Briars Lane, Hatfield

Potted History

Following a number of subsidence events in and around Briars Lane, the council in 2003 approached a specialist consultant, Peter Brett Associates to investigate further. This identified a very high likelihood of chalk mining activity.

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council then appointed project engineers Mace to manage the process. They appointed further geotechnical expertise, coordinated the funding applications required and were the first port of call for local residents.

Ground investigations were then conducted in Briars Lane funded by English Partnerships costing £1.2million.

Mines were found and in late 2005, the project team (the councils and Mace) recommended to a small number of property owners and tenants to evacuate their properties; the road was closed to through traffic and Briars Lane School closed.

Remediation project

During 2006 funding was sought from English Partnership, the authority responsible for the Land Stabilisation Programme. Once £2.6million was agreed the project for remediation started. Actual work on-site started in July 2007.

The remediation is progressing well and is on target for the bulk infilling and compaction grouting to be completed by late December 2007. The contractors, Ritchies and consultants Mace and Hyder, have been working closely with residents to ensure that the impact of the works are minimised to their daily lives. Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council has been assisting residents needs as and when required, particularly to those most effected by the works.

Through the process, public meetings and regular contact has taken place with local residents. Available to view here are pass presentations and Questions and Answers: Briars Lane from those meetings.

Contact for local residents

Welwyn Hatfield Council's Contact Centre can offer help and advice - please contact us for more details. In addition, you can contact the project team managing the work who have a 24 hour helpline - 01992 515158.