Deddington saltbarn

Project Principles and Objectives

Ryebridge was awarded the project by competitive tender in August 2023 commencing with a pre-construction services agreement.

The project was secured following a tender invitation via the Crown Commercial Services framework agreement and was for Ryebridge to provide full design services and for the submission of a full planning application, including the appointment of all necessary environmental, tree and noise specialist sub-consultants to comply with the requirements of the planning authority.

The main objective was to complete the design and construction of the saltbarn by a deadline of October 1 2024 to ensure that the delivery and storage of road salt to the barn was ready for county road spreading by Highways Depot gritter lorries no later than the middle of October.

Following the submission of the planning application it was uncertain whether planning permission would be granted in time for the construction works to commence without compromising the completion date, but the Ryebridge team did everything in their power to ensure the deadline was met.

Project Works and Key Quantities

The commencement of the works involved the breaking up and disposal of the reinforced concrete slab foundation to the area where the road salt was originally stored, and the removal of any surplus spoil and concrete from site.

Simultaneous to the enabling works, the surface water drainage installation was commenced including all necessary trenching, construction of manholes and the attenuation tank.

Following the receipt of full planning approval and discharge of the planning conditions, work commenced on the structural steelwork frame with the installation of the pre-cast concrete walls.

These works were followed by the timber purlins and cladding and the single sheet roofing, plus the gutters, ventilated ridge and PV solar panels. The final works to be completed were the electrical installations and the saltbarn door.

Project quantities:

• Site clearance and set-up, ensuring permanent access for the operation of the Highways Depot.

• Breaking out of the existing foundations and reinforced concrete slab to the footprint of the new saltbarn, followed by the removal of surplus spoil and debris.

• Demolition of a small office building following inspection and approval by environmental consultants.

• Construction of reinforced concrete raft slab (300mm thick, 580 m2) and foundations to the new saltbarn. Design fabrication galvanising and erection of structural steelwork frame to the saltbarn and adjacent washdown gantry (38 tonnes).

• Supply and erection of pre-cast concrete wall (388 m2).

• Supply and fixing of treated timber purlins and external cladding.

• Supply and fixing of a single skin steel PV coated roofing sheet (660 m2), with gutters and downpipes.

• Supply and Installation of solar PV panels to the roof and connection to the National Grid.

• All electrical installations, including internal and external lighting, fire alarms, lightning conduction, small power.

• Surface water drainage including all trenches, pipework, manholes, attenuation tank and connection to main surface water network.

• Tarmacadam paving.

Innovation and Best Practice

Ryebridge was to ensure programme certainty due to the saltbarn being required for handover no later than September 30 in time for the delivery of the season’s road salt on October 1. Ryebridge succeeded in this fast-track assignment by using capable, committed and proven sub-contractors.

• Ready-mix reinforced concrete was handlaid to ensure quality and best practice.

• Solution-focused customer first approach, relying heavily on early engagement with client and an honest and open approach to any challenges as they were identified. We took the time to understand the needs of our client and kept this at the centre of our planning.

• Collaborative and innovative strategy with highways operations to allow for work to be completed in a safe and timely manner on a live depot while leaving transport movements unaffected.

• The works for each phase and handover were complete on time, on budget with 100% safety record.

Moving Forward

Following the successful design and delivery of the saltbarn, Oxfordshire County Council sent another project enquiry to Ryebridge.

Ryebridge has assisted the council in submitting a full planning application for a new office building for the Deddington Highways Depot. The building comprises a gross external floor area of 199m2 on two floors to replace the existing facility, including new foundations, drainage and services.

This planning application has been approved by Oxfordshire planning authority which will now kick-start the tender process by the client. Ryebridge is hoping to be awarded with this new opportunity and others with Oxfordshire County Council following the success of the saltbarn works.

The project should also highlight to other councils the cost-saving benefits behind a reasonable and measured investment in a saltbarn, as Oxfordshire County Council will recover the cost of the barn relatively quickly in terms of the wasted and unusable salt, and could result in similar works for Ryebridge at other local authorities.

The original site used for grit before construction of the saltbarn.

