THREE giant cranes at the former Anglia Ruskin university site had to be dismantled when heavy rain threatened to dislodge their foundations.
Genesis Housing Association and builders Denne Construction were forced to scale back work on the site in Victoria Road South, where 500 homes are to be built, for urgent safety checks.
One of the concrete slabs supporting a number of the cranes on the 5.7 acre building site had moved due to a build-up of extra water.
So three cranes had to be taken down as a precaution while the foundations were shored up.
It meant work at the site, which stretches from the railway station to Parkway and includes the historic Anne Knight, Frederick Chancellor and Law buildings, had to be scaled back and moved to a safer location.
Speaking last week, Neil Gulliver, cabinet member for planning and economic development at Chelmsford City Council, said: "I'm concerned about the delay because obviously there's much needed social housing on the site. The longer it takes the longer people have to wait to be rehoused."
But the work was back up to full speed last Friday, six weeks after the initial scare.
A spokeswoman for Genesis Housing Association said: "It's well-known that there is water underneath the development site and so this didn't come as a complete surprise and it wasn't a major issue.
"We took down the cranes purely as a precautionary measure and to help us investigate and repair the issue.
"As of last week, the cranes were all back up on site and work is still on track to complete the delivery of 224 homes, the refurbishment of the three historic buildings and creation of the new office and retail space as part of our flagship new development, which is going to bring much-needed housing to Chelmsford by September next year.
"The cranes were within the statutory safety limits at all times and there was no danger to the public or the development," she added.
The project, which is expected to be fully complete by 2015, will see 507 homes built on the site, along with a 13-storey tower, offices and a supermarket.
