22 May 2013

Costain has featured strongly in this year’s Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS).

The Company took the two runners-up awards for the national champion: the C405 London Paddington Station project, in joint venture (jv) with Skanska, and the M53 Bidston Moss viaduct strengthening project on The Wirral.

It also won three further Gold Awards, five Silver and ten Bronze, in a demonstration of the efforts that the Company’s workforce go to, in order to minimise disruption to residents around its sites.

The CCS is the national initiative set up by the construction industry to improve its image. Construction sites and companies that register with the scheme are monitored against a Code of Considerate Practice, designed to encourage best practice beyond statutory requirements.

The full roll of honour for Costain in this year’s contest was:

Gold: C405 London Paddington underground station; Bidston Moss Viaduct; Bond Street Tube station upgrade (in jv with Laing O’Rourke); London Power Tunnels; and A8 dualling Belfast to Larne (as part of Lagan Ferrovial Costain consortium).

Silver: Cleaner Seas for Sussex Scheme - 4Delivery Ltd; Overton WTW - 4Delivery Ltd; M62 J9-11 improvements - A One+; Severn Trent Water – Coundon, distribution service reservoir; and Pontypridd town centre regeneration.

Bronze: Brookfield Place & The Paddock - 4Delivery Ltd; Charing WTW - 4Delivery Ltd; Oxted WTW - 4Delivery Ltd; M1 J10-13 improvements scheme (in jv with Carillion); Thameslink – Farringdon Station (in jv with Laing O’Rourke); Newbury Parkway; Port Talbot PDR Phase 2; A244 Walton-on-Thames Bridge replacement; Prendergast Hilly Fields school; and Prendergast Vale school.

Martin Quaid, Project Director at Paddington underground station, commented: “We are committed to working with the communities around our worksites to minimise the impact from our construction works and to provide the best conditions for the workforce. This is really important to us as a business and also to our client, Crossrail.

“We are going to continue to work closely with the Paddington community as we progress the construction of the new Paddington Crossrail station.”

The CCS citation for the project said: “This major infrastructure project required a new underground interchange hub for Crossrail next to London's Paddington station, with significant excavation, diaphragm walling, and a short tunnel to connect with the existing underground lines. This remains a high profile project, and was particularly so during the Olympic Games when the station was widely used by visitors.

“Thanks to excellent displays, highly- effective noise suppression, courteous staff and attention to detail, the impression delivered to travellers evidenced the ability to carry out an ongoing transformation in a modern capital city without disrupting its inhabitants.

“Acoustic tents helped avoid disturbance to neighbouring offices, while careful monitoring was achieved through 1,200 measurement points. Staff and operatives engaged extensively with local business activities and enjoyed an excellent level of dialogue. Specially constructed welfare areas were provided for drivers while they awaited their delivery slots and for non-project train drivers to rest.

“There was also strong engagement with the wider community including careers advice to youngsters and paid internship opportunities. Staff also joined the local school governors on the board, and there were numerous examples of direct support for both individuals and charities.

“Despite the heavy and extensive works in progress, this site maintained an immaculate presentation in all areas, and remains a key player in promoting both the Scheme and the construction industry.”

The project was this month also awarded a RoSPA gold award for the second year running for its exemplary efforts in health & safety.

 

Ends