Bristol Airport Eastern Apron Phase 2

Project Principles and Objectives

Ryebridge was awarded the project by competitive tender in July 2022. The project was Phase 2 and completed the new East Apron on the site of the old airport terminal building.
The project was central to the strategic growth of Bristol Airport and with the completion of the new stands 17 and 18 the airport would be then able to make operational stands 19 and 20 which had been storage areas since 2019.
The Phase 2 works also included a new Alpha Lead on and two new stops bars and a reconfigured and updated AGL system. The AGL works also included a new centreline.
All of this was required to facilitate the use of the four stands. In addition to this stands 15, 16 and 17 were severely degraded with continual defects and increasing risk of FOD. Ryebridge were contracted to plane and resurface this area whilst not impacting on the operations of the airport.

Project Works and Key Quantities
The commencement of the works involved the full site clearance including the footings from the old terminal.
All material was set aside to be crushed and recycled for use in the construction phase. In addition the enabling works included the demolition of the old Swissport tower.
As part of the site set up Ryebridge installed a temporary airside fence which facilitated easier access as the project became landside.
The AGL works due to it being within the airfield was undertaken on nights and Ryebridge worked concurrently on nights and days to accelerate the works.
The nightworks included a rockwheel to core for the stop bars. High mast lights were installed and airport specified acoustic fencing.

Project quantities:

• Site clearance and set up;

• Removal of footings from old terminal and recycle for fill material;

• Demolition of Swissport tower;

• Dig to formation and lay and compact sub base;

• 23,500m3 of PQ concrete;

• Surface water drainage (slot drains);

• Pit and duct systems for high masts and AGLs;

• Install four new high mast lights;

• Two ground power units (GPUs);

• New airside retaining wall;

• Plane and resurface stands 14-17;

• New acoustic airside fence;

• Airside lining

Innovation and Best Practice
The concrete footings from the old terminal were crushed, screened, recycled and used as fill material therefore reducing emissions, cost and time.
To ensure programme certainty and no impact on airside operations Ryebridge rockwheeled the new stop bars in one night each.
Concrete was handlaid to ensure quality and average pour was 250m3 per day.

Moving Forward
Ryebridge is still active at Bristol Airport and has completed other airside projects such as a new airside road for the fuel farm project

Curium Stands and Echo Taxiway reconstruction

Project Principles and Objectives

The project was in three works areas:

●       Works Area A: The development of four new serviced code C stands alongside Taxiway Delta, including ground support equipment (GSE) parking areas and airside road access to the existing south stands, to the existing east apron and to the existing road crossing across Taxiways Delta and Foxtrot.

●       Works Area B: The development of three new serviced code C stands alongside Taxiway Echo, also including provision for parking of 2 code E aircraft (one on the new stands, and one on the existing north apron stands). This also included the realignment of Taxiway Echo, the reconfiguration of the north stand markings, the installation of new fillets to Taxiway Delta and stand 61, the reconstruction of existing pavements forming the failed central section of existing Taxiway Echo and the provision of airside road access to the existing stand 80, road crossings across the realigned Taxiway Echo and Taxiway Delta (towards the cargo apron and hangars). Works adjacent to Harrods Stand 71 retaining wall scheduled for construction throughout August 2022 to minimise disruption to operations.

●       Works Area C: The reconstruction of the remainder of the central section of Taxiway Echo to replace failed concrete bays and to strengthen the taxiway as necessary to resolve the continual failure of this length of taxiway.

Project Works and Key Quantities

The project was deliberately phased to reduce the impact on airport operations, with the biggest challenge always being access to work areas due to security restraints. This project required more than 2,000 vehicle movements with an estimated volume of 18,000m3 of concrete needed airside.

Ryebridge has over 50 full pass security-cleared operatives but through experience gained in over 15 years working airside we planned the following to make access easier:

●       Both sets of stands were made landside with agreements put in place with airport security and the CAA.

●       All concrete that was broken out was recycled and reused as fill material.

Associated works included high mast lighting, fixed ground power units, airfield ground lighting (AGL), and drainage including attenuation tanks, interceptors and penstock pumping chamber to facilitate de-icing stations on the stands.  In the initial phase to facilitate Delta there was a large retaining wall installed between the South Stands and Delta Stansa, which was approximately 2.5m at the highest point.

Both stands also required new fire hydrants and Ryebridge was responsible for installing and designing these.

Ryebridge also completed fencing, lining, saw cut and joint sealing of concrete, on top of upgrading Taxiway Delta AGLs to LED.

Echo Taxiway has previously failed and Ryebridge was responsible for the design and build of a new Taxiway.  This is now in full operation with no defects to date.

The reconstruction phase required the airport becoming a cul-de-sac as the works meant there would be no route through Echo. Without any alternative access available, Ryebridge phased the works to ensure there would be no impact at all on airfield operations and plane movements.

