Published: 23 May 2024
Why are there granite block stored at Riverside Gardens?
The granite blocks in Riverside Gardens come from London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. A section of granite blocks forming part of the flood defence wall were removed Sewage Treatment Works. The project is anticipated to start coming on line to make way to develop the Tideway works along Chelsea Embankment. The project is part of a wider scheme to repurpose construction materials at other riverside locations to preserve their historical significance and give them a new lease of life.
The granite pieces will be positioned in Riverside Gardens to create additional seating and informal play opportunities which complement the scheme’s new layout and features.
About the Tideway Project
The Tideway project will prevent millions of tonnes of untreated sewage being discharged into the River Thames each year during periods of rainfall. The project comprises the construction of a new tunnel from Acton in West London, to Abbey Mills near Stratford in East London. Intercepted flows Mill be conveyed through the new tunnel for ultimate treatment at Beckton
in summer 2024 and be fully operational in 2025. The Chelsea Embankment Foreshore site is key to this solution, as it intercepts the Ranelagh Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) which is located beneath the River Thames Embankment. In a typical year, this sewer alone
is responsible for discharging approximately 283,000 tonnes of untreated sewage into the river.
In addition, the works at Chelsea Embankment, together with the sister sites at Victoria Embankment and Blackfriars Foreshore, provide additional capacity for the Victorian Low Level 1 sewer and hence reduce the volume of untreated sewage from an additional 10 CSOs located along the Embankment by approximately 2,138,000 tonnes in a typical year.
How will the blocks be repurposed in the Gardens?
With the help of Erect Architecture and Ground Control the granite blocks will be positioned at different locations in the Gardens to create informal seating, play features and steps. The granite blocks will be cleaned and made safe. Their original character and appearance will be retained. The blocks will be positioned and secured safely under the guidance of engineers.
