Van Elle’s deepest continuous flight auger piles at Bow Green demonstrate advanced foundation solutions for complex London projects.
Van Elle’s Rock & Alluvium division has completed the installation of continuous flight auger (CFA) piles up to 40 metres deep at Berkeley Group’s Bow Green development in London. This marks the deepest CFA piling operation undertaken by Van Elle and is among the deepest in the UK. Over a nine-week period, 594 piles ranging from 400mm to 750mm in diameter were installed using specialist rigs, including the Llamada P240 and Soilmec SR-45, complemented by a Klemm 709 for areas with restricted access. This approach ensured efficient installation despite the site’s challenging conditions.
The Bow Green site is uniquely constrained, situated between active railway lines, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, and Bow Common Lane. These factors require meticulous logistical planning and technical precision to mitigate risks associated with proximity to live rail infrastructure and residential neighbourhoods. The foundation work supports four residential blocks, including social housing, as part of a wider regeneration delivering up to 1,764 homes across buildings up to 19 storeys high, alongside significant landscaped green space on a former gas works site.
From a construction management perspective, this project underscores the importance of advanced piling techniques and specialist equipment to meet the demands of urban developments within Greater London. Careful coordination with stakeholders and adherence to stringent safety protocols are essential to navigate complex site constraints. Effective management ensures that deep foundation solutions contribute to the structural integrity and longevity of high-density residential projects while respecting the surrounding environment.
Atico Solutions recognises that successful delivery of such technically demanding groundwork relies on comprehensive planning, robust risk management, and the integration of cutting-edge construction technologies. These elements are critical in facilitating smooth project progression in sensitive urban locations, ultimately supporting the regeneration and sustainable development objectives that are central to London and the Home Counties.
Source: The Construction Index
Led by Trevor Read and Dillan Gandhi, Atico Solutions is a high-end construction management and procurement company. Learn more here.