Leicestershire based architects, IMA Architects, has successfully delivered a brand-new, purpose-built gymnastics facility for Rugby Gymnastics Club. IMA has been part of a team including KAM Project Consultants and BWB, on behalf of Sport England, that has worked with the Gymnastics Club to realise the 19,655 square foot scheme at
The £300 million transformation of Candleriggs Square in Glasgow’s Merchant City has reached another significant development milestone with the completion of structural work for a 346-apartment build-to-rent (BTR) complex, forward funded by Legal & General. Candleriggs Development 2 Limited – the joint venture between Drum Property Group and Stamford Property
Panattoni, the largest logistics real estate developer in the UK and Europe, has submitted plans for a speculative 80,000 sq ft last-mile logistics development in the sought-after Heathrow area, after purchasing the site in Q1 this year. The detailed planning application for Panattoni Poyle 80 is for a net zero
International property and construction consultancy Gleeds has recently completed the transformation of its Manchester office. The project was undertaken by workplace consultancy and interior fit-out specialists, Blueprint interiors and will allow the business to remain in its city centre location. Situated at Abbey House on Mosely Street, Gleeds opted for renovation as
Construction is underway on the first of over 2,000 new, sustainable homes as part of the major regeneration of Cambridge Road Estate in Norbiton. The landmark scheme, voted for overwhelmingly by residents in a ballot in 2020, will deliver more than 2,100 homes — a mix of flats, maisonettes and
Construction, property, and facilities company, The Sovini Group, are investing in a ‘Greener Living’ campaign to support their 850 colleagues, as part of its ongoing net-zero carbon commitment. The initiative supports the Group’s vision to create a better future for their customers, colleagues, and the communities they serve. In line
Barratt Homes Yorkshire East has announced the launch of the first homes for sale at its brand new 120-home development in Bridlington. Called The Sands, the coastal development will comprise a selection of two, three and four-bedroom energy-efficient homes and feature 12 of Barratt Homes’ signature house types. Located on
Thames Water has selected Barhale to reinforce a section of what was once believed to the longest tunnel in Europe and a key source of raw water for East London. The strategically important Thames Lee Tunnel (TLT) was built between 1955 and 1959 to carry water from the River Thames
UK and Ireland specialist paving and building products company, AG has welcomed three new recruits to its growing workforce. AG Appoints new Head of Sales for Scotland UK and Ireland specialist paving and building products company, AG, has appointed James Jack as Head of Sales for Scotland. James brings with him over 25 years’
Improving concrete preparation productivity on large scale outdoor applications Transportation infrastructure is vital to the health of the UK economy. Whether it’s commuters driving on motorways every day, or tourists travelling by air, we rely on transport networks to get us from A to B. Consistently maintaining this critical infrastructure
Leicestershire based architects, IMA Architects, has successfully delivered a brand-new, purpose-built gymnastics facility for Rugby Gymnastics Club. IMA has been part of a team including KAM Project Consultants and BWB, on behalf of Sport England, that has worked with the Gymnastics Club to realise the 19,655 square foot scheme at its new home on Kilsby Lane. IMA Architects was part of the design and delivery team consisting of main contractors, Wilten Construction and Civil and Structural Engineers, Jackson Purdue Lever. As Architectural Consultant, IMA oversaw the coordination of the project. Joe Travers, Associate Director at IMA Architects, said: “We have enjoyed working on this project to deliver a purpose-built gymnastic facility for a thriving club. At IMA we’re well known for our attention to detail and commercial awareness in seeing projects through to completion, and we have worked with Wilten as main contractor and the Gymnastic Club to produce a building which is both fit for purpose and financially viable, that accommodates the Gymnastics Club’s required layout.” Construction at the site started in August 2022 and practical completion for the first phase of works was achieved on 6th February 2023, with the Gymnastics Club due to relocate to its new home in the coming weeks. Simon Barnett, Project Manager at Wilten Construction comments: “The project has resulted in a massive improvement on the Club’s previous facilities which had become inadequate for the current needs of members. The new building allows them to have more gymnasts and facilitate holding their own events and competitions.” Rugby Gymnastics Club is a long-established Gymnastics Club in Warwickshire, which is dedicated to training young gymnasts, both boys and girls of all levels and ability from pre-school through recreational to elite standard