Land reclamation
The scheme has taken over 10 years to complete and civil engineering contractor Walters UK Ltd has moved 4 million cubic metres of earth in the final 4 years. This major land reclamation project has culminated in the creation of the biggest plateau, at 100 acres, available for development in the South Wales valleys.

The reclamation works have had an estimated £1.8 million invested in the scheme from the European Union, which was awarded to the Welsh Assembly Government. The first phase of reclamation consisted of clearing the colliery buildings and some river retention works. Phase 2 involved the realignment of the main access and phase 3 has been the major earthworks, including land acquisition - total land reclamation cost £10m. The site has witnessed a staggering 4 million cubic metres of material moved in the final 4 years as two large tips were levelled to provide 4 development plateaus, totalling 170 acres.

During the main earthworks a series of settlement lagoons were constructed on the lowest plateau (4). These lagoons provided an important barrier to protect the delicate ecosystem of the Sirhowy River, which lies in an entrenched valley 300 feet below the main site. The planting on the slopes has become so well established that there is no longer a requirement to provide a physical barrier for the river below. All of the lagoons have been removed except for one, which has been cleaned and retained as a feature.

To view the Engineering Reports e-mail Gareth Porter, Property Manager.

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