An E.T.S.A. investigation suggested that the site for a 4000 ton capacity coal bin was underlain by clay and gravel to 30 feet, a tender was let to place 112 piles. At completion of piling, which had proved more difficult than expected, a D.M. site investigation revealed Calcareous Shales at an average depth of 10 feet. Piling was therefore unnecessary, the most suitable foundations being colomns based on bedrock.