Ryebridge also managed the close-off phase including the Health and Safety file and the O&Ms.

●       6,000m3 wet lean

●       12,000m3 PQQ 450mm

●       10,000 (est) 40mm dowel bars

●       1,000m slot drains

●       New pit and duct for AGLs

●       7 FGPUs

●       5 High Mast Lights

●       3 Fire Hydrants

 Innovation and Best Practice (VE)

●       All concrete recycled and reused;

●       Solution-focused customer first approach, relying heavily on early engagement with client and an honest and open approach to any challenges as they were identified. We took the time to understand the needs of our client and kept this at the centre of our planning;

●       Collaborative and innovative strategy with airport operations to allow for work to be completed in a safe and timely manner on a live Taxiway while leaving airport movements unaffected;

●       The works for each phase and handover were complete on time, on budget with 100% safety record.

Moving Forward

The success in this project reinforces our commitment to early engagement and a close partnership with our clients. Our clients can be certain that we have their objectives at the centre of what we do. We operate exclusively with a small  pool of subcontractors so we can be certain of quality, safety and delivery.

Southampton Port E108/9 Freight Terminal and Rail Extension

Project Principles and Objectives

Ryebridge was awarded the project by competitive tender in July 2022.The objective of the project was to turn 55,000sqm (19 acres) of port area which was formally warehouses, (subsequently demolished) into a multi-use high and heavy freight terminal.

In addition new modular offices and parking area for the operators of the site Solent Stevedores.

Within the site itself was the construction of large bays to facilitate the repair and maintenance of containers. A complete new drainage system for the area was to be designed and installed including four interceptors and 3,000m of Gatic drainage.

To improve the operational capacity of the site when complete, the final phase of the works include a rail extension and platform area.

In addition outside the working area the project also included improvements to West Bay Road and reconstruction of the roundabout between West Bay Road and Western Avenue.

Project Works and Key Quantities

Ryebridge was tasked with creating a design for concrete hard standing to be able to withstand heavy loads in the form of five full containers or seven empty containers. The design standards were Knaptons paving design for ports.

The main challenge was that the site had to be flexible and joints needed to be able to withstand potential point loads of 1240kn.

Ryebridge designed a 370mm fibre reinforced solution with dowels and to achieve the programme poured 20m long bays and averaged between 250m3 to 450m3 of concrete hand laid and brush finished a day.

Project quantities:
Earth Works (Cut & Fill) 14,000m3
Gatic Drainage 3,000m
Concrete (370mm Steel Fibre Reinforced 20,000m3
Tarmac surfacing 3,000m2
Electrical Ducting 10,000m
Electrical Pits 90no.
Retaining Walls 1500m
High Security Fencing 1000m
Interceptors 4no.
New Tarmac Car Park 2,100m2
New high mast lights 4no.
New rail platform 150m

Innovation and Best Practice

The concrete design was developed from mesh to fibre reinforced with dowels to allow Ryebridge to lay a larger volume of concrete a day. The fibre solution removing the mesh saved time and it also allowed for larger bays.

The concrete broken up onsite was recycled and used as fill material therefore reducing emissions cost and time. The rail sidings were pre-cast onsite enabling Ryebridge to remove the need to import pre cast units.

Moving Forward

Ryebridge is continuing to gain experience in ports and is currently working on a major development for ABP at Marchwood Port. The project is the design and build of new automotive storage area, hard and heavy paved areas and S278 works and construction of new security gatehouse.

Hat Gardens Open Lea project

National Building and Construction Project of the Year Award winner

Project Principals and Objectives

Part of the Open Lea project, Hat Gardens saw the transformation of a disused car park into an asset of community value by opening up the concealed river culvert. The project was secured by competitive tender at RIBA stage 3. Ryebridge was to undertake a full design and build including responsibility for three significant risks:

o Design completion.

o Contaminated ground (site investigations had identified this).

o Environmental Agency approval/sign off. All works delivered on budget with all funding milestones achieved.

The car park had been forced to close after a structural defect was identified in the culvert, and although there was a repair budget available, the costs were prohibitively high so it was kept shut and the area became a wasteland. The site was known to have issues with flooding, with risks to nearby housing and businesses if the culvert collapsed, but there was also a sheer lack of green space in the town centre for local residents and workers, so council officers discussed rejuvenating the area by opening up the river and turning it into a park, helping to restore the rare chalk stream which makes up the Lea and tying into a town centre masterplan for the next 20 years. The council identified that the £1.6m scheme could be part-financed using European Regional Development funding, and so it worked up the concept, secured planning permission and opened it up for tender, with Ryebridge Construction winning the bid.

