Berwick Green, Cribbs Patchway

This complex scheme next to the M5 in Bristol has involved significant traffic management on the A4018 dual carriageway to enable the remodelling of the existing, and the construction of new, junctions during live flow conditions. When completed, these will provide access to a new significant housing development. Montel is also constructing the bulk earthworks and primary infrastructure across this 50-hectare site. The A4018 provides a strategic link between the M5 and the south and west of Bristol and as well as the Cribbs Causeway “Mall” retail centre being within a kilometre of the project, there are a large number of commercial properties fronting onto the dual carriageway.

The network is busy at all times, both with motor vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians; exacerbated by the fact that it is also a bus route into Bristol city centre. Through early dialogue with South Gloucestershire Council, Montel’s works phasing and associated traffic management was compiled and implemented with the traffic flows being a major constraint – with the sequencing used by us done to so accommodate the more extensive requirements of the local highway’s networks. The wider works included in the project consisted of:

• Construction of two major Section 278 traffic signalised junctions on the A4018.
• Construction of a new roundabout.
• Re-modelling of a further, existing, junction.
• Construction of 2.5km of primary carriageway with all associated drainage, foul water pumping station, over 400,000m³ of bulk earthworks and footpaths.

The highway works have required the direct liaison with all Statutory Undertakers due to the presence of numerous and significant utilities along the existing highway. Through early contractor involvement (ECI) Montel were made aware of the presence of all known services and were able to coordinate and manage the protection or diversion works necessary to allow the permanent works to be safely undertaken. These services were exposed through a combination of trial holes, vacuum-excavation, and hand excavation and were either diverted or protected as dictated by the asset owner.

For this complex highway’s project we invested significant time assisting our client with tender stage programme phasing, value engineering, and budget costing to ensure that the procured scheme offered the optimum solution. Phasing and traffic management plans were compiled, tabled, and discussed face-to-face at regular meetings with the South Gloucestershire highways and network management teams, the design team (Phoenix Design Partnership) and representatives of the Statutory Undertakers, with Gantt-chart programmes produced which were also instrumental to understanding the durations associated with each phase of the works.

To further assist our client, and to help them discharge their planning obligations, Montel also provided both Construction Phase Health & Safety and Construction Environment Management Plans for submission to the local authority. The latter of these provided a narrative as to how we anticipated to manage the site and the local environment, and our project team then instigated and proactively managed meetings with the teams from South Gloucestershire Council – and their interested stakeholders (such as the bus companies) – to discuss and agree traffic management sequencing, durations, and methodology in advance of the project starting.

Montel work collaboratively with our clients to ensure that all works are managed in a manner which provides confidence to our clients and their teams.

29/07/2022

This week we have surfaced three sections of infrastructure roads to enable a start to be made by the Developer on their first three plots.  We have completed the trimming and finishing works to The Triangle site road works and are on course to complete the final main Highway surfacing works over 2 nighshifts in 2 weeks’ time.  Mains water and Gas installations are 90% complete through Road 1 and GTC have connected Bellways compound electricity supply.

On the A4018 Highway works after Bristol Water completed their section of works on the southbound carriageway, we have recommenced at the Laurels junction central reservation and are 90% complete in bringing the main site foul sewer outfall to its final connection in the site entrance opposite Passage Road.

08/07/2022

Montel have been advised that Bristol Water will complete their mains diversion week commencing 11^th July, which will allow us to move into the final phase of the traffic signalised junctions. It is anticipated that these will be completed late Autumn 2022. In order to carry out the final surfacing works, it will be necessary to implement further lane and road closures – these will be advertised when specific dates have been agreed with the local authority.

Why are the works needed?

The land in between the A4018 and the M5 at Berwick Green has been granted permission to construct over 760 residential units. Montel have been engaged by the developers to form the first phase of the primary infrastructure, in readiness for the subsequent house-building to commence.

What works are Montel undertaking?

Due to the scale of the scheme, there are many aspects to the works we’re carrying out, but the principal items are:

• The bulk earthworks to form the plateaux for the housing parcels. This has involved the trans-location of over 400,000m³ of material in order to cut and fill the various areas.
• The installation of over 5km of foul and storm water drainage networks.
• The introduction of four underground storage tank that will attenuate rain water and prevent surcharging of the nearby Henbury Trym watercourse.
• The upgrade of the junctions between the A4018 and both The Laurels and Passage Road – with new accesses into the development being incorporated off what will be newly signalised crossroads.
• The construction of over 2km of new carriageway to provide access routes to the development parcels.
• The facilitation of new communications, electric, gas and water utilities for the new housing – including off-site reinforcement works and sub-stations.

How long will the work take?

The project began in April 2021 and is expected to be completed late Autumn 2022.

Will there be a lot more traffic?

Unfortunately, but through necessity, we will need to have a significant number of deliveries made to site in order to provide the materials required to construct the works. It is our intention to use the most local suppliers we can in order to achieve this, but it will mean numerous additional vehicles will have to access and egress our site.

How will the traffic be controlled?

In order to provide safe environments for both members of the public and our own workforce, there will be extensive traffic management implemented along the A4018. All measures will have been agreed with the South Gloucestershire Highways team prior to implementation – and it will be inspected (at least twice) daily by our specialist traffic management contractor.

What days will Montel be working?

Generally, Monday to Friday 7:30am to 6pm, and Saturdays between 07.30 and 13.00 – although there may be occasions where we need to work beyond this in order to complete specific activities. No works will be undertaken on Bank Holidays or Sundays.

Will there be a lot of mud, noise and dust?

Dust and noise is levels are monitored throughout the day. Our machinery has the latest technology in noise suppression, and the type of works required should produce minimal dust. We will be carrying out regular cleaning of the roads to ensure that these are kept as clean as possible at all stages of the infrastructure construction.