MHB was appointed by East Lothian Council (ELC) to provide a site investigation and assessments of the earthworks bunds around the former Cockenzie Coal Power Station (CCPS) coal store for contamination and geotechnical suitability as fill material for a development base in the former power station void platform. ELC is seeking to redevelop the site for low/zero carbon energy use and for economic development.
The Site was noted as a dedicated coal and biomass storage and handling area where ethe volume of materiel sorted would vary depending on demands. Deliveries of coal would arrive at the site via a railway line that runs along the top of the eastern bund and through the wagon discharge house. The coal was then offloaded in the discharge house and distributed within the storage area by mobile plant working within the store. Coal was transported from the storage area to the main station by overhead enclosed conveyor system.
The coal store landscaping bunds has an approximate volume of 1,00,000m3 with an estimated 10,000m3 concrete present within part of the bund associated with former tunnel system and foundations. It is proposed to remove these earth bunds to initially infill in the platform void in the former power station (approximately 174,000m3) and following completion of the up filling of the station void, the remaining material would be regraded over the coal yard to provide a level and developable platform.
The works include a detailed review of previous works, intrusive site investigation by ERS Remediation, topographical survey, assessment of the prevalent geotechnical and geo-environmental conditions and suitability of material for fill and subsequent development.