PROJECT WORKS AND KEY QUANTITIES

• Bulk Excavation 1,930m3 • Retaining Walls/Head walls 2no. 30m3 East Headwall and 35m3 West • Gabion Baskets 140m3 • Landscaping 642m2 • Large Trees 7no. • Block Paving 332m2 • Resin Bound Paving 123m2 • Bespoke Stone copings along renewed River Walls 70m • Roads and Taxi Rank 355m2

Innovation and best practice

The works involved removing the existing lid to the river, building new head walls and retaining walls, and constructing new stepped seating and a planted terrace populated with carefully selected vegetation designed to boost wildlife. It was not a standard building project, and part of the work involved diverting the river using piping to access the culvert itself, which was then removed and replaced, forming a new bank and terrace for the river. The scheme involved having to consider adjoining highways and clearing areas of contamination left behind on the site, with Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems incorporated into the design alongside soft and hard landscaping. The project involved close liaison with the Environment Agency to ensure compliance working alongside and over an extremely rare chalk stream. An archaeologist was also present to follow the progress of the excavation works and see if any historical elements were found, adding an extra element to the works.

Moving forward

The site was designed to offer opportunities for various community uses including as a outdoor classroom, a place for mini-concerts, or with a cinema screen on the far bank. The success of the initial project triggered plans for further pocket parks along the river, not only to help with flooding, social impact and wellbeing, but to re-introduce some of the biodiversity and ecological infrastructure back into the town centre. In November 2023 the Hat Gardens was awarded National Building and Construction Project of the Year Award winner. Ryebridge is well placed to deliver these schemes.

Gibraltar Airport Runway Extension

Ryebridge Construction was contracted for this project to Concrete, Saw cut and joint sealing and Manhole construction.

PROJECT PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES

Ryebridge Construction was awarded the contract for the construction of concrete slabs for Gibraltar Airport, secured by competitive tender. Ryebridge has more than 15 year’s experience working in restrictive operationally constrained environments such as airports and this experience was invaluable in successful delivering the project. The fundamental objective was to ensure that the works were successfully completed without any operational impact for the client. The airport was in constant use and ensuring no operations were in any way affected was essential to this success.

QUANTITIES AND SIGNIFICANT OPERATIONS

• Mobilised experienced concrete teams from the UK

• Transported and machinery

• Formwork, manhole construction, concrete, laying and finishing

• Nights concrete works on average 200m3 per night shift

• Saw cut and sealing on days

INNOVATION AND BEST PRACTICE

Experience of working with specific responsibilities in a phased project meant Ryebridge was ideally placed to successfully deliver all works on-time and to budget. Best practice was gained from working in an airside environment where the public and the client meet.

The project also presented the challenge of programming within a minimal mobilisation period and a requirement from the client to gain back possession as early as possible to release the pressure on the existing parking facility.

MOVING FORWARD

The success in this project reinforces Ryebridge’s commitment to early engagement and a close partnership with clients, this ability to build relationships and add value was evidenced successfully throughout the project.

Due to the success and the experience gained from completing this project, in the future Ryebridge will be willing to work more abroad to gain greater experience of working in new environments.

Ryebridge Brochure and Time Lapse Videos

London Luton Airport Soil Screening

Ryebridge Construction was contracted as civils company to cover three phases of consented Environmental Agency permitted screening and compaction works.

Project Principles and Objectives

The fundamental principle and objective of these works were to design and construct a programme across three phases to remediate an existing bunded stockpile. The existing bund was to be tested, screened and repositioned following the highway standard for compaction, drainage and top-soiling. As Principal Contractor, responsibilities included management, compliance and discharge of all planning conditions. In addition to this, the successful engagement, liaison and coordination with the Environmental Agency was a key objective.

Project Works and Key Quantities

The top-level scope of works was to screen the stockpiled excavated material defined as stockpile S1A west. The volume involved was approximately 106,500m3 of material. The soil testing exercise identified hotspots and material to be removed off-site, as well as material that could be placed in a quarantine area and remediated, retested, and then placed in the bund.

