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The works to relocate the gas pressure reduction system (GPRS) as part of the wider Chelmer Waterside project are continuing. During these works you will see contractors from Morrison Energy Services and Cadent delivering the works on behalf of Chelmsford City Council. |
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During the past month the team have completed the following:
- The existing cast iron mains pipes have been prepared ready for the new pipework to be connected.
- Sadly, due to the impact of Storm Ciarán, some of the site became flooded which has caused a delay to onsite works. This flooding has not affected the pipelines in the area as these are underground.
- Outside of the site compound, in Bristol, the manufacture of the new pipework has continued.
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Over the next month the team will:
- Continue with offsite manufacturing of the pipeline.
- The manufactured pipework will undergo testing to ensure there are no defects in the welding. This testing of the pipework is conducted in the factory in a controlled environment.
- Continue works will to clear the ground water before onsite works are resumed.
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Following the recent events of flooding at the site, we have decided to provide further information should the area suffer from flooding again as it is common knowledge that the new GPRS will be located in an area liable to flooding.
This issue has been considered at all stages of the project, including design, planning and construction. Prior to designing the GPRS numerous ground surveys and a Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) were conducted in order to implement unique design solutions to account for the flood risk.
The most visible feature is the raised steel platform which will house the boiler and telemetry house and is now in place on site.
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This platform sits at a height which will be approximately one metre above the proposed finished ground level, which has been determined from information provided in the FRA. This report sets out a predicted worst case '100-year event' scenario which would result in the depth of water on the site of around 850mm (0.85 metres). All equipment that is not suited to being submerged will be placed on the platform to ensure there is no loss of supply. The GPRS will be automatic, therefore will have no manual intervention other than for routine maintenance. Maintenance activities will be planned around the flood season or postponed (without risk) should an unseasonal flood event occur.
As part of the construction work, a major element of the works is to divert the old pipelines to connect into the new GPRS. As the works to divert a pipeline can be quite intrusive, it is normal practice to strip the top soil from the area. This is to protect it from machines that will move across this area. In addition, it makes the working area more accessible. However it does lower the current ground level which will increase the effect of events such as flooding. The top soil is currently being stored in large mounds known as berms.
After the works to install the GPRS have been completed, numerous works will be undertaken to restore the meadow area to its original state. This includes reinstating the top soil the area to restore the ground level and installing a new boundary fence between the allotments. The meadow will be built along the original boundary line and new native tree species planted. There will be no above ground equipment in the meadow.
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