Clyde Gateway said: “This is the beginning of what will be a complete transformation of the old Industrial Estate over the next decade.”