and competitive squads. It offers children the opportunity to experience gymnastics in a safe and friendly environment with tuition provided by professional coaches. The new building will enable the Club to expand the sport into a wider community. With an estimated construction cost of £1.9m, the Club has generated the majority of the funds from the sale of its existing premises as well as various fundraising schemes and donations. It has also received circa £500,000 in funding from Sport England. Anyone interested in supporting the project with donations to help fund internal fit out and contribute to the rest of the venture is encouraged to contact the Club directly. Gill McKee, Development Director at Rugby Gymnastics Club comments: “We are thrilled with our new home and can’t wait to fully move in. We are an ambitious club with over 1,000 members so needed an amazing facility to match our aspirations. We currently have a waiting list of 500 gymnasts, so the new facilities will allow us to approve more memberships and provide gymnastics facilities to more people in the local area.” Lucy Litwinko, Director at KAM Project Consultants Ltd comments: “We are pleased to see the project come to fruition, on time and on budget. We hope that the facilities will inspire the next generation of Team GB athletes in the future. It would be fantastic to know one of the gymnasts started their careers at the facility we had a role in creating.” IMA is an award-winning firm of architects based in Blaby, Leicestershire. The firm, which celebrated its 25 Anniversary last year, has grown from a two-person team, to now employ 18 members of staff and work with a range of FTSE 100 companies, such as Marks and Spencer, and global brands such as Lidl. The company is a proud Community Partner of Leicester City Football Club and a sponsorship partner of both Leicester Tigers RFC and Leicestershire County Cricket Club. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The £300 million transformation of Candleriggs Square in Glasgow’s Merchant City has reached another significant development milestone with the completion of structural work for a 346-apartment build-to-rent (BTR) complex, forward funded by Legal & General. Candleriggs Development 2 Limited – the joint venture between Drum Property Group and Stamford Property Investments – first agreed a deal with Legal & General Investment Management Real Assetsin 2020 to bring the £81.5 million apartment complex to the 3.6-acre Candleriggs Square site, lying at the heart of the city’s popular Merchant City area. Designed to meet the growing post-lockdown demand for affordable and high-quality city centre rental accommodation in vibrant city centre locations, the 325,000 sq. ft building will provide 346 apartments together with a range of retail and commercial units at ground floor level creating an attractive and accessible public realm. A generous entrance lobby will open onto Glasgow’s Trongate, giving direct access to a communal landscaped courtyard at the first-floor level, while a range of roof terraces will provide spectacular views across the city. The ‘Topping Out’ of the building marks a new high point of the much-anticipated regeneration of the Candleriggs Square site. Also currently under construction is the 500-room hotel and leisure complex owned and operated by the pioneering hotel brand The Social Hub – formerly known as The Student Hotel Group – which is due for completion later this year. Senior representatives from Drum, Legal & General and building contractor Graham Construction gathered to mark the occasion with a traditional Topping Out ceremony, each recording their signatures on the last concrete pour on the highest part of the building. Graeme Bone, Managing Director of Drum Property Group, welcomed the building’s structural completion as marking an exciting future for the city centre. “Our significant progress at Candleriggs Square is fast becoming a highly visible symbol of the regeneration of Glasgow’s Merchant City and the city centre as it continues its post-lockdown recovery,” he said. “The L&G development is testament to the commitment and confidence we have placed in both the Candleriggs Square site and Glasgow city centre during very challenging times for our industry. It represents a significant step forward in the long-awaited regeneration of one Glasgow’s most prominent gap sites, driving forward the evolution of Candleriggs Square which has quickly established itself as one of Scotland’s largest and most important commercial and residential development sites. This will be a huge boost to the area and to local businesses and we can now look forward to bringing back to life a very special area which has always been at the centre of Glasgow’s commercial and social development.” Dan Batterton, Head of Residential at Legal & General Investment Management Real Assets, added: “We are proud to be working again with Drum following our successful partnership on the Solasta Riverside scheme at Buchanan Wharf. Through our development at Candleriggs Square, we are providing renters with an opportunity to move