Clydebank rebuilt won Best recovery of land at the BB Remediation Innovation Awards for heritage/community use for regeneration of Queens Quay.
The Queens Quay site in Clydebank is owned by urban regeneration company Clydebank re-built Ltd (CR). Part of a larger, private sector-owned site, it was the location of the John Brown's shipyard where great liners like the Queen Mary and QE2 were built, along with many Navy ships, were built.
It was this that caused Clydebank to suffer devastating bombing in 1941, with the only structure left intact the 150ft cantilever crane, The Titan, used to lift into place the boilers, engines and battlements of the ships.
The closure of the shipyard in 1999 was an economic and psychological disaster for the town, and the local council with other partners came together to form CR. The yard was sold to a private development consortium which passed the most historic parts on to CR - a 8ha area which included the site of the slipways from which the ships were launched and The Titan.
A masterplan developed by Page and Park Architects of Glasgow was adopted by West Dunbartonshire Council as supplementary planning guidance. This identified sites for an Enterprise and Learning District, which CR would develop on the slipway site, and it is this area that is the subject of this award.
A key focal point was the opening up to the public of The Titan as a heritage attraction, as well as the opening up of the Clyde riverside and the views across to the greenbelt on the south bank. For decades, the river has been closed off to the local people.
Remediation and site preparation
Site investigations revealed no significant contamination. The main issues were the removal of below-ground concrete structures, which had formed the bases of cranes; the safe removal of enormous wooden slipways which had been creosoted; import of materials to raise the platform level to meet 1:200 year flood risk; the capping (within the development process) of heavy metal and hydrocarbon contamination; and the requirement to build new quay walls across the riverside.
A remediation strategy was formulated by URS and agreed with WDC and works undertaken in late 2005 in preparation for the building of the quay walls and the provision of services, roads and pathways. Munitions and archeological surveys were also carried out.
Quality design and adaptive reuse
The building plot layout was developed to reflect two historic factors and a third theme that would be a catalyst for regeneration: first, the green space was designed to reflect the line of the slipways and the balustrading at the water's edge has lookout platforms from which to view the wooden slipways.
Second, The Titan was restored for public access; and third, platforms were provided for the new Clydebank College campus and the enterprise park. Recycled materials were used to provide walkways, cycle ways and seating areas - cobbles were lifted, cleaned and relaid along the line of the slipways.
It is hoped that by the creation of a unique and special place the town will once again become a competitive location. The Titan can be seen from all areas on the riverside and has become the iconic representation of the town's regeneration. It brings thousands of people to Clydebank, who can access the 150ft-high jib via a new lift. There they can enjoy an exhibition of the Crane's history as well as spectacular views.
"A great project which created a major new environment" Stephan Jefferis
