Our Rother Tidal Walls-East project has scored 48/45 in a recent Considerate Constructors Scheme audit. The project received the full 15 marks in each of the three key areas plus an additional three best practice points.
The team received its first best practice point for their use of a spider excavator. One section of the works has limited space for construction and no space for widening the embankment. Instead, a 5m-deep steel sheet pile wall is being installed through the embankment crest using the spider excavator. This excavator not only stabilises itself on the embankment slope without an engineered platform but also has the power to lift and drive a 5m long steel sheet pile.
The flexibility and stability of the spider excavator, equipped with four independent wheels and out-riggers, enables it to achieve piling outputs nearly the same as traditional methods. The use of the spider plant was supported by funding from the Environment Agency’s Net Zero Carbon Innovation Pathway Fund 2023/24.
Another best practice point was awarded for using warm lay tarmac on the site compound carpark, this provided a carbon saving of up to 15% per tonne. The use of warm lay tarmac helps to decrease associated health and safety concerns as the risk of burns is lessened, it also increases air quality and visibility on-site as this method creates less fumes and steam, in comparison to the traditional method. The lower temperature of this tarmac reduces its cooling time, meaning there is less impact to road users and more material can be laid per shift. The concrete also has a longer life expectancy and increased durability due to a reduction in the binder aging needed during manufacture.
The third best practice point was awarded for their change in design, to use all ECOSheetPileTM Plus piles throughout the project, significantly reducing carbon. The new EcoSheetPileTM Plus brand is a part of the XCarbTM recycled and renewably produced initiative and the piles are made using 100% recycled materials and renewable electricity.
VolkerStevin’s Carlise phase 1 Flood Defence Scheme and the Padiham Flood Risk Management Scheme have also received full marks in their recent CCS audits, congratulations to both teams!
