Bath Fire Station

Weaver Demolition was appointed to deliver a comprehensive enabling works package at the former fire station, including asbestos removal, soft strip, demolition, remediation and full site clearance. Situated immediately adjacent to a live ambulance station, the project demanded meticulous planning, specialist expertise and close collaboration to ensure surrounding emergency service operations continued safely throughout the programme.

Project Overview

For many years, Bath Fire Station served the local community from its prominent city-centre location. As part of plans to deliver a new, purpose-built fire station capable of supporting the future needs of Avon Fire & Rescue Service, the existing buildings required careful demolition and site preparation ahead of redevelopment.

Weaver Demolition was appointed to undertake the complete enabling works package, providing a single-contractor solution that included:

• Licensed asbestos removal
• Internal soft strip
• Structural demolition
• Removal of all below-ground structures
• Environmental remediation
• Site clearance and preparation for redevelopment

Working within a constrained urban environment and immediately alongside a fully operational ambulance station, every stage of the project required careful planning to maintain safety, minimise disruption and protect neighbouring facilities.

Project Requirements

The project commenced with the safe removal of all identified asbestos-containing materials before a full internal soft strip of the buildings.

Given the close proximity of the neighbouring ambulance station, Weaver developed a carefully phased demolition methodology incorporating protective scaffolding, temporary works and weather protection. This enabled demolition activities to be undertaken safely while allowing emergency services to continue operating without interruption.

The former fire station buildings, including the distinctive drill tower, were then demolished in a controlled sequence before all ground slabs, foundations and the basement structure were removed.

As work progressed, additional asbestos-containing materials and previously unidentified underground fuel tanks were uncovered. Weaver responded quickly by implementing further specialist removal procedures, environmental controls and soil verification works, ensuring the programme remained compliant while maintaining progress on site.

Throughout the works, comprehensive dust suppression, together with continuous noise and vibration monitoring, helped minimise the impact on neighbouring buildings, emergency service operations and the surrounding community.

Environmental Impact

Sustainability formed a key part of Weaver Demolition’s approach throughout the project.

Suitable demolition arisings were processed on site to produce 6F2 recycled aggregate, which was reused for backfilling operations. By recycling materials on site, the project significantly reduced waste movements, minimised the need for imported aggregates and lowered the overall environmental impact of the works.

Wherever practical, valuable materials were retained for future use. Building stone from the original fire station was carefully salvaged for reuse.

Combined with robust environmental monitoring and responsible waste management, this approach ensured the project achieved high levels of material recovery while maintaining strict environmental compliance throughout.

Key Benefits to the Client

• Complete enabling works package delivered by a single experienced contractor.
• Safe demolition adjacent to a live ambulance station with no disruption to neighbouring emergency service operations.
• Experienced management of unforeseen asbestos discoveries and underground fuel tanks without compromising safety or programme.
• Comprehensive environmental monitoring to protect neighbouring buildings and the local community.
• Reduced waste and transport movements through on-site crushing and reuse of demolition materials.
• Salvage and retention of valuable building stone for future reuse.
• Fully remediated, construction-ready site delivered safely, efficiently and sustainably.

Project Summary

The successful demolition of Bath Fire Station demonstrates Weaver Demolition’s ability to deliver technically demanding enabling works within sensitive live environments.

Combining meticulous planning with specialist demolition expertise, the team safely completed a complex programme of asbestos removal, demolition, remediation and site clearance while maintaining the continuous operation of neighbouring emergency services.

By responding proactively to unforeseen challenges, maximising opportunities for material reuse and maintaining the highest standards of safety and environmental compliance throughout, Weaver delivered a fully remediated, construction-ready site that will support the next generation of emergency services in Bath.

The project is another example of Weaver Demolition’s expertise in delivering complex urban demolition projects where careful planning, collaboration and sustainable working are essential to successful project delivery.

Thank you to our client, supply chain partners and site team for their hard work and collaboration throughout.