The next significant step in securing the future of the Combe Down Stone Mines has been taken.

Engineering firm Parsons Brinckerhoff has been appointed by Bath & North East Somerset to review and select the best option for stabilising the Combe Down Stone Mines.

The company won the contract in open competition to undertake the first phase of the multi million programme, which is one the biggest of its kind in the country.

The object is to stabilise and secure a site affected by 18^th and 19^th century mines from which was extracted over one million tons of stone used in the construction of Georgian Bath.

Parsons Brinckerhoff is one of the world’s leading engineering, design and construction companies.

The project will be led by Alec Jefferies, a Technical Director at Parsons Brinckerhoff, who lives in Bath. He said: "We are delighted to have won this fascinating project in our home region. Listening to, understanding and meeting the concerns of local residents will be our priority in undertaking this very sensitive project. We can draw on formidable specialist resources to tackle the technical aspects of the project. With 1,200 employees in the UK and over 9,000 worldwide, we have access to very significant experience and expertise in tackling sensitive design and engineering challenges."

The project is funded by resources won by B&NES in a bid to the Government’s Land Stabilisation Programme, which is administered by English Partnerships. The Combe Down scheme will be one of the biggest to be funded through the scheme.

Mary Sabina Stacey, B&NES Project Manager said: "We are pleased with the appointment of Parsons Brinckerhoff. The coming year will now involve high quality environmental and investigative studies. The community’s involvement throughout these studies will be vitally important".

Prof Geoff Hammond the Chair of the Combe Down Stone Mines Community Association added "The Association warmly welcomes the selection of Parsons Brinckerhoff as the B&NES Council's preferred bidder for the initial phase of the stone mines stabilisation project. They bring to the project broad international experience in remedial works, a background of innovation in research and development, and a willingness to involve the community and other stakeholders. The Community Association therefore looks forward to collaborating with the company and the B&NES Project Team as they seek appropriate solutions to a complex engineering problem that will require sensitive treatment of the environmental and other potential impacts".

A detailed consultation programme will be carried out during Phase 1 of the Project and it is expected that a planning application will be submitted for a stabilisation scheme next summer.

Parsons Brinckerhoff Ltd is part of the Parsons Brinckerhoff group – a leading international engineering and programme management firm, established in 1885, with its headquarters in New York and employing around 9,000 staff in over 250 offices worldwide. The company is ranked as one of the top 10 global consultancies, offering a truly multi-disciplinary service in transportation, buildings, power and telecommunications. Since its formation, the company has played a major role in some of the most prestigious projects in the world.

A wide of photos are available digitally if needed. Please contact Rachel Thomas on 01225 477200

For further info

Rachel Thomas, Project Officer, Tel: (01225) 477200.