Remediation work to start soon at Briars Lane

Work to stabilise the ground in Briars Lane, Hatfield following the discovery of chalk mines is due to start in the next couple of weeks.

At a meeting on Monday 9 July at Roe Hill Hall, local residents met Ritchies the appointed contractor who will be carrying out the remediation work.

Bob Jewell, Chief Resources Officer for Welwyn Hatfield Council who introduced the meeting expressed his delight that the work is soon to start: “This work is important and will mark an end to residents suffering over the past three to four years. It will remove any blight to the homes and will mean that residents can now look to the future.”

Treatment of the chalk mines will occur from the surface with the injection of grout into the mines via temporary bore holes. This will take place over a phased basis and take six months to complete. At the meeting, assurances were given that:

• the road would be open at all times for pedestrians and vehicle access,
• that noise, vibrations and dust would be kept to a minimum,
• that gardens would be reinstated and photographic evidence would be taken before work commenced,
• a 24-hour contact number would be available for emergencies,
• a weekly newsletter will be sent out of the programmed work expected in the week ahead, so that everyone is kept informed,
• security of the plant/storage area would be provided 24 hours, 7 days a week, and
  all staff would be identifiable by their badge.

The work will result in evacuation of certain properties and the residents in question have been informed. At another meeting on Tuesday 10 July, Welwyn Hatfield Council’s Cabinet agreed to help the owners of the properties with moving costs if they are unable to obtain funding from their insurers.

Councillor Alan Franey, Executive Member for Resources said: “We have no obligation to help with moving costs and with temporary accommodation but we want to help residents through this difficult time. At our Cabinet meeting we agreed a budget of equal proportions for each owner, if required.”

In total the remediation work will cost £2.6million which will be paid by English Partnerships, the authority responsible for the National Land Stabilisation Programme. It is expected to be finished by January 2008.

Further information on the Briars Lane public meeting is available on this website.