These works culminated in the removal of approximately 140,000 tons of cofferdam backfill, the extraction of approximately 3,000 tonnes of sheet piles, the cutting and removal of approximately 180no. 600-750 mm diameter CFA piles, including piles cut within the tidal or underwater working zone and c.7,500 m2 of foreshore reinstatement.
As a regenerative contractor, we worked with CVB and the consenting authorities to recycle and reuse most of the materials removed during the project, including sheet piles, CFA piles and backfill material.
Stone recovered from the original cofferdam was processed at our specialist recycling facility at Rainham Marshes, where we screened, washed, and graded it for reuse. We then used the recycled material to restore the foreshore, helping protect the riverbed from scour while creating valuable spawning habitat for marine life. This approach reduced waste, minimised disposal and left a lasting environmental benefit for the River Thames.
The objective of this project was not simply demolition and removal, but to carefully reinstate a functioning tidal habitat while ensuring the riverbank’s long-term resilience.
As our industry increasingly focuses on nature-positive outcomes, projects like this demonstrate how engineering can support both critical infrastructure and environmental recovery. The goal was to leave the foreshore in a condition that protects the asset, supports the river environment, and allows the Thames to continue functioning as one of London’s most important natural and commercial resources.
Success on the project relied on close collaboration with Thames Tideway, CVB, and the key consenting authorities, including the Port of London Authority (PLA), Environment Agency and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). Through constructive and proactive engagement, the project team successfully navigated the challenges of working within the unique operational constraints of the tidal Thames.
Images courtesy of CVB
