Our team delivering the A40 Phase 2 works for Transport for London has recently been accredited with an Excellent rating by the Considerate Constructors Scheme, for its efforts to Respect the Community, Care for the Environment and Value their Workforce, achieving a total score of 42/45.
The project
Costain has been tasked with replacing a total of seven cantilever expansion joints on a key section of the east-west London artery between Wood Lane and Marylebone Flyover, upgrades which will improve the safety and quality of the 96,000 journeys which take place each day. The commission also includes resurfacing and concrete repairs on a 4.5-kilometre section of the road. The team is currently around halfway through the programme and has replaced all four comb joints on the slip roads leading onto the A40 in this section.
Throughout, the team has made every effort to mitigate the impact of its works, liaising with TfL’s maintenance contractor to identify opportunities for both parties to carry out works simultaneously. This close cooperation between delivery partners minimises the number of required road closures and also enables co-working in shared site compounds, reducing the physical and environmental footprint of the works.
The work
The works were set to clash with the much-loved Notting Hill Carnival. However, we adapted our programme using Production Thinking techniques to ensure that the first works package was completed before the carnival began and that there was no disruption to the local road network from the project during this very busy time. As well as reducing the requirement for onsite working, this approach also enables significant carbon savings. Examples of the techniques used include:
- A coordinated, systematic approach to road closures with other TfL projects.
- Advance completion of preparatory works.
- Use of 3D asset surveys and 3D scanning.
- Offsite fabrication of joints and trial of the joint installation methodology.
- Extensive joint gap monitoring to assess seasonal response variation and the movement range of the expansion joints.
"We’re operating on one of London’s busiest roads, and we’re committed to innovating wherever possible to streamline our delivery and drive social and environmental value. Our purpose is to improve people’s lives and that starts by creating open dialogue and working closely with residents, businesses and community groups during the construction phase."
Emma Curran A40 Project Manager
The project’s dedicated social value advisory lead worked closely with the A40 team and a diverse range of external stakeholders to identify where we can create the most benefit for the local community. Most recently, we made use of our volunteering days and worked with the Westway Trust to transform former indie night club Subterania into a community hub. Costain donated 240 volunteering hours to transform the club into a bright and welcoming space which can be used for co-working and community events.
"We finished the promised works early, meaning we could take on some additional tasks for the Trust. We’re also working with local artists to source artwork for the new community centre to create a sense of belonging and allow the centre to take its rightful place at the heart of the community."
Isobelle Rushton Costain Social Value Manager
The A40 project has also been recognised for creating an open and positive culture in which team members can thrive and for the gender diversity of its team, with women holding senior roles on the project both at Costain and TfL. Growing and fostering talent is a priority, with established pathways for personal development from early careers through to chartership and beyond. This project and the wider TfL account are committed to nurturing the next generation of talent; there are currently two graduates in our construction and environment functions, and two undergraduates gaining experience in the construction and commercial functions.
Check out our sector page to find out more about our Integrated Transport projects.
Contact
Andy Clarke
Sector director