Chelsea Embankment Foreshore
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Site information paper information Site Chelsea Embankment Foreshore Introduction Currently, untreated sewage regularly overflows into the River Thames from London’s Victorian sewerage system via combined sewer overflows (CSOs). The proposed Thames Tunnel would intercept these overflows through the use of a new storage and transfer tunnel, which would link west London and Abbey Mills Pumping Station. The sewage flow would then be transferred to Beckton Sewage Treatment Works via the Lee Tunnel. The reduction in untreated sewage entering the River Thames would bring long-term benefits for the environment and users of the River Thames. In order to deliver the project we need a number of sites along the route and this document identifies our current preferred sites at Chelsea Embankment Foreshore. Key facts Local authority: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea CSO name: Ranelagh CSO spill volume in an average year: 280,000m³ (equivalent to approximately 112 Olympic swimming pools) Site type: CSO site Duration of main construction works: Approximately four years. Thames Tunnel 1 Chelsea Embankment Foreshore Section 1: Introduction and site information We are proposing to use the foreshore of the River The two construction sites required for the works at Thames, opposite the Bull Ring Gates of the Royal Chelsea Embankment Foreshore are shown in Figure Hospital Chelsea, a section of Chelsea Embankment 1A. The main site is located in the foreshore of the River (A3212) and part of the grounds of the Royal Thames, with part of the site extending north onto the Hospital Chelsea for this construction work and to Chelsea Embankment (A3212), along which the Thames accommodate permanent structures required to Path is located and the south eastern part of the operate the main tunnel. grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. The site is also within the Thames Conservation Area. To the east of the The sites would be used to intercept the existing local main site is Chelsea Bridge. Ranelagh Gardens and the CSO, known as the Ranelagh CSO and to construct a Royal Hospital Chelsea, (together a Grade II registered connection to the northern Low Level Sewer No.1 to park and garden), lie to the north of the main site, divert flows to the main tunnel. separated from it by Chelsea Embankment (A3212). These works, along with our works at Blackfriars Bridge The smaller site, which is required to connect the Foreshore and Victoria Embankment Foreshore mean northern Low Level Sewer No.1 to the main tunnel, is that we do not need additional sites to intercept the located within the eastbound carriageway and footpath following CSOs along the northern embankment: of the Chelsea Embankment (A3212) and the southern Smith Street, Queen Street, Church Street, Grosvenor part of Ranelagh Gardens. Ditch, Kings Scholars Pond, Western Pumping Station, Northumberland Street, Savoy Street, Norfolk Street This site information paper sets out our proposals at and Essex Street. Chelsea Embankment Foreshore. We have also produced project information papers, which cover overarching topics relating to the project. Where we consider that a project information paper is particularly relevant, we Related documents: have highlighted this in a related documents box. At the end of this site information paper is a list of other documents, which may be of interest and a glossary Build of terms. 2 Introduction Draft limit of land to be Chelsea Bridge Road acquired or used Proposed tunnel route – centreline Local authority boundary KENSINGTON & Ranelagh Existing sewer CHELSEA Gardens Existing CSO Royal Hospital Chelsea (South Grounds) Tite Street CITY OF WESTMINSTER Chelsea Embankment Chelsea Grosvenor Bridge Bridge Ranelagh CSO Low Level Sewer No.1 WANDSWORTH N Figure 1A: Chelsea Embankment Foreshore location plan 3 Chelsea Embankment Foreshore How we chose this site What we proposed at phase one consultation At phase on consultation, which was held between Discussions have also been held with English Heritage, September 2010 and January 2011, we presented who raised issues about the effect of the permanent Chelsea Embankment Foreshore (west of Chelsea Bridge) structures on views of the river wall along the River as our preferred site to intercept the Ranelagh CSO and to Thames. As a result we have re-assessed sites inland and connect the northern Low Level Sewer No.1 to the main concluded that Ranelagh Gardens could potentially meet tunnel. Due to the constrained nature of the area, no our requirements. other suitable sites were identified. What we are proposing at phase two consultation Why we have amended our proposals We have identified three shortlisted sites to intercept the Since January 2011 we have