Historical Context and UXO Risk

The southeast of England has a long history of military activity and was heavily targeted during World War II due to its strategic importance. This resulted in widespread UXO contamination from both German air raids, which dropped thousands of bombs across the region, and extensive wartime defences and training activities conducted by Allied forces.

While we did not identify any items of ordnance at the Tilbury site, our work ensured the area was safe for ground-intrusive works. The importance of UXO risk mitigation was reinforced just months later when a nearby site was temporarily closed following the discovery of a 250kg German air-dropped bomb. This incident underscored the value of proactive UXO surveys in high-risk areas.

Intrusive UXO Survey

Deploying our three CPT Rigs

To meet the demands of this large-scale project, we deployed all three of our CPT (Cone Penetration Testing) rigs – Red Fox, Handsome, and Honey Badger. This allowed us to operate at maximum efficiency, ensuring all 1,639 designated survey positions were successfully accessed and assessed within the client’s timeframe.

Intrusive survey methodology

Each survey position was carefully examined to identify any buried ferrous objects ahead of the client’s ground-intrusive works. The data collected was then processed by our in-house geophysics team, undergoing multiple stages of refinement to reduce noise and enhance accuracy. Advanced computer modelling compared the measured signals against a database of known UXO signatures, allowing for precise estimations of depth, mass, and location of any anomalies.

Key findings:

• All 1,639 survey positions were successfully accessed and surveyed.
• No anomalous signatures indicative of potential UXO were identified.
• No further UXO risk mitigation was required, and ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable) low-risk status was granted for all surveyed piling locations.

Project Success and Client Collaboration

Adam Tanner, Brimstone UXO Commercial Manager, highlighted the success of the project:

“The Tilbury Energy Recovery Facility was a major success for Brimstone and there were a number of reasons for this. Client liaison during the tender process and pre-deployment ensured that all parties agreed on the scope of works and finances were signed off. This communication continued throughout the deployment, with internal management and our site team maintaining regular contact with the client and the appointed principal contractor for the site. Delivery of the intrusive UXO survey would not be possible without industry leading rigs and the very best operators in the business. A special mention goes out to Ian and Phil for their hard work and dedication throughout the scheme.”

Upon project completion, our client said:

“Thank you for all of Brimstone’s hard work, both through the delivery phase and before. We know the contract didn’t have the smoothest of starts with multiple delays and changes in scope, but you have been accommodating throughout. We’d also like to say a huge thank you to Phil and Ian who knocked out the work. We are amazed that out of the 1,639 survey points not once did they coincide with any of the 701 existing piles! From our perspective, Brimstone have been a pleasure to work with.”

Leading Intrusive UXO Surveys

Brimstone UXO’s comprehensive intrusive UXO survey at the Tilbury Energy Recovery Facility demonstrated our ability to manage large-scale projects with precision, efficiency, and collaboration. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and maintaining close communication with our client, we ensured the project was delivered safely, on time, and within budget.

For more information on our UXO services or to schedule an intrusive UXO survey on your site, please contact our Commercial Team.