Essential key works:

• Install new temporary air-side fence

• Bore holes (36) and soil testing

• Creation of a quarantine hard-standing area with hazardous and non-hazardous waste areas

• Removal of hotspots to go off-site

• Remediated soil to be located in quarantine areas and treated twice weekly

• Screen material and separate wood, plastics, metals and large stone/concrete

• Recycling concrete and stone arising from the screening

• Screened material less than 150mm moved to new bund

• Bund compacted with pad foot roller in accordance with specification for highway works

• Install 150m of 350mm perforated land drain with headwall and catch pits

• Nominal Topsoil covering throughout at a level to discourage habitats and vermin

• Reinstate air-side fence to new position

• Total project man-hours in excess of 10,000 with no accidents or incidents.

• All works were completed on time and to budget.

Innovation and Best Practice (VE)

The remediation strategy was a success, ensuring just four loads left site as hazardous material. The recycled material is available for use on projects around the Airport, reducing the lorry movements on-site and saving cost for the Airport on projects.

Careful planning and sequencing of works minimised the haulage movements on-site. Despite losing nearly a month due to poor weather the reduction in movements ensured no extension of programme.

Terminal Drainage London Luton Airport

The Challenge

The fundamental principle and objective of these works were to design and construct a means to repair a failed section of surface water pipe located within a critical area and 3m below ground level.

The location of the pipe work was such that an innovative and dynamic approach to reconstruction was required with significant operational and environmental constraints.

Scope of Works

The original scope of works included trench excavation for the entire run. This required significant temporary works internally, with structures created within a concessions unit to segregate the works from staff and the public. The temporary structure was to extend outwards with the dig.

Due to the disruption and cost of this approach Ryebridge designed a methodology which not only saved cost and time but minimised disruption to the retail outlets.

This method involving Thrust boring under the landside area travelling the 13-metre distance under the retail unit to a manhole in the main terminal. The project involved an exposed 20m trench at a depth of 3 metres up to the boundary wall of the retail unit from the central search area.

Then the Manhole was set-up with a concrete installed wall to facilitate the Thrust bore for the remaining run under the retail outlet and into the main terminal.

Essential key works:

• Site set-up with noise reducing hoarding and security access gate

• Liaison with airport stakeholders around life safety system, alarms etc.

• Saw cut and break out concrete using electric BROKK

• Machine and hand dig trench to depth of three metres

• On night works remove spoil through terminal. Over 100 tonnes manually removed

• Install trench sheets

• 20 metres new drain run

• Install two new manholes

• Install concrete back-wall for thrust bore

• Thrust bore 13 metres

• Manhole connections

• Reinstate, concrete floor tiling

• CCTV to prove run

All works were completed on time and to budget.

Luton and Dunstable Hospital Staff Car Parks (East & West)

The Luton and Dunstable Hospital is undergoing a major redevelopment over the next 5 years. The creation of two temporary staff car parks was always part of the plan but due to the pandemic, the car parks became critical due to the volume of patients and staff needing access to the Hospital.

The project was to create two staff car parks in just 6 weeks as these were needed to be in full use by Christmas. This included section 278 works and two new Bell mouth entrances. This is from site clearance through to handover. An exceptionally challenging project where the only chance of success was through constructing both simultaneously.

Project Works and Key Quantities

Works to create these car parks included but was not limited to: -

• Full site set up and compound

• Excavate topsoil strip and site clearance

• Reduce dig excavation to car parking areas and cart away.

• Place and compact sub-base material.

• Drainage installation

• Kerbs

• Section 278 works and two entrance Bell mouths

• Installation of lighting, including construction of bases for columns, installation of columns and associated electrical cabling in ducting

• Car park services CCTV, ANPR, Barriers etc.

• Asphalt surfacing

• Line marking

Designing greater capacity

The original plan by the designers had cars in Car Park B along the right-hand side parked nose to tail. Using knowledge and experience Ryebridge encouraged the client to allow Ryebridge to revisit the design. Ryebridge proposed a reconfiguration of both car parks still allowing for the required two metre lanes creating forty new spaces across both car parks. This increased the capacity of the car parks by 22 spaces at no extra cost to the client.

Runway Duct and Bay Replacements, Bristol International Airport

Project Principles and Objectives

Alongside works at many other UK Airports, Ryebridge has been the Framework Contractor for London Luton Airport for 9 years and their Maintenance Contractor for 10 years. This project involved the essential installation of a new duct under the runway and replacement of 6 defective bays.

Project Works and Key Quantities

Under a runway closure the works needed to be fully completed in two full shifts. The first shift involved rock wheel excavation, duct installation and concrete. The second shift was planing and surfacing.