into a well-designed, flexible living space at the heart of the city, as well as supporting the local council’s target of 2,500 new homes per year over the next decade.” Drum and Stamford’s joint venture launched the ambitious £300m plan to transform Candleriggs Square when they first bought the site in March 2019. Plans include a high-quality mixed-use scheme combining homes, offices, hotels, restaurants and local amenities, together with landscaped open spaces and accessible walkways with a new public square at its heart. The L&G residential complex will sit at the heart of Merchant City, one of Glasgow’s most desirable neighbourhoods and will help meet tenant demand for city centre housing which is located next to large employers. The development aims to create the best possible experience for renters, providing high-speed digital connectivity, dedicated workspace and exercise facilities – all of which are essential in a post-covid world. For more information on Candleriggs Square, visit: www.candleriggs-square.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Panattoni, the largest logistics real estate developer in the UK and Europe, has submitted plans for a speculative 80,000 sq ft last-mile logistics development in the sought-after Heathrow area, after purchasing the site in Q1 this year. The detailed planning application for Panattoni Poyle 80 is for a net zero carbon development that will be built to a BREEAM sustainability rating of ‘Excellent’ and an EPC rating of ‘A’ with enhanced sustainability credentials, including photovoltaic roof panels along with the roof capable of full PV array and 20% electric vehicle parking spaces. The facility will also feature single-storey, grade-A office accommodation, 12.5m clear internal height, 5 dock doors, 2 level access doors, 37 car parking and 24/7 unrestricted use. Subject to planning consent, completion of the facility is expected in the third quarter of 2024. Panattoni Poyle 80 is prominently located on Horton Road within 0.5km of junction 14 of the M25. Poyle is one of Greater London’s most established logistics locations owing to its direct access to the M25 and close proximity to Heathrow Airport’s passenger and cargo terminals and its last-mile connectivity with Europe’s largest consumer market, London. Alex Mitchell, Development Manager, South East and London, at Panattoni, said: “The team has worked hard to quickly bring forward plans to submit for the development following the purchase of the site Q1 this year. Poyle 80 is a rare ultra-urban, last-mile opportunity, providing immediate access to the UK’s largest cargo terminal at Heathrow Airport. It is one of the very few opportunities capable of this national coverage and we hope to be able to bring this forward in the next coming months”. Stephen Vickers, Commercial Delivery Director at Panattoni, said: “We are pleased to be moving forward on the delivery of the new site, with planning now submitted to deliver a sustainable facility for occupiers. Panattoni has reviewed the supply chain to make sure we are reducing our carbon output and delivering a net zero carbon development in construction. The facility will deliver a highly sustainable scheme to an excellent specification in a desired prime location”. Agents at Panattoni Poyle 80 are DTRE and ACRE Capital Real Estate. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
International property and construction consultancy Gleeds has recently completed the transformation of its Manchester office. The project was undertaken by workplace consultancy and interior fit-out specialists, Blueprint interiors and will allow the business to remain in its city centre location. Situated at Abbey House on Mosely Street, Gleeds opted for renovation as opposed to relocation in order to retain its connectivity, giving its 80-strong staff more options to walk, cycle, or use public transport to get to work. The refurbishment forms part of a wider strategy to create a unified yet unique style for all Gleeds UK sites, delivering offices that reflect regional cultures and traditions. The new layout incorporates a relaxed, welcoming area for visitors, collaboration and break out spaces, relaxation zones, and a workplace café to promote healthy eating and wellbeing. Versatile desk, seating, and meeting room arrangements with access to the latest high specification video conferencing and digital technology enable collaboration on a global basis. Brian McArdle, director at Gleeds said, “Blueprint Interiors has helped us to create a showcase office in Manchester. We now have a sustainable, fit for purpose space that has boosted morale and increased levels of employee engagement, making embracing hybrid working easier for all. By embedding more technology, we’re also enabling teams to collaborate more effectively across the UK and on international projects. This renovation has set a new corporate benchmark that will attract professionals to join us, impress our clients and be enjoyed by our employees.” Andy Sawyer, project director from Blueprint Interiors added, “The design principles were driven by a desire to provide a more open plan hybrid work environment that reflects the way people prefer to work has significantly changed. The office has also been designed to embrace the Gleeds vision and values in all areas to create an office space that inspires people to be happy and motivated to deliver their best work.” Blueprint Interiors has been working with senior leaders at Gleeds UK to achieve a unified yet unique style nationwide, starting with offices in Bristol and Manchester. