Demolition underway at Harlow site where PHE is creating £450 million public health science campus and HQ

THE Harlow site where Public Health England is building its new £450 million public health science campus and headquarters has been dramatically transformed by the demolition work now underway.

The entire area at the front of the site has been cleared and a number of buildings along the eastern wing demolished.

The work, which is expected to continue until the end of the year, is in preparation for the planned construction work due to begin next year.
When it is complete, PHE Harlow will provide a significant boost to local employment and be the largest centre for applied public health science in Europe.
Dr Tim Harry, Science Hub Programme Director, said: “Every time I go to the site I can see a significant difference and another step forward in our plans to create our world-leading campus – it’s really quite exciting.

“In a relatively short period of time our contractors have transformed the appearance of the site and begun preparing it for the major construction work due to begin next year.

“This is a huge step forward for PHE. We are very happy with the work so far and looking forward to seeing further progress in the coming weeks and months.”

As part of the demolition, the fountains which the former owners GSK built at the entrance to the main building, have all been demolished as has the security office as preparations are made for the creation of a new Arrivals Area – a building which will be open to the public and introduce visitors to PHE and its world leading public health science,

Along the eastern edge of the site the former laboratories used for drug testing during the London Olympics have been stripped and demolished. Workshops and maintenance buildings have also been flattened. One of the machines being used weighs 50 tonnes, can reach 45metres high and is capable of cutting through and crushing metal and concrete beams.

Up to 95% of the demolished material will be recycled. Metal is ultimately melted down and wood is shredded and used in various industries as well as in power stations. Some material is used as hard standing on the site.