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Issue 3: may 2003
Issue 3: may 2003
Issue 3: May 2003
Introduction
We hope you found the first edition informative and that it helped give you an insight into the project. The delivery of the scheme has moved into another phase with the award of the design and build contract to Costain Limited. The contract was awarded on the 10th March and some enabling work such as ecological exploration, survey work and archaeological excavation have already commenced, together with the detailed design.
Costain are delighted to have been awarded this much needed scheme and are looking forward to delivering it as efficiently as possible for the benefit of the local and travelling public.
Our aim in publishing this newsletter, at quarterly intervals, is to keep you informed of our progress. This will be supported by articles that we hope you will find interesting.
Scheme Description
The scheme involves the construction of a 3.0km length of dual carriageway connecting the existing A34 at the Newbury Bypass at its southern end the A34 at Priors Court Road at its northern end. The carriageway will run under the M4 to the west of the Junction 13 roundabout through the underpass North and south of the M4, connections between the A34 and Junction 13 will be provided by slip roads.
Access to the local road network south of the M4 will be provided by the network of roads and roundabouts adjacent to the Hilton Holey and Chieveley Service Area. The Local Oxford Road will replace the existing slip roads at Arlington lane and connect this Curridge Road to the Roundabout at the Hilton Hotel.
The scheme also includes a dedicated equestrian crossing of the A34 connecting Chalky Lane and Green Lane (south). Furthermore, te opportunity to upgrade Bussocks Wood footbridge to bridleway standard has been taken in order to create a continuous bridleway link betweween Chalky Land and Chieveley - the "Chieveley Community Circuit".
This newsletter includes the following sections:
- The Partnership Team
- Project outline
- Progress and forthcoming programme
- Traffic management
- Environmental issues
- Community relations
- Nuisance and Complaints
- Further information
There are many other stakeholders and subsequent newsletters will explain their association with the scheme.
The Partnership Team
The Client for the scheme, and the organisation responsible for all Motorways and Trunk Roads in England, is the Highways Agency. The HA have retained Gifford WSP as consultants for the delivery of the scheme through public inquiry, and as their Agent for the detailed design and construction phase. The main contractor for the design and construction works is Costain Limited. Costain is one of the oldest major contractors in the UK, established 136 years ago. Mott MacDonald have been engaged as their designer and the contractor's team is further supported by some strategic supply chain partners and specialists:
- Earthworks - Walters UK Ltd
- Surfacing - Foster Yeoman
- Environmental - RPS Consultants
- Piling - Bachy-Soletanche
- Management - Conemasters Ltd
- Archaeology - Northamptonshire Archaeology
Project Outline
The main components of the scheme are:
- 3km of new dual two lane carriageway forming the new A34
- Three 'top-down' bridges forming underpasses to the M4, westbound on-slip road and the eastbound off-slip
- New A34 slip roads forming a grade separated interchange to interact with the existing M4 Junction 13
- Six new slip road over-bridges
- New access arrangements for Chieveley service area, Travelodge, Hilton Hotel and maintenance depot
- New local road and by-way network connections
- Replace Bussocks Wood footbridge over the M4 with a new equestrian / footbridge
- New equestrian over bridge crossing the A34 south of J13
- Refurbish 3km of carriageway on the M4
- New sign gantries on the A34 approach to Junction 13
The scheme will alleviate the current traffic delays, removing one of the worst bottlenecks in the UK highway network.
Progress and Forthcoming Programme
The main event has been the awarding of the contract. Early works have focused on site clearance, ecological surveys, archaeological excavation, topographical surveys, additional ground investigation, initial topsoil stripping and establishment of the site compound.
The next three months will see the commencement of the A34 bulk earthworks after archaeological and ecological mitigation measures have been undertaken. Works to the M4 will include enabling works such as communication cable diversions and temporary slip road diversions together with temporary motorway widening to facilitate a major traffic management scheme to construct the M4 underpass.
The scheme will be substantially complete by summer 2004, well ahead of the Highways Agency's target.
Traffic Management
To construct the scheme it is necessary to employ significant traffic management schemes. These include:
- M4 hard shoulder closures
- M4 narrow lanes (but retaining three in each direction during peak times)
- M4 off-peak lane closures
- Two 8 hour closures of the M4 for the demolition of Bussocks Wood Bridge and the erection of the replacement bridge
- M4 slip road closures
- M4 speed restrictions (50mph)
- Works in the verge of the M4 and A34
- A34 narrow lanes (two in each direction)
- A34 off-peak lane closures
- A34 speed restrictions (40mph)
The above schemes will be signed in accordance with the current standards and will be publicised using information bulletins issued in many formats, including the media. We ask you to take extra care during these phases for the sake of your safety and that of our workers and other motorists - Thank you.
PLEASE DRIVE CAREFULLY - OBSERVE THE SIGNS
KEEP YOUR DISTANCE - OBSERVE THE SPEED LIMIT
Environmental Issues
Ecology
One of the main priorities in the early stages of the project is to establish a detailed understanding of the ecological habitats.
Following on from the extensive pre-construction assessment and fieldwork, we continue to monitor the habitats identified and minimise the potential construction impact.
Newsletter 1 highlighted some of the additional ecological issues identified during these works.
We are in the process of finalising our construction environmental management plan and will provide an update in the next newsletter.
Archaeology
Throughout the entire site of the new road construction there is an opportunity to unearth archaeological remains. Highway projects such as the A34/M4 Junction 13 offer a rare opportunity to investigate remains as they excavate a horizon about 200mm below existing ground level in the soil and sub soil that reveals the majority of artefacts.
In addition to the investigation carried out in advance of the contract, Costain has engaged the expert help of Northamptonshire Archaeology to carry out further exploratory trenching, geophysical surveys and a watching brief during initial earthworks and for the entire project.
There will be an initial report on our findings in the next issue.
Community Relations
Forthcoming Public Meetings
Costain will be holding a number of meetings throughout the construction to give the public the opportunity to discuss the works.
Public meetings will start promptly at 7.30 pm. It is intended that Costain staff will give a brief description of the general works and then forthcoming works. This will be followed by a Question and Answer session to allow members of the public to ask specific questions.
Venue:
Chieveley Village Hall and Recreation Centre
High Street
Chieveley
Berkshire
- Tuesday 29 July 2003 at 7.30 pm
- Tuesday 18 November 2003 at 7.30 pm
Nuisance and Complaints
For the duration of our works, we sincerely hope that there will not be too many reasons for you to complain.
However, it is inevitable with a contract of this size that some problems will arise. If you have any queries or wish to bring to our attention any problems, then please contact Trevor Spice, Costain Community Relations Manager on our Helpline (telephone number shown below) and he will address your particular query or problem.
Our aim is to ensure that the minimum of inconvenience is caused to you. We promise to respond quickly to your complaint through personal contact and with a quick resolution.
Helpline 0845 600 2012
Costain's 24 hour construction helpline is available to answer questions and give details of construction work.
Further information
If you want to discuss or write to us about an issue, please contact either: John Martin on 01306 878129 (Project Sponsor), at
Highways Agency
Operations Directorate (SE)
Room 2C, Federated House,
London Road,
Dorking, Surrey RH4 1SZ
or email a34chieveleym4j13improvement@highways.gsi.gov.uk