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction is underway on the first of over 2,000 new, sustainable homes as part of the major regeneration of Cambridge Road Estate in Norbiton. The landmark scheme, voted for overwhelmingly by residents in a ballot in 2020, will deliver more than 2,100 homes — a mix of flats, maisonettes and houses. A total of 767 will be council homes — 114 more than currently on the estate. The new development, a joint venture between Kingston Council and development partner Countryside, will provide vital new local homes and will enhance the design of the estate so it is a greener, more pleasant place to live and visit. It is the first large-scale project of its kind in Kingston since the estate was first built and forms an essential part of the council’s plan to create more homes of different types, particularly council homes. At the groundbreaking ceremony to mark the official start of construction (23 May), the Leader of Kingston Council, Andreas Kirsch, described the significance of the scheme for the borough. “Plans for the redevelopment of Cambridge Road Estate were drawn up in partnership with residents, and the community is at the heart of this scheme. This is a hugely significant moment for everyone involved as we all see the plans starting to become a reality. I can not tell you how important this is to me and the borough, as we deliver on the promise for residents – to deliver safer, warmer, greener homes for people. It is a significant step in our commitment to increase the amount of affordable housing in the borough and tackle climate change.” The new, high-quality homes will have strong sustainability credentials. The council is continuing its work with Thames Water to create England’s first district heat network to use heat from sewage treatment. Still in the early stages, the plan is for the heat network to connect to the new homes on the estate, supplying them with energy-efficient, affordable heating. The regeneration will also have wider benefits bringing new play areas and community facilities, as well as new jobs and local training opportunities. Poorvi Mehta lives on Cambridge Road Estate and is a member of the Community Board. She explained what the regeneration means to her and other residents:“The whole regeneration project is so important to all of us on the estate. A lot of the residents got involved. We helped to shape the project. Both the council and Countryside listened to the views of residents. I think we can honestly say we played a big part in shaping how the estate will look. “I’m most looking forward to having a new home, of course, but also to the community centre. It will be a great place for the community to get together, somewhere we can socialise – that’s my dream.”The council is also building 101 new low-cost and sustainable council homes on four under-utilised sites in the borough. The first of these is due to be completed imminently with residents moving in this summer, and our new Local Plan for the borough contains strong policies to ensure more affordable homes are built as part of new development projects in the future. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on 23 May at the phase 1 site at Cambridge Road Estate. Council Leader Andreas Kirsch and Portfolio Holder for Housing, Councillor Emily Davey, were joined by representatives from the Community Board, Countryside Partnerships, and the council’s regeneration team. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction, property, and facilities company, The Sovini Group, are investing in a ‘Greener Living’ campaign to support their 850 colleagues, as part of its ongoing net-zero carbon commitment. The initiative supports the Group’s vision to create a better future for their customers, colleagues, and the communities they serve. In line with this vision, the Group have provided colleagues with complimentary LED efficient lamps in a bid to reduce energy consumption and output within their homes. The lamps, which were supplied by Service Electrical Distributors (SED), an electrical wholesaler company who are also based in Bootle, were distributed by Group partner Sovini Trade Supplies, who have branches across the North West. Marc Redfern, Managing Director at Service Electrical Distributors LTD said: “We’re delighted to have partnered with Sovini Trade Supplies and The Sovini Group to provide an energy efficient solution for employees to benefit from beyond the workplace. With energy bills increasing, we believe adapting efficient lighting solutions can and will make a noticeable difference across their homes.” Independent building merchant, Sovini