Hydrock has been shortlisted in the prestigious 2008 Ground Engineering Awards in recognition of the excellent work carried out by a team of Hydrock miners and mining engineers on the Emergency Stabilisation of Stone Mines underground at Combe Down in Bath.
The Combe Down Stone Mines, covering an area of approximately 40 acres, much of which is under residential areas and highways, were worked during the 18th and 19th centuries to produce Bath stone used in the city's buildings and exported nationwide. Although the mines have not been worked for over 100 years, over-mining and ongoing deterioration of the workings means that in some places, the mine roof was so thin that building and highway subsidence was a major concern. The Emergency Works were completed in Spring 2008 when, following a stringent selection process, Hydrock was appointed to carry out the next stage of the stabilisation works. The Main Scheme Contract is funded by English Partnerships, managed by Bath and North East Somerset Council, and will run to 2009.
Bath & North East Somerset Council's Project Leader for the Combe Down Stone Mines Team, Mary Sabina Stacey, gave Hydrock a glowing reference for the awards submission; "Bath and North East Somerset Council is very pleased with Hydrock's performance. Hydrock has dealt with a difficult situation very professionally, working with many anxious residents, setting up a worksite in the middle of a densely settled village, mitigating environmental constraints, and working in a dangerous environment in such a way as to protect workers underground. The project was completed on time and to budget and without accident and is considered to be a very successful major project by the client and stakeholders."
The Ground Engineering Awards have been created to honour the huge successes and achievements within geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering and the seven awards will celebrate the importance of geotechnics and its ability to demonstrate innovation, sustainability and value engineering. Hydrock is a finalist in the category 'Geotechnical / Geoenvironmental Public Sector Project of the Year over £1m' which will be judged by a panel of 8 professionals including representatives from the Olympic Delivery Authority, Imperial College London and English Partnerships and the winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, London on 15th February 2008.
