Royal Haskoning’s involvement started with an option appraisal study for the developer, ING Real Estate Development UK Ltd, to identify the optimum scheme to carry the project forward to the outline design and planning submission. The study involved extensive site investigations into the challenging geotechnical and geo-environmental conditions at the site, and included assessment of the sedimentation regime and the potential contamination levels of the different dredging options that were being proposed. Liaison with the statutory regulatory bodies at this stage was crucial and continued throughout the detailed design phase.

As project manager, we brought in specialist geotechnical, architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical engineering, and coastal modelling expertise from across the Royal Haskoning group to support our core engineering and environment teams based in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The planning submission was recommended for approval during 2006, but with conditions attached that were adopted within 
 the scheme as it progressed.

The next stage, the detailed design phase, includes the construction of a new harbour closure wall and lock at the harbour entrance, repairs to the existing walls, dredging and lining of the harbour bed, and the provision of marina infrastructure. As part of the harbour regeneration Royal Haskoning were also responsible for the planning and design of a rail level crossing to give vehicle and pedestrian access to the harbour basins.

The main feature envisaged for this phase of the project was an innovative lift bridge acting as an iconic landmark structure within the new development. The form of the bridge, which was conceived by a principal bridge architect from our Amsterdam office, is essentially a double bascule bridge with high level counterbalance beams with a triangular split superstructure. The towers and beams echo the shape of the quayside cranes that were operational in ports in the area during the last century.

The Harbour regeneration project has presented us with a wide range of challenges, such as overcoming difficult ground conditions and developing mitigation measures to offset the environmental impact of the proposals, but they have been met successfully by drawing on the skills of our own people across the group to create a truly international, multi-disciplinary team.

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