The defective bays were all replaced in three days with saw cutting, excavating, dowels to adjacent bays, concrete and joint sealing.

Works comprised of:

• Rock-wheeling across Runway for new ducts

• Excavation in soft areas to extend ducts to pits

• Filling and stabilising existing duct with Geobear filling around existing live cable

• Diamond drill into pits

• Fill duct to stabilise – live cable

• Saw cut conc, rock-wheel, angle drill dowels PQ, dig out, concrete

• Angle drill dowels into existing adjacent pavement

• PQ Concrete reinstatement

• Saw cutting and sealing

Innovation and Best Practice (VE)

Experience of working in airside environments and managing a significant volume of subcontractors is essential. In addition to this, gaining such knowledge over time spent completing these works has reinforced our ability to plan for things that would not be expected. Ryebridge is solution focused, adaptable and client centric.

Following every major project Ryebridge reviews completed works and lessons gained. This process of continuous improvement means every year we are evolving and improving. This application of best practice also applies to our subcontractors. We constantly review subcontractors and while we generally work with a small but trusted group of subcontractors, this changes and evolves to best meet the needs of our clients.

Moving Forward

The success in this project reinforces our commitment to early engagement and a close partnership with our clients. Our clients can be certain that we have their objectives at the centre of what we do. In this particular project we are extremely proud that our ability to build relationships and add value to our clients is evidenced successfully throughout.

Manton Lane Footbridge, Bedford

Background

Manton Lane is a busy link road connecting into the A6 towards Bedford from the north. The road hosts retail outlets, industrial units, residential houses and Bedford Modern School. The main site of Bedford Modern School is situated on onside of the road with its playing filed across the road. The road has various crossing points but had been identified for a footbridge for some time due to concerns over high use of crossing points. There were ongoing safety concerns as students congregate on the footpath in large numbers waiting to cross. Ryebridge was awarded by competitive tender, the design, build and installation of the footbridge in late 2019.

Project Principles and Objectives

The programme designed by Ryebridge was to work simultaneously on both plots. Setting up a compound on onside of the road allowing for safe access and egress. Both plots were cleared and secured over a half term break utilizing the quieter time and ensuring that when students returned the area was demarcated. The road closure for the bridge install was completed over a weekend, again to minimize impact on the school and commuters.

Our Approach

The project itself was always going to be challenging with a high volume of stakeholders but was made much more challenging due to the pandemic. This had implications on workers, supply chain and general site management to ensure that all workers kept safe. CITB training undertaken by site team and a Covid Safe site was instigated. There were challenges through outbreaks in the factory and the design team working from home. Our approach was to pro-actively communicate and address and challenges or concerns in an open and honest manner.

Scope of works included:

• Site Clearance

• Piling (32 per side)

• Foundations and bases

• Drainage including soak-away construction

• Bridge tie in to footpath

• Palisade fencing

Under road closure the following:

• Traffic management

• Delivery and installation of deck/stairs supports

• Delivery and installation of bridge span

Innovation and Best Practice

By designing and managing the progamme effectively Ryebridge was able to install the bridge in two visits. The ensure the impact to the School and local users and commuters was negligible. Foundations and bases completed in quarter 4 of 2020. Bridge span at the end of quarter 1 of 2021.

The project was awarded a RoSPA Silver Award, recognising the highest standard of Health and Safety within the project.

Moving Forward

The success in this project reinforces our commitment to early engagement and a close partnership with our clients. Our clients can be certain that we have their objectives at the centre of what we do. In this particular project we are extremely proud that our ability to build relationships and add value to our clients is evidenced successfully throughout.

Ryebridge is currently looking to develop its strategy towards securing similar schemes across the UK.

Allhallows, Bedford Public Realm Works

Background

Allhallows Bedford is a busy retail and commercial street based in the heart of Bedford. Allhallows spans from St Loyes through to Silver Street and is approximately a quarter of a kilometre long. It has over 40 retail outlets including cafés, banks, estate agents and essential pedestrian access to Bedford Bus Station. In addition, there are a number of businesses located in the first-floor level and also there are a number of residential flats located along Allhallows.

Alongside pedestrians the site is accessed by vehicles for deliveries and disabled parking.

Project Principles and Objectives

Fundamentally the principle objective was to reconstruct and redevelop the area while still allowing business to trade and pedestrians to move safely around the area.

