Bayer plant in Widnes almost gone

Bayer Cropscience's 40 acre plant at Widnes, UK, has now entered the final decommissioning stage. Production at the Gorsey Lane site finally ceased in April 2009 as part of a major restructuing programme and contractor EDS has entered the dismantling phase on the Ethofumesate (EF) plant following extemsive decontamination work.

To help ensure all aspects of the demolition - scope definition, contractor selection and interface management under CDM - were of the highest standard, Bayer engaged specialist engineering consultants and construction design management (CDM) co-ordinators RVA Group.

The EF plant consists of a range of structures, from simple brick-built administration buildings, effluent treatment plants, labs and workshops. EDS will use a range of equipment, including 30-35 m (99 -115 ft) high reach demolition exavators, during the demolition works.

However, as part of the works programme, RVA has required that EDS devise detailed method statements for the retrieval of process plant pressure vessels up to 10 tonnes in weight. This high-value equiipment must be salvaged without damage for reuse at another Bayer facility in Norwich, UK.

In fact, demolition work on the site began in April 2008 with the decommissioning of the Prochloraz plant. CDM consultant RVA was brought in by Bayer to oversee the decommissioning work, with the EF plant continuing production while the demoltion of the PZ plant went ahead.

The site has been acquired by Halton Borough Council and will form a part of the wider regeneration of the Widnes Waterfront.