considered the comments CSO, as shown on Figure 1B. The sites are: from phase one consultation, feedback from ongoing engagement and new information; and undertaken • Chelsea Embankment Foreshore further technical work. This has resulted in us re-assessing (west of Chelsea Bridge) (site 1) potential sites to intercept the Ranelagh CSO and to • Ranelagh Gardens (site 2) connect the northern Low Level Sewer No.1 to the main tunnel. • Chelsea Embankment Foreshore (opposite to Bull Ring Gate) (our preferred site). Our findings have confirmed that the best location to connect to the northern Low Level Sewer No.1 to the main tunnel is within the existing eastbound carriageway of Chelsea Embankment (A3212). Engagement with Crossrail has revealed that a smaller site located within the safeguarded zone for Crossrail 2 would be acceptable. Therefore, Chelsea Embankment Foreshore (opposite to Bull Ring Gate) is a possible site. 4 Introduction Preferred site – Chelsea Embankment Foreshore (opposite Bull Ring Gate) Other shortlisted Chelsea Bridge Road site locations Local authority boundary KENSINGTON & CHELSEA Ranelagh Gardens CITY OF Royal Hospital WESTMINSTER Chelsea (South Grounds) Site 2 Site 1 Chelsea Embankment WANDSWORTH N Figure 1B: Preferred and shortlisted sites 5 Chelsea Embankment Foreshore Chelsea Embankment Foreshore (opposite to Bull Ring Gate) is our preferred site to intercept the Ranelagh CSO. The site would have less effect on the foreshore of Related documents: the River Thames because it is only necessary to build one structure. There is also likely to be less effect on local Q&A Consultation residential areas. The location of the site also offers the opportunity to create a new area of public space that complements the setting of the historic environment and Site selection views along the River Thames. The northern Low Level Sewer No.1 connection would be constructed within the existing eastbound carriageway of Chelsea Embankment (A3212). These works would be in the same location for each of the shortlisted sites. Site 1 – Chelsea Embankment Foreshore (west of Chelsea Bridge) is a shortlisted site. We consider this site to be less suitable than our preferred site because it requires two structures to be built within the foreshore of the River Thames to accommodate the drop shaft and interception chamber. This would require a larger working area, and the permanent structures would have a greater effect on the historic environment, foreshore and views along the River Thames. Site 2 – Ranelagh Gardens is a shortlisted site that is considered to be less suitable than our preferred site because it is closer to the Lister Hospital and residential areas; it would result in a loss of open space, disrupt visitors to Ranelagh Gardens and would potentially affect events such as the Chelsea Flower Show. Whilst the permanent works would be less visible within the Gardens than in our preferred foreshore site, we do not consider that this benefit outweighs the issues set out above. 6 Construction Section 2: Construction Construction activities Construction activities are required to intercept the CSO and short connection tunnel to the main tunnel. Figure and to link the northern Low Level Sewer No.1 to the main 2A illustrates the below ground infrastructure proposed. tunnel. We would construct an interception chamber to As the construction works would take place within the intercept the CSO. A connection culvert would link the foreshore of the River Thames, a permanent structure interception chamber to a drop shaft (approximately extending into the foreshore is required. These activities 45m deep) through which flows would pass down to a would take place within the area indicated by the red line short connection tunnel. This would then join to the main in Figure 1A, in five main phases, lasting approximately tunnel. We would also construct an overflow weir chamber four years in total. The main construction activities which would allow flows to be transferred from the associated with these phases are set out in Table 2.1. northern Low Level Sewer No.1 down the same drop shaft Existing Low Level Sewer No.1 Existing overflow sewer Construction Construction Overflow weir chamber Drop shaft Valve chamber Short connection tunnel Existing Interception overflow to chamber River Thames Main tunnel Figure 2A: Illustration showing typical elements of below ground infrastructure 7 Chelsea Embankment Foreshore Phase 1 Site setup Advance works Table 2.1: Main activities during construction phases Figure reference – Figure 2C Typical working hours Varies Standard Utilities connected ü Utilities diverted or protected ü Site cleared ü Temporary works in the River Thames constructed ü Site facilities and access set up ü Drop shaft excavated and built Short connection tunnel excavated and built