The site was located adjacent to the town’s existing bus station, which was not involved in this stage of the demolition process and remained open throughout the demolition works. This was made possible by a detailed traffic management plan that we put in place together with the main contractor.

After completing all the pre-commencement planning and putting up hoardings around the site, the asbestos removal teams got to work removing both licensed and unlicensed materials from the properties. Once the properties were clean and clear, a comprehensive strip-out programme began, and all materials were removed to the service yards at the rear of the shops. Due to limited access at the back of the site leading to the bus station, we had to handle these logistics with great care.

We collaborated with Smiths of Derby, a clockmaker with a speciality in the field since 1856, to dismantle the renowned clock located at one end of the site. The clock tower was fully encapsulated prior to the removal of the five bells and four delicate clock faces. These bells and faces were cautiously taken down and lowered to the ground before being transported to a local heritage centre for safekeeping. The tower was demolished manually since its design and stability did not permit mechanical demolition.

The site comprised structures of varying size and construction, ranging between two to seven storeys. Our team confidently employed diverse demolition techniques based on the nature of the structure and its location. We expertly executed methods such as hand demolition and high-reach, systematically working through the buildings.

The former Wetherspoons pub and clock tower were the last structures to be demolished. As these buildings were situated close to the hoardings, we closed the footpath and road during this phase of the work to ensure public safety.

Once the buildings were demolished, we crushed any masonry on-site to 6F2 specification, and then did a full site-wide dig to 2 meters below the surface to remove any obstructions. We also crushed all the arising concrete material to a type 1 specification and laid it back to meet the formation levels required by the client. This also helped to reduce vehicle movements in the city and divert waste away from landfill.

During the course of the project, we were subject to bi-weekly health and safety audits conducted by the main contractor’s team. Our advanced noise and dust monitoring, coupled with our mitigation measures, were a standout feature during these audits, impressing the team with our commitment to minimising the impact of our works.

We were proud to put our name to this project and assist with bringing the scheme a step closer to realising its great potential.

The regeneration scheme aims to attract visitors to Crewe Town Centre by offering a mix of leisure and retail activities suitable for all ages.