Constructing a dynamic hard shoulder along the M6
Project summary
RSK Group company CR Civil Engineering worked on providing new emergency refuge areas along the M6 smart motorway.
READ MORE- ยฃ2.4 million Programme of work value
- 3 Verge emergency access areas installed
- 3.5 km Of upgrades to the central reservation in Phase 1
The background
Emergency refuge areas (ERA) are vital for the safety of road users. With this in mind, National Highways is actioning driversโ concerns about being able to find a safe place to stop in an emergency on โall lane runningโ smart motorways without a permanent hard shoulder. In November 2022, CR Civil Engineering began construction of the new safety barrier for the verge emergency access areas with a scope of works of predominately earthworks and drainage. Working with its client, the Morgan Sindall Infrastructure and BAM Nuttall joint venture (bmJV), the team was contacted to upgrade the central reservation area, to undertake drainage realignments and to retrofit new ERAs for the Smart Motorways Programme (SMP) Alliance for National Highways. As of July 2023, three new ERAs have been completed, with six more planned for the future along the M6 corridor.
The challenges
Owing to the scale of the project, the team had to navigate working in a busy environment while collaborating with other contractors in a constantly evolving programme and locations. They also had to work with a large number of design challenges and site constraints. Phase 1 included upgrades to the central reservation, with a push for the construction to be completed in time for the Commonwealth Games.
The solutions
To best mitigate the challenges, the team prioritised collaboration during the project. As early as the preconstruction phase, CR Civil Engineering workshopped the different elements of the project, focusing on ensuring the efficient delivery and practicability of each phase, as well as providing quantity accuracy, all before finalisation of the order. The team worked to reach the deadline of the Commonwealth Games through robust collaboration with the client and supply chain.
The impacts
Thanks to reviews and collaboration on the project, CR Civil Engineering was able to complete the work on time, on target and to programme requirements in time for the Commonwealth Games. The construction was staggered into phases, with upgrades taking place on the central reservation, verges and hard shoulder. The M6 junction 4โ5 dynamic hard shoulder project finished in June 2023, with a final account value of ยฃ2.4 million.
Because of the high level of work produced, CR Civil Engineering won the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT) West Midlands 2023 Collaboration Award, nominated by bmJV. The team also won a number of awards following this at bmJVโs Workplace Recognition Awards.
CR Civil Engineering team in a room accepting the bmJVโs Workplace Recognition Awards.
This week, some of the team from RSK Africa took part in the Run for Autism Marathon in Dar e Salaam. The event was led by the Lukiza Autism Foundation for which RSK Tanzania are proud sponsors of for the second time!
All proceeds go towards the research and treatment of Autism to enhance the quality of life for individuals on the Autism Spectrum, including their families.
#RSKGroup #RunForAutism #LukizaAutismFoundation
Discover how Steven Carmody is using his experience and knowledge to encourage the next generation. ๐ก
Steven recently told us why we need to embrace change to engineer our future workforce.
The managing director of RSK Group company SCP says that โItโs great that colleges now offer courses and apprenticeships that provide people with an alternative way to learn the skills they need and earn money at the same time. Yes, the process may take longer than a degree might, but both can be hugely rewarding experiences.โ
๐ Follow us to learn more about opportunities with The RSK Group
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Join us for the first webinar in our Power On series. โก
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20th May
โฐ 14:30pm BST
This webinar brings together our strategy experts, for a lively discussion that pinpoints key considerations for the strategic planning of development projects in the run up to elections and potential changes to government.
Join our expert speakers to learn more!
#RSKPowerOn #Renewables #EnergyDevelopment
The @rskbiocensus team have recently been on-site in North Yorkshire, installing barn owl boxes as part of mitigation for an infrastructure project.
The boxes were installed on suitable trees within ideal barn owl hunting habitat by aerial-rescue trained tree climbers, Joseph and Claire.
Keep up the great work! ๐
#RSKGroup #SelfiesOnSite #BarnOwls #Ecology #Nestbox
@bea.tann.landscape has been chosen to design this year`s garden for the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival. ๐ป
Beaโs garden, which is sponsored by RSK Group, is inspired by her love of woodlands and fairytales.
The graduate landscape architect at ADAS said, โI grew up in Cheshire and have always loved the woodlands of Macclesfield Forest. The feeling of being in a woodland is relaxing and calm โ I wanted to try and emulate that feeling within my garden to bring a bit of magic into our homes.โ
Congratulations Bea ๐
#RSKGroup #RHSShows #RHSHamptonCourt #sustainableDesign #SustainabilityGarden
We are delighted to launch the RSK Power On Energy series โก
RSK Power On helps renewable energy developers, across various technologies, break through barriers faced throughout the development project life cycle.
To download our insightful guide or sign up to one of our live webinars led by industry experts follow the link in our bio
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Join our latest Down to Earth webinar to dive into the world of sustainable construction with RSK Geosciences
In this webinar we will explore:
๐ Circular economy principles in the construction process
๐ Strategies to minimise waste
๐ Strategies to maximise resource efficiency and transform traditional construction practices.
Join our expert speaker Rachel Hill to learn more!
#RSKGroup #CircularEconomy #Construction
Discover how Jack is building his future with an apprenticeship ๐
Jack Ford recently told us about his experience as an apprentice with RoC Consulting and his hopes for the future.
He says that โWorking at RoC Consulting means being part of something much bigger than me. Knowing that projects I work on could have an impact on the planet long after Iโve gone is really special. I want to make a difference, and I like to think this is my way of doing so.โ
Follow the link in bio to learn more about Jack`s experience.
#RSKGroup #Apprenticeships #EarlyCareers #CivilEngineering #EngineeringApprenticeship
Exciting news for RSK Biocensus!
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural (Defra) has appointed RSK Biocensus and the RSK Wilding team as a `responsible body` to work with landowners and developers for conservation and biodiversity.
Senior Legal Adviser Natalie Bryce advised that โOur shared goal is for the landowner to be able to protect, conserve or enhance the land as they wish and get the planning permissions they need if BNG is needed for a development.โ
Follow us for more updates from our RSK Group companies
#RSKGroup #Conservation #Biodiversity #Defra