Inner City Environmental (ICE), part of the Downwell Group, is delivering complex asbestos remediation works at the British Museum – enabling the safe installation of low-carbon heating systems as part of its landmark Energy Centre Programme.
Delivered in partnership with Downwell Enabling and principal contractor Dalkia UK, the project forms a critical component of the museum’s long-term Masterplan to upgrade infrastructure, improve energy efficiency, and futureproof operations.
As a Grade I listed building and one of the world’s most visited cultural institutions, welcoming approximately 6.5 million visitors annually, the museum demands exceptional levels of planning, control, and sensitivity throughout all works.
Scope of Works
ICE’s works focus on the safe removal and remediation of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) across basement plant areas, supporting a major heating system upgrade.
This includes:
- Removal of asbestos within plant rooms and service areas to enable safe mechanical upgrades
- Remediation within pipework trenches and basement infrastructure to de-risk excavation works
- Creating safe access routes for excavation and structural modifications within confined heritage spaces
- Supporting the installation of new mechanical services linked to low-carbon energy systems
These works are essential to facilitating the integration of modern heating technologies, including air-source and water-source heat pumps.
Challenges
Delivering asbestos remediation within the museum presents a highly complex operational environment:
- Live site with continuous public access
- Heritage constraints within a Grade I listed structure
- Restricted access and confined basement conditions
- Protection of objects and sensitive building fabric
- Coordination across multiple stakeholders, including Dalkia UK and museum teams
To address these challenges, ICE developed a phased and controlled delivery strategy, ensuring safe progression of works while maintaining programme continuity and protecting the integrity of the building and its priceless artefacts.
Our Approach
ICE implemented a robust, safety-led methodology tailored to the constraints of a live heritage environment:
- Full segregation of work areas, including enclosed and controlled zones
- Comprehensive environmental and air monitoring throughout all activities
- System isolations and controlled draindowns to mitigate risk
- Careful sequencing of works to minimise disruption to museum operations
- Close collaboration with stakeholders to ensure seamless integration with the wider programme
This approach ensured safe, compliant delivery while maintaining operational continuity within one of the UK’s most high-profile cultural assets.
Sustainability & Impact
The Energy Centre Programme is designed to significantly enhance the museum’s sustainability performance and reduce its environmental footprint.
ICE’s works directly support:
- Installation of efficient, low-carbon heating infrastructure
- A reduction of approximately 1,700 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually
- Long-term operational resilience and improved energy efficiency
This contributes to both the museum’s sustainability objectives and wider industry commitments to decarbonisation and responsible construction.
Delivery & Compliance
All works are delivered in strict accordance with:
- Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012
- Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) 2015
- HSE licensing requirements and industry best practice standards
ICE’s collaborative approach, working closely with Downwell Group teams and project stakeholders, ensures safe, efficient, and fully compliant delivery within highly constrained and high-profile environments.
Conclusion
This project demonstrates ICE’s capability to deliver complex asbestos remediation works in live, heritage-sensitive environments – supporting major infrastructure upgrades while maintaining the highest standards of safety, compliance, and operational control.
ICE continues to be a trusted partner for Tier 1 contractors and specialist programmes, delivering technically demanding works that enable safe, sustainable construction outcomes.
