There was a slightly longer version of another very similar article in the
Gazette local weekly. This had the same picture as before, but in colour
with better definition. So if anyone wants the picture of a small specially
designed small underground excavator, email me off list. I have jpg files of
either 84 or 1023kb available.
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Firm wins £1m mines contract
By Gazette reporter
SPECIALIST firm Hydrock Contracting Ltd, from Almondsbury, has beaten off
competition from four international companies to scoop a £1 million contract
to carry out emergency stabilisation work in abandoned Combe Down Stone
Mines in Bath.
The 18th and 19th century mines, abandoned more than 1 00 years ago, cover a
40-acre area, much of which is under residential areas and roads.
Hazard
The contact, awarded by Bath and North East Somerset Council, involves
excavating stone and driving roadways through the mines to carry out
stabilisation work in high-hazard areas by pumping foam concrete, spraying
shotcrete and pneumatically placing stone.
With no off-the-shelf tunnelling machine small enough to work in the
available space, Hydrock engineers have designed and built their own
excavating machines which will double the rate of progress. Previously
Hydrock's team of miners has done the work by hand.
In addition to the challenges faced by work in such an inhospitable and
often dangerous environment, there are further restrictions because the
mines are home to a rare species of bat.
As one of the top 20 hibernation sites in northern Europe of the horseshoe
bat the mines have been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Restricted
Noise and light levels have to be carefully monitored and certain areas have
restricted access.
Unannounced visits by a bat specialist appointed by the council ensures that
conditions are met - failure to comply could result in suspension of the
work.
Deer and badger populations also had to be catered for in an environmental
development plan which formed part of the tender process.
Dr Brian McConnell, Hydrock's managing director, said: "We faced tough
competition for four other international companies and we are delighted to
have been awarded this prestigious contract."
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Picture caption: Hydrock directors Dr Adam Fisher, Dr Rob Narbett, Hamish
Orr-Ewing and Dr Brian McConnell in Combe Down Mines
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So this is the latest in a long running saga to prevent houses and roads
falling into the ground due to the very small depth below the surface. Is
there anything worth preserving on the surface, now that most of the
underground is being filled in?
All the best
Roger
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