Ponts Hill, Littleport

Remediation of gardens to residential properties and small areas of open space that were previously part of a Gas Works Site, carried out under Part 2A.

VHE was appointed to undertake remediation work in the front and rear gardens of 31 residential properties and areas of public open space at Ponts Hill in Littleport, Cambridgeshire.

Parts of the site were determined as contaminated land under Part2A of the Environmental Act. Site investigations identified the presence of contaminants including arsenic, cyanide, benzene, lead and polyaromatic hydrocarbons including benzo(a)pyrene due to the site’s use as a gas works prior to residential development.

The most suitable solution was to excavate and dispose of approximately 3,800m³ of non-hazardous and 1,000m³ of hazardous material. A clear layer of backfill in soft landscaped and garden areas was provided to break the pollutant linkage between the occupiers and the contamination. Prior to backfilling, a geotextile marker layer was placed to prevent mixing of imported and existing soils.

The scheme required VHE to work around people’s homes while they remained fully occupied whilst minimising disruption.