Geotechnical Desk Study - Islington Council

Geotechnical Desk Study
3. Site Conditions
3.1 Site Description
The site is elongated, irregular in shape and generally flat. The site is bounded on the northern
side by Nos. 1 to 8 Whistler Street, on the eastern side by Nos. 1a to 31 Battledean Road, on the
southern side by Ronalds Road and on the western side by a railway cutting. The site is narrower
in the central area where there is a constriction formed by the top of the railway cutting and the
properties along Battledean Road.
The Highbury Roundhouse Youth and Community Centre is located at the northern end of the site
backing onto the properties of Nos. 1 to 8 Whistler Street. Another property, No. 71 Ronalds
Road, is owned by Highbury Roundhouse and is located at the entrance to the site. The site also
includes an area above and immediately to the west of the railway tunnel at the southern end of
the site, the ownership of which is currently uncertain. The majority of the remainder of the site is
covered with tarmac.
On the western side of the railway cutting, the cutting slopes are used for allotments. On the
eastern side of the cutting, the cutting slopes are used as a recreational area (woodland walk) and
to the north by a gardening group.
3.2 Topography
As stated above the site is generally flat. Bench marks near the entrance to the site indicate the
ground level to be around 41mOD. The ground falls away on the western side of the site as a
result of the slope to the railway cutting. The ground rises away from the eastern side of the site
towards Highbury Fields. A retaining wall forms the boundary on the eastern side of the site which
retains the gardens of Nos. 1 to 31 Battledean Road with a retained height of around 2m.
3.3 Site Boundaries
Atkins has made initial enquiries with Network Rail (York office) in relation to the outstanding issue
of land boundaries/ownership, particularly with regard to the area of land above the CE of
Canonbury Tunnel. It is believed that NR have existing access rights over the D/S cutting slope,
particularly adjacent to the CE tunnel portal and LE elevation of Drayton Park Bridge (at the North
end of the site), for the purposes of undertaking structure examinations and maintenance works.
3.4 Underground Services
Atkins has made preliminary enquires to key statutory service providers which may have
plant/apparatus located within the site. Details of these statutory providers are summarised in
Table 3.1
Statutory Undertakers
EDF Energy
BT
Environment Agency
Network Rail
Transco
Virgin Media
Thames Water
Apparatus Located within Site Area
Yes – substation located with premises of
No. 71 Ronalds Road
Yes
No
Unknown – on-going discussions with NR
York Office
No
No
No*
5044006/002 Geotechnical Desk Study (2).doc 9