Strategy Overview: Mechanical excavation and off site removal to licenced landfill
In May 2024, we were proud to be involved on a fantastic new scheme in the Northwest at Haigh Hall Woodland Park in Wigan. The site has recently been awarded funding to restore its impressive Grade II listed hall and surrounding parkland areas to their former glory.
As part of the Phase I wider site improvements, Japanese Knotweed Solutions Ltd were appointed to undertake Japanese knotweed excavation and removal from site to create a clean working area for development of the hall, surrounding car parking and the neighbouring golf club. The programme of works was created specifically for the site’s needs both immediate and long-term.
These enabling works took place over a month and included surveying and plotting of the historic Japanese knotweed areas, then mobilising to site for the works.
What We Did
The works were planned meticulously with detailed Risk Assessments, Method Statements, and pre-start walkovers with our senior site foreman. We had input from the site’s brilliant head of horticulture Dr Sylvia Travers, tree officer, restoration project manager and the site’s grounds maintenance teams.
We installed track-matting along the haul root to protect the delicate tree roots below and carefully brought our plant machinery and equipment onto the site. We set up a welfare station and traffic management plan throughout the busy site as not to disturb the members of the golf club and the public who enjoy visiting Haigh Hall all year round.
Working closely with the groundworkers on site, hall restoration contractors and our client, we then excavated the Japanese knotweed areas and disposed of them off-site at a licensed landfill facility.
A tricky dig, working within areas of old Victorian services – they don’t make them like they used to! We uncovered some fantastic structures.
The site was left in a condition whereby the client can get on with their works with peace of mind that the Japanese knotweed problem is in our hands.
It has been a fantastic project to work on, and we can’t wait to see what it made of the wider site.
Haigh Hall sits in the largest ancient woodland in Greater Manchester. It’s a beautiful site, and we would really recommend a visit. We will certainly be back!
