UKAEA Safety & Reliability Directorate Site

History

The SRD site was the first nuclear site in the UK to be sold for domestic development. Bagnall Demolition undertook the large-scale demolition of the SRD site in Culcheth, near Warrington.

The Project

A survey was carried out, which included the building, the land area and the drainage system.

Techniques included environmental gamma dose rate measurement, high sensitivity gamma detection and a 3D contamination study. The interpretation of the survey data was undertaken, in accordance with recognised radiological standards and limits, with a risk based approach being adopted for this most restrictive use.

A number of structures were dismantled and demolished, including removal of all underground tanks. The full range of demolition expertise was employed, from careful soft strip and hand demolition, before making way for remote demolition equipment.

Low Velocity explosives were employed to attack heavily engineered foundation pads. This delivered an effective result whilst ensuring the safety of occupied neighbouring commercial buildings.

On completion of the heavy demolition and clearance work, careful land remediation took place, particular attention being given to the preservation of mature trees.

The contract was completed ahead of schedule.

This project marked one of the most significant early successes of the UKAEA programme to reduce its liabilities and return land to beneficial use.