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Stone Lodge School
The works comprised extensive highway alterations to the A2, London Road and Cotton Lane junction in Dartford with the provision of a dedicated entrance and access to a new secondary school.
Improvements to traffic sensitive road:
These improvements were carried out to accommodate increased traffic volumes on a highly sensitive section road that is occasionally used as a secondary route in the event of an unscheduled closure to the M25 exit lanes of the Dartford Crossing.
Planning and coordinating works:
A series of Traffic Management plans were prepared and agreed with the Highway Authority prior to commencement specifically aimed at minimising the impact of the works and the necessary traffic flows in the locality.
The management and effectiveness of the traffic management was monitored at regular intervals to ensure that traffic flows were maintained accordingly.
Working with third parties:
The coordination of all third parties was paramount to ensure that both KCC Highways and Highways England were updated regularly informing them of the potential issues that may have impacted the works.
Local residents and businesses were advised of the works methodology and updated accordingly.
Statutory authorities and telemetry specialists for the traffic light systems were coordinated within the programme of works to meet key dates.
Other third parties such as bus companies were informed of the nature of the works and arrangements made to suspend or relocate bus stops throughout the duration of the works.
Managing and mitigating impact of works:
Managing the constant flow of traffic and minimising the impact of traffic control was key to this project.
As with a majority of highway works there is a likely requirement to incur single way traffic during the construction period but we were able to minimise this by using the full extent of the carriageway for a majority of the works prior the construction of the pedestrian crossings.
Pedestrian access was maintained at all times with dedicated footways, signage and ramps.
Where it was necessary to introduce portable traffic lights the durations were managed to a minimum throughout the construction period.
Pedestrian access was maintained at all times with dedicated footways and ramps.
The durations where it was necessary to introduce portable traffic lights were managed to a minimum throughout the construction period.
Key challenges solutions and lessons learnt:
Statutory authorities and their associated equipment were undoubtedly the biggest challenge we faced during these works and establishing a strong communicative relationship with the individual authority supervisors enabled us to coordinate the works successfully.
Following an extensive number of trial holes to establish the exact position, depth and type of the existing services, it became very apparent that the use of vacuum excavation plant was the safest and ultimately the most cost-effective approach.
The main lesson learnt was to ensure that sufficient durations were allowed to expose, identify and relocate the existing services and key dates were achieved for new equipment/services to be installed.
Coordinating and managing traffic management:
For a majority of the works he traffic management was coordinated and monitored by a specialist subcontractor.
However, in certain areas where only minor highway incursion was required we used our in-house streetworks accredited operatives and supervisors to manage the necessary Chapter 8 requirements.
Innovation, value and service improvements:
There are now a number of options that can be used cost effectively during the construction process and these mainly concern the use of alternative materials now approved by a majority of the Highway Authorities.
Non mechanical excavation around live services is now a viable option notwithstanding the safety benefits that should always be the number one priority.
Ecology – methodology and advance monitoring:
The ecology methodology and advanced monitoring will have been concluded in accordance with the requirements of a specification provided by a specialist in this field and in this instance would have been carried out by the Principal Contractor prior to our contractual engagement.
We have however played a part in numerous projects working with the ecological teams installing proprietary fencing, monitoring, clearing vegetation and relocation of wildlife in accordance with their requirements.
Archaeological – potential requirements:
As with the ecology requirements for this project any necessary archaeological works were procured prior to our contractual engagement however we were party to the documentation and the procedures required in the event of uncovering artefacts during the working process.
We have been involved in extensive archaeological investigation works on previous projects prior to commencement of the main construction works. These works were carried out in conjunction with and the guidance of the archaeological specialist engaged for the works.
Programming and sequencing:
Prior to commencement a construction programme indicating sequencing was agreed with all parties concerned with the operational activities to ensure that the timescales were appropriate and the key dates would be achieved.
This was done to ensure that all third parties, residents, bus companies and emergency services etc were made aware of the impact of the works during specific periods of the programmed duration.
Regular progress meetings ensued that all parties were aware of progress, delays and the potential impact thereof.
Both programme and progress were monitored, recorded and published on a regular basis and all unforeseen delays were updated for record purposes.
The works will be monitored, recorded and published on a regular basis to ensure that works are completed in a timely manner. Should delays be incurred for unforeseen additional works then this will be advised accordingly on the programme.
Sector: Education
Contract Value: £1.1m
Main Contractor: BAM
Duration: 18 weeks
Type of works: Groundworks, highways & surfacing
Status: Complete