Sustainable solutions at Sandford site
In a first for National Grid, and following successful trials by contractors Balfour Beatty, the Hinkley Connection Project has used Sureground for the hard standing and a section of the haul road at its construction compound in Sandford.
Traditionally, these temporary surfaces are built using rock and stone, with tonnes of aggregate imported onto the site from local sources. Sureground (a material formerly known as Geobind) is a more sustainable alternative.
Sureground solution is mixed on site with existing sub soil and compacted, creating a thermal reaction which binds to itself. This creates bonds within and hardening the soil to make the road surface. It’s a more sustainable solution as it means fewer lorry movements, a reduction in vehicle-related emissions and a reduction in the quantity of primary aggregate transported onto site from other locations.
Now that this method of stabilisation has been tested, trialled and used in earnest on the Hinkley Connection Project, National Grid is hopeful that more sustainable alternatives like Geobind can be used more extensively on future projects.
“At National Grid we continually strive to find better ways of doing things. Part of this is developing world-class engineering solutions and harnessing the latest innovations to deliver the best results for our customers, the local community and the environment,” says Matt King, SHESQ Manager for National Grid.
