| | Eurovia |
| | £700,000 |
| | Southend, SS9 |
| | Feb 2018 |
| | Jul 2018 |
VGC is constructing large reinforced concrete base foundations for a new footbridge over the A127 motorway.
We were contracted by client Eurovia to complete the works as part of a project for Southend County Council.
The works were located next to a busy motorway. There was heavy pedestrian footfall and we had to maintain continuous access to a nearby school and health centre. All the works were carefully planned to limit disruption to local residents and ensure the safety of pedestrians and road users.
Cable avoidance
The location where we had to excavate was heavily populated with existing live services, some of which clashed with the proposed foundation. VGC has invested heavily in digital cable avoidance technology and in training to ensure our people follow best practice on safe work methods. In collaboration with our clients we have developed a stringent permit-to-break-ground system with permits reviewed daily. The site team worked methodically to ensure the excavation works and reinforced concrete installation did not damage any live services.
Clients interested in finding out more about how we deliver complex projects in high-profile areas are invited to contact William Dalton, contracts manager.
Safety award
Solomon Peters won the monthly construction safety award for safe excavation, and stepping up to the supervisory role in Pat Duggan’s absence. Solomon became a key influencer in June 2018.
About the Kent Elms junction upgrade
The footbridge is part of a major £6.5m junction upgrade, which involves widening the existing A127 motorway to three lanes to increase capacity.
The replacement footbridge will have ramps as well as steps, so for the first time wheelchair-users and people pushing prams and buggies will be able to use it.
Tony Cox, Southend councillor responsible for transport, waste and regulatory services, said: “During the consultation over the Kent Elms junction upgrade, members of the local community told us how important it was to keep a footbridge over the A127, so that local schoolchildren could cross safely.”
The junction upgrade work is funded by Southend Council and the government’s Local Growth Fund.
