The site had a varied history - from being a schoolyard to a series of local shops and houses. During the latter part of the eighteenth century the site was occupied by the Middleton Railway Company and, during regeneration of the site, extensive archaeological work was carried out (sponsored by National Grid Property) to ensure none of Leeds' railway history was lost. From the early nineteenth century the site became an ever increasing gas production facility and, when operations finally ceased in the mid 1970s, the plant covered nearly two-thirds of the entire site.
The area was divided into regular 25m x 25m sectors and boreholes and trial pits up to 4m deep were used to probe each sector. Some 4,000 chemical tests were carried out on more than 150 samples of soil and water. Some contaminated soil proved suitable for biological treatment on site to reduce its hydrocarbon content. This method facilitates the degradation of tarry compounds into carbon dioxide and water. Only a proportion of contaminated soil was suitable for treatment on site in this way and the remainder was removed to licensed landfill sites for secure disposal.
A quality control regime was established and maintained to ensure high standards. Movement of excavated soil, stockpiles and removal of soil off-site all required regular testing.
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