This is while ensuring deliveries were unhindered to retailers and the bus station and managing waste collections.

Our Approach

Ryebridge developed a detailed and robust plan for the works to include phasing and programme which needed effective communication with all stakeholders.

Prior to taking possession of the area Ryebridge had appointed a communications liaison and a company to manage social media portals to include a closed Facebook Group and Twitter profile. Door to door visits had taken place and a full data capture exercise was completed.

For the first phase of construction there was a 24 hour Gate Man employed while Ryebridge got to understand vehicle movements. In addition there was daily communication via email and face to face visits. Ryebridge took the decision to hire a shop front on the street to operate out of. This facilitated ongoing dialogue and gave retailers and members of the public a place to visit with queries.

Moving Forward

The success in this project reinforces our commitment to early engagement and a close partnership with our clients. Our clients can be certain that we have their objectives at the centre of what we do. In this particular project we are extremely proud that our ability to build relationships and add value to our clients is evidenced successfully throughout. Ryebridge is currently looking to develop its strategy for more Public Realm works.

See more details below.

London Luton Airport Goods in Waste Away

In late October 2019 Ryebridge was awarded the construction of a new Goods in Waste Away area at London Luton Airport. The award was by competitive tender and was valued at just over £1m.

Ryebridge has been the Framework Contractor for London Luton Airport for 8 years and their Maintenance Contractor for 10 years. The fundamental principles and objectives of these works were to design and construct a new centralised large capacity Goods in Waste Away area adjacent to the main terminal. The works were carried out in a busy environment while keeping the exiting waste away area live.

In addition to this the area pre-development could not handle large lorries and had a waste away facility that was aged and in need of repair and upgrading.

Project Works and Key Quantities

The works were detailed and complex and required extensive collaboration with key stakeholders, such as airport operations, existing waste away area which needed to be kept live and the bus pick up area close to site.

Scope of works included:

·        Install Hostile Vehicle bollards

·        Construct retaining wall to separate passengers from work area

·        Demolition and removal of old substation room

·        Reprofile surrounding pavements

·        Install new drainage, services inclusive of street lighting data and CCTV

·        New water supply

·        New concrete hard standing area 4,000sq. metres

·        New kerns and PCC edgings

·        Install new screen fence

·        Install new access control barrier system with an airlock system

·        Rising bollards

·        New signage, line marking

Innovation and Best Practice

Experience of working in airside environments and managing a significant volume of subcontractors is essential. In addition to this, gaining such knowledge over time spent completing these works has reinforced our ability to plan for things that would not be expected. Ryebridge is solution focused, adaptable and client centric.

On this project as it developed it was clear that working alongside the busy bus station was going to be difficult. All works in that area were moved to nights. This ensures that works did not impact on airport operations and pedestrians.

In order to ensure that the waste area could stay live for the full duration of the works we relocated it to a temporary area. This ensured that the service could be maintained, and staff could work unhindered. This included welfare for all staff.

London Luton Airport Runway Maintenance

Ryebridge has been the Framework Contractor for London Luton Airport for 8 years and their Maintenance Contractor for 10 years. The fundamental principle and objectives of these essential repairs is to safely maintain the life cycle of the runway and taxiways with minimal impact on ongoing airport operations.

Works vary depending on the need and Ryebridge supports LLA with an annual review in the summer highlighting repairs required in the Nightworks.

All works to be complete on-time and free of FOD.

Works vary depending on the wear and tear of the taxiways and runways. Annually there is a full airside review with airside operations and works are agreed.

Following this review Ryebridge is given the task of planning the works in full, from integrating with airside operations and runway closures through to work permits, security passes and all required subcontractors.

Most recent works in November included managing over 50 subcontractor operatives, 30 vehicles, security passes access and full onsite management at all times.

Typical works include:

•             Runway and taxiway patching

•             Runway hard shoulder strengthening with a no fines concrete and porous tarmac as there was a carrier drain underneath

•             Re slotting of AGL cables and cans

•             New stop bars

•             Over banding and milling of cracks to asphalt

•             Rubber removal

Car Park Extension at Copse Court, Peterborough

Ryebridge was awarded the contract to deliver the Car Park extension, secured by competitive tender. Ryebridge has over ten years’ experience working in restrictive operationally constrained environments such as airports and this experience was invaluable in successfully delivering this project. The fundamental objective was to ensure that the works were successfully completed with no operational impact for the client. The Police Station and offices were in constant use and ensuring no operations were in any way effected were essential to success.

