2 February 2010

The Tesco Gerrards Cross project, with Costain as main contractor, has now exceeded 600,000 working man-hours without a RIDDOR reportable incident in the four years since work first commenced in early 2006.

This milestone was achieved in January 2010, and underlines the degree to which health and safety is the number one commitment for all Costain staff and subcontractor operatives on the Tesco Gerrards Cross project. RIDDOR reportable incidents include over-3-day injuries, injuries to members of the public and dangerous occurrences on site.

Costain Project Manager, Martin Baughurst, commented: "This achievement is demonstrable proof of the safety level we've made paramount in all aspects of the project; we will strive to maintain our perfect safety record for the remainder of the works."

The project's client representative, Tesco Stores Limited Development Manager, Andy Lloyd, added: "This is a well managed project; 600,000 man-hours is an excellent reflection on what is a safe site."

The project, a technically complex scheme to repair a partially collapsed rail tunnel and subsequently construct a new reinforced concrete arch structure over the top, with the existing tunnel employed as permanent formwork, is progressing well. The reinforced concrete overbuild is due to be completed in June 2010, which will be followed by the completion of backfilling works utilising both conventional aggregate and light-weight foamed concrete. The new Tesco store to be built on top of this structure is due to be completed and open for trading before the end of 2010.

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