What we need to do
The map provides a bird’s eye view of the existing site in Redbridge where we need to carry out the following maintenance and improvements:
Replacement of some equipment on our main Redbridge Lane West site: including various modifications to mechanical equipment and pipe supports amongst others.
Modification of smaller adjacent Cadent site: we need to carry out modifications to this site as the metal ladders and platforms within the valve pits have corroded over the years, hindering safe access and egress for our personnel and therefore need to be replaced.
Noise: our work will aim to mitigate noise created by our above ground equipment. During construction, the team will have the latest technology, including noise-reducing elements, that will make our operations much quieter for our neighbours. Additionally, during construction we’ll monitor noise levels throughout our activities at site and do all we can to keep them to a minimum.
Fencing: to improve the safety of the site, we will be replacing the perimeter fence with higher specification fencing.
In order to facilitate this work, we will need to carry out the following:
Some vegetation/tree removal: to ensure that we can keep the required safety clearance to the fence. We’ve carried out ecological surveys and are working with the Redbridge Neighbourhood Street Scene Team as well as a specialist Consultant to ensure that we carry out the work as safely and practically as possible, with minimal environmental impact. We will replace 5 trees for every 1 tree removed.
Temporary site compound set up: this will need an area of a minimum of 2,500m2 and will only be installed temporarily whilst construction takes place. We need to establish a temporary compound with good access for construction vehicles so we can carry out our work safely. The compound will include a main project office, welfare facilities for our employees, space storage of some of the plant, machinery and equipment, parking for HGVs (Heavy Goods Vehicles) and enough space for these to manoeuvre around the compound area.
Our Redbridge site is in the dense urban environment so identifying a suitable location for the compound, has proved challenging. Our Land and Planning teams carried out thorough investigations and originally found Redbridge Lane West Allotments to be the most suitable location that allows direct access to our site.
Minimal Impact Strategy
As a result of valuable feedback received by Redbridge Lane West allotment holders, along with direction from Redbridge Council, we have produced a Minimal Impact Strategy.
To devise this strategy, we looked at four areas in Redbridge, to review suitability for our necessary compound, including; Royston Gardens, the nearby Thames Water Site, Wanstead Golf Course and Wanstead Park Allotments.
We also liaised with key groups alongside Redbridge Council, including Transport for London and Environmental Consultants. We conducted surveys, including ecological, environmental and energy assessments, and reviewed further opportunities for mitigation.
Our updated plan is significantly different from our initial plans taking into account allotment holder’s needs. The strategy includes a redesign of the area at Redbridge Lane West to use the least amount of space we can whilst allowing for direct access, and we made the decision to locate our main compound at Wanstead Park.
Proposed Wanstead Park compound
The main compound will house the project office and welfare facilities, as well as allowing us to provide a park and ride facility for our employees to get to and from the construction site at Redbridge Lane West. This compound will provide sufficient space to store the bulk of construction equipment as well as for parking and manoeuvring of HGVs.
Redbridge Lane West Allotment compound
We have reduced the size of the proposed compound at Redbridge Lane West Allotments as much as possible. This compound will only be used for minimum welfare facilities required by law and for some storage of plant, machinery, and construction equipment. The proposed area will allow a safe turning space for deliveries and direct access to the construction area.
Area required for the project work
We have redesigned the area to use the least amount of space possible and have been able to reduce the size of the initial proposed compound set up at Redbridge Lane West Allotments. We will only need to use 9 allotments.
This compound will only be used for:
- To provide safe access to the construction area (One way system)
- Minimal welfare facilities required by law
- Storage of necessary machinery and construction equipment
- Safe turning space for deliveries
How the work will impact your allotment
Redbridge Lane West Allotments
The disruption of our works to individual allotment holders will vary according to their plot’s location; we have arranged these plots into various groups according to the level of impact.
The allotment holders whose plots are situated in the area of our proposed compound will be asked to temporarily vacate their plots while the works are carried out – these plots are marked as orange and pink on the above map. There are some points for the allotment holders occupying the plots outlined in orange or pink to consider:
For some, on your return we may need to adjust plot boundaries to ensure that we allow enough space to fulfil the minimum safety clearance requirements to the new fence. We have tried our hardest to minimise the number of plots whose boundary may be affected, and have managed to bring the number of affected plots down to five, these are shown on the above map in orange.
For those being asked to temporarily vacate their plot, we want to work closely with you to come up with a strategy that works best for all involved. We will offer an array of possibilities: from moving to an alternative plot temporarily or permanently to requesting a two-year holiday from the allotment. If allotment holders would like to work with us to come up with a plan which works best for them, we will be conducting one to one sessions to discuss next steps.
We are pleased that the remainder of the allotment holders will be able to stay at their plots throughout construction. Some allotment holders may be affected by, for instance, by being closest to the construction zone hoarding that will be in place to screen our work. These are indicated in purple on the Redbridge Lane West allotment map. We are pleased that the plots indicated in green will not be affected directly by the works.
We know that those allotment holders who will be able to carry on using their plot during the work will still be able to see and hear the works taking place; we strive to be a considerate neighbour at all times and will share our plans on how we will reduce this impact during construction post Detailed Design, which is being undertaken now. We also welcome any ideas allotment holders may have for how we can make the construction time a more pleasant experience.
Our main project compound will be in Wanstead Park, behind Wanstead Park Road Allotments and screened by the tree line.
As a result feedback received we have identified an alternative location for our main compound set up. The proposed area is just behind Wanstead Park Allotments behind a screen of trees. We will be liaising with the allotment holders who are located near the proposed compound (on 08/12/2021).
This compound will be used for:
- Main project office
- Welfare facilities
- Store equipment needed for construction
- Park and ride to the construction site
- Storage of HGVs and plant
Close up of main compound site
Wanstead Park
There will be no direct impact on the allotments at Wanstead Park Road Allotments as our compound will be located behind the allotments and screen of trees. We want to be a considerate neighbour, therefore we will actively minimise disruption during our time at this location.
We need to make improvements to the existing access road in order to make it safe and practicable for the duration of our works. Making it into a more robust road will allow our vehicles to transport equipment safely. We expect this road to be temporary and our vehicles to be governed by speed restrictions.
We are aware of the presence of beehives on the Wanstead Park Road Allotments. We know the important role that bees play in pollinating plants and how beneficial they can be to allotments, so we are working with the owners and Redbridge Council to ensure their proper safekeeping.
We are committed to benefitting the community we are affecting during these works in the long term. Therefore, we will carry out improvements to the allotment facilities, such as installing a new toilet facility and provide a new communal water supply.
Timeline
We will be continuing to engage with local stakeholders regularly as we develop and refine our designs and plans throughout all stages of the project lifecycle, to ensure that we can minimise our impact and make the project work best for the local community.
We have driven this project timeline, in consultation and agreement with The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem), to complete the works at this site, during the regulatory period 2021-2025, as part of a wider business strategy to secure our customers future energy demands.
Documents
You can find out more about our works by downloading the leaflet below. Feedback forms for the respective groups can also be found below – please submit any feedback to us by the
22 December 2021. You can submit these to redbridgeagi@communityrelations.co.uk or by sending them to FREEPOST COMMUNITY RELATIONS TEAM.
Leaflet
Feedback forms - Redbridge Lane West (orange and pink)
Feedback forms – Redbridge Lane West (purple and green)
Feedback forms - Wanstead Park Road Allotments
Contact us
If you have any questions, we have a dedicated community relations team who can be contacted on
redbridgeagi@communityrelations.co.uk or 0800 0687925 on weekdays between 9am-5:30pm.