Summary
We were instructed by the principal contractor to undertake a complex remediation and excavation project at
a property in Taunton. The job involved emergency tree removal, contaminated soil excavation, and the
installation of multiple new services, all within a challenging environment featuring numerous existing
utilities.
Scope of works
- Emergency removal of a large Corsican pine tree that had root-heaved and fallen onto a heating oil tank, causing kerosene spillage.
- Clearance of contaminated soils across a steep, compacted gravel driveway and adjacent soil bank.
- Careful excavation around extensive existing services, including:
– 35mm armoured cable
– Three-phase power
– Oil line
– Fibre optic cable
– Multiple water lines from two boreholes - Installation of new services:
– 35mm armoured cable for future solar farm
– Three-phase power for a new workshop and borehole
– Power supply for an electric vehicle charging point
Challenges
- Emergency Response: The fallen tree had damaged a low-voltage ABC power line and pole, requiring third-party consent from Western Power and safety checks before work commenced.
- Complex Service Layout: Numerous underground utilities demanded meticulous planning and execution to avoid damage.
- Environmental Risk: Significant kerosene contamination required controlled excavation and disposal.
Methodology
- Emergency Tree Removal
– Secured consent from Western Power.
– Specialist arboricultural team dismantled the tree to ground level.
– Chipped and removed all waste from site. - Contaminated Soil Excavation
– Reviewed service diagrams and conducted CAT scanning.
– Hand-dug trial pits to confirm service depths and positions.
– Excavated approximately 30m x 2.5m area over five days, using insulated tools and mechanical excavation where safe.
– Laboratory testing confirmed removal of contaminated soils. - Service Installation
Installed:
– 35mm armoured cable for solar farm (150m trench across road).
– Three-phase power for workshop and borehole.
– EV charging point supply.
– Trenches dug to regulation depth and reinstated with layered compaction. - Reinstatement
– Backfilled with Type 1 granular material in 150mm layers.
– Protected water mains with soft sand and detectable marker tapes (color-coded per service).
– Finished surface reinstated with black tram matting and decorative stone.
Has it been evaluated? How successful has it been?
The project successfully mitigated environmental hazards, restored site integrity, and future-proofed the
property with upgraded services. Despite the complexity of existing utilities and steep terrain, all works were
completed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with regulations.
