Mile Cross

Site size: 52,560 sq m 

Value: £3.5m 

Materials processed: 

• 69,626 m3 dug 
• 54,388.5 m3 screened, tested and engineered back into site  
• 15,237.5 m3 crushed – 6F5 stockpiled to reuse 

Scope of works: 

• Soil testing 
• Excavation 
• Knotweed treatment and removal 
• Asbestos in soils 
• Erection of Designed retaining wall scaffolding 
• Production/processing of 6F5 

The site has an interesting history, having been used as a depot for City Hall’s fleet of vehicles and in-house workers, and latterly as a business centre. It was also used to dispose of rubble after buildings in Norwich were bombed during the 1942 Baedeker Raids. Information on the site is detailed on hoardings around the perimeter, allowing visitors an opportunity to connect with the history of the area before it is transformed into something new. 

This was a major project for Anglian’s Earthworks team to clear the brownfield site of contaminants and remediate hazardous soils. The contractor was initially tasked with digging test pits, which were undertaken to determine the scale and type of contamination in the ground ahead of the project starting.  

With works then underway, Anglian processed all the materials, separating rubble and softer materials. The rubble containing concrete, bricks and tiles was crushed and reused as foundations for new roads on the site and at other nearby housing developments. Processed fines were returned to the ground. 

With the exception of asbestos, which was disposed of under duty of care, all materials were processed for reuse or recycled, with zero to landfill. 

Works took nine months, with Anglian leaving the site prepped and ready for the next stage of development. 

During the project, the Earthworks team uncovered a World War II helmet which was passed to local group The Common Lot for safe keeping as part of the site’s history files.