Experience of working with specific responsibilities in a phased project meant we were ideally placed to successfully deliver our works on-time and to budget. Best practice gained from working in an airside environment where public and client movement is critical in terms of safety and security was employed throughout. Clear signage and walkways were in place and all deliveries and works traffic were managed around the needs of the station and surrounding areas. For the duration of the project the Police Station and other buildings remained operationally sound. The construction of the new car park facility as mentioned was to be delivered in a phased manner and released back to the client for their use on sectional completion. This, along with the demands of working in a secure and sensitive environment, required an open collaborative approach towards delivering the project. The project also presented a challenge with regards to programming with a minimal mobilisation period and a requirement from the client to gain possession as early as possible to release the pressure on the existing parking facility.

• Construction of a new car parking facility for approximately 100 spaces covering an area of 2,630m2

• Four areas consisting of permeable block-work and asphalt surfacing

• Installation of new car park lighting and controlled entry/ exit system

• Installation of a sustainable drainage system

New Taxiway at St. Mary's Airport, Isle of Scilly

Project Principals and Objectives

The airport required a new taxiway from the runway to the apron alongside the existing terminal building to accommodate additional air traffic. Due to the nature and location of the site at St. Mary’s Airport the design approach was based upon a plastic reinforced grass paving system that relies on the ground conditions being capable of withstanding the design loading profiles from the critical aircraft.

The scheme was awarded on a 40% quality and 60% cost evaluation basis and through this Ryebridge was able to demonstrate a history of successfully delivering numerous infrastructure projects in a challenging airport environment, both on landside and airside.

Principal Operations

• Re-profiling of existing ground levels to suit new taxiway surface levels

• Sub base construction

• Installation of approx. 1,500m2 of Groundtrax Anchored Paving System

• Concrete tie ins to existing runway and apron

• Relocation of existing Airport Ground Lighting

Harwich Port Freight Entrance Works

Ryebridge Construction was awarded the contract to deliver the Port of Harwich Entrance works, secured by competitive tender. Ryebridge has over ten years’ experience working in restrictive operationally constrained environments such as Airports and this experience was invaluable in successfully delivering the project.

The fundamental objective was to ensure that the works were successfully completed with no ongoing operational impact for the client. The existing freight entrance was adjacent to the new entrance and it was business critical that the main entrance and surrounding areas were kept operational.

• Installation of service ducting

• Demolition of existing control facility

• Construction of insitu RC foundation and base slab for new facility

• Re-configuration of existing Port entrance involving kerbing, drainage, asphalt surfacing, road marking and security fencing

• Installation of new control facility canopy building

• Relocation of all IT and electrical control systems

London Luton Airport £9.4m Foxtrot taxiway and de-icing facility

The new taxiway is 520m long, and required 6,000m3 of concrete and 110,000 hours to complete. 9km of electric cables connect the 150 LED lights on the new taxiway.

Taxiway Foxtrot also includes one of the largest remote de-icing facilities in Europe.  The facility can de-ice up to seven planes at once and incorporates 600m of drainage to ensure that all de-icing liquid is captured and disposed of safely. This will help the airport to maintain on-time departures during exceptionally cold weather. 

4,000m3 of earth was re-used during the construction phase and the taxiway has been designed to capture de-icing fluids for recycling.

Neil Thompson, Operations Director at LLA said: “This new taxiway will enable us to efficiently manage the ever-increasing number of aircraft that use the airport. The de-icing facility will also help us to and our airline partners to deliver punctual departures year round, whatever the weather.” 

The project was recognised by both RoSPA and Green Apple.

Project Works and Key Quantities

• Establishment of site boundary to land side site Excavation and remediation of historic landfill

• 6,500m2 Dynamic compaction and stabilization

• 20,000m3 Bulk excavation

• 15,000m3 New drainage system, including 1,750m3 attenuation tank New AGL pit and duct system Supply and installation of new jet blast fence

• 180m Supply and installation of new high mast lights including foundations

• 5No Type 1 – 11,000m3 Supply and lay lean mix concrete

• 3,000m3 Supply and lay PQ concrete

• 5,450m3 Reinforced PAV 2 Concrete

• 2,450m3 Pavement design and tie into existing taxiways – 3 locations – 3 bell mouths within restricted working hours and operational restrictions Installation of new AGL’s

• Man Hours Worked – 97,600hrs

• Incidents – 0 Cable Strikes – 0

Completed on time and under budget.