We were awarded the project at Gorsey Bank as part of the wider TCAP works around Stockport Town Centre. The aim of the Town Centre Access Plan (TCAP) project for Stockport Council is to transform the accessibility and connectively to and around Stockport town centre and specifically aims to ease congestion for buses and general road traffic and encourage walking and cycling. It is part of an ambitious vision and development framework for investment in the town centre.
The works were spilt into 2 phases over a 50-week period. Phase 1 included; carriageway widening of A560 as well constructing pedestrian refuge islands on A560 for a controlled toucan crossing and uncontrolled pedestrian crossing, and constructing the bellmouth of the new access road. Other works involved where traffic signals, road markings, footway widening works, drainage installation and street lighting.
Phase 2 works included: constructing the new access road and embankments to the boundary of the Design and Build contract.
Ground Investigation reports carried out prior to works commencing discovered asbestos material located in the area where phase 2 of the works was to be carried out. Various safety methods had to be put into place to enable the work to be carried out, these included:
- Air monitoring continued twice weekly, and sampling was carried out throughout the earthworks.
- Water sprayers were used via bowser or water mains feed to control dust. Handpicked general waste not classed as 5A material was disposed off site, as non-contaminated general waste.
- Excavated soil /fines material with highest risk of fibres was laid in at lowest level and covered at a min of 500mm, to reduce risk of cross contamination. Areas of sandy / clay soil was used as is, no riddling to reduce risk of dust. Only areas of large hardcore / clean brick were riddled and separated for crushing. Water dust suppression was used during all riddling.
- Water suppression was used where existing Walls / Slabs needed to be removed with pecker
- Site was surrounded with 2.4m hoardings around the full perimeter (except riverbank) to prevent public access to contaminated area. Also 24 hours security of the site was put into place.
- Any plant working within the contaminated area remained within the contaminated area and was washed down before moving into non contaminated work area. Site deliveries materials was confined to designated clean- areas.
