CONTRACT COMPLETION DATE September 2010
Our initial works, at the site of the new American Express building in central Brighton, involved the demolition of several industrial buildings, crushing of arisings and the supply and laying of a piling mat to the 4,300m_ tiered levels of the site on an incline of 1:6. Work had to take place around the piling contractor and subsequently the capping beam contractor thereby entailing a certain overlap and interaction between the trades.
The site is divided into two separate working areas by Mighell Street, which acted as the main service road to the existing American Express Offices positioned alongside. Both site areas were to be supported by contiguous piles and steel props to each corner.
On completion of the piling and capping beam erection, we commenced the main bulk excavation works to the larger site known as Building A. Starting at the Mighell Street elevation the depth of the dig was around 18 metres which dropped to 21 metres at the proposed central core area of the new structure. With over 30 lorries and around 200 loads removed from site on a good day and in excess of 9,0000 movements, the dig took 7 weeks to complete. Traffic management was a key aspect to the smooth running of the site. Each morning the trucks were held on the outskirts of the city and released in batches to avoid congestion on the road system and site. Considering the location, in the heart of the city of Brighton next door to the County Courts and police station, we completed without one complaint or traffic violation.
Finishing off the excavation was a little tricky as we had worked ourselves into a small area and had to reach down 12 metres. However as the photos show, it was completed satisfactorily and the machine used to bottom out the excavation was lifted clear by crane.
In all, we completed the project within time and to budget, with no incident or accident over a 12 week period, removing over 45,000m_ of material in a sustainable manner without landfill or the creation of waste.