Trade Supplies proudly promote a culture of sustainability as they continually seek ways to strengthen their eco-friendly offering through the procurement of environmentally friendly materials. Alan Evans, Director of Operations at Sovini Trade Supplies said: “We actively seek ways to reduce our carbon footprint and energy consumption within our offices and beyond. With SED kindly donating lightbulbs to support our commitment to achieving net-zero carbon, we are now able to make a difference amongst our workforce.” Through the Greener Living campaign, The Sovini Group continuously encourage colleagues to adopt sustainable ways of running a household and supporting them to combat rising energy costs. The LED lamps function at 8.5w, compared to the previous 60w incandescent bulbs with the same lumen output. If they’re in use 12 hours a day, seven days a week, they offer a saving of £76 per year and £350 saving over the life of the lamp (20,000hrs.) This is an 85% energy saving using LED bulbs over the incandescent lamp. To read more about The Sovini Group’s end-to-end supply chain services and net-zero carbon commitment visit www.sovini.co.uk For more information on Sovini Trade Supplies visit www.sovinitradesupplies.co.uk and for more information on Service Electrical Distributors visit https://sedltd.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Barratt Homes Yorkshire East has announced the launch of the first homes for sale at its brand new 120-home development in Bridlington. Called The Sands, the coastal development will comprise a selection of two, three and four-bedroom energy-efficient homes and feature 12 of Barratt Homes’ signature house types. Located on Kingsgate just a short walk from Bridlington’s South Beach, The Sands is ideally situated offering a coastal location for a wide variety of buyers. With unrivalled access to East Yorkshire’s seaside towns and villages, The Sands also benefits from excellent commuter links to Driffield, Hull and York. The seaside development also benefits from excellent local amenities nearby such as shops including Morrisons and Lidl, pubs and restaurants including Burlington’s Restaurant and Lobster Pot, and schools such as Hilderthorpe Primary School just a short walk away. Interested buyers can now visit the sales office at the development with prices ranging from £272,000 for a three-bedroom semi-detached home and a four-bedroom detached home starting from £315,000. The highly anticipated show homes are also expected to open their doors this autumn. The development is also expected to create approximately 120 jobs for the area. Not only will the homes at The Sands be energy efficient, but the development will also boast a multitude of ecological measures including integrated bat tubes, sparrow terraces, bird boxes and built-in swift boxes. Selected plots also include electric vehicle charging points. Paul Hogan, Sales Director at Barratt Developments Yorkshire East commented: “We’re really pleased to be opening our sales office at The Sands. It is an exciting development in a fantastic coastal location and we’re looking forward to welcoming customers as they choose their new home in Bridlington. “With homes to suit a wide range of buyers, we expect The Sands to be incredibly popular and are excited to announce the opening of our show homes in the coming months.” The Sands is an energy-efficient development of two, three and four-bedroom homes available in Bridlington. To find out more about the launch and to register your interest, please visit: https://www.barratthomes.co.uk/new-homes/dev-002597-the-sands/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Thames Water has selected Barhale to reinforce a section of what was once believed to the longest tunnel in Europe and a key source of raw water for East London. The strategically important Thames Lee Tunnel (TLT) was built between 1955 and 1959 to carry water from the River Thames at Hampton Water Works to Lockwood Pumping Station at the Lee Valley Reservoir Chain. The 19-mile (31 km) tunnel, runs at a depth of 68 to 190 feet (21 to 58 m) and passes through 24 access shafts of 12 feet (3.7 m) diameter. It was designed to transfer 120 million imperial gallons (550 megalitres) of water per day. The contract will see civil engineering and infrastructure specialist Barhale reinforce a 70 metre length of the 102-inch (2.6 m) diameter concrete-lined tunnel water main where it runs across the route of HS2 in North London. The location of the works will necessitate an unusually long concrete pump – 800m horizontal plus the almost 50 metre depth of the Barrow Hill shaft at Primrose Hill – to the site of the works. Barhale has been working with Caumford to design a bespoke pumping solution. Shane Gorman, Barhale’s Water Director – Southern Region, highlighted the importance of the Thames Lee Tunnel as part of London’s water infrastructure. “The need for the TLT was identified both to address drought conditions and to meet the requirements of new housing and development in East London after the Second World War,” he said. “For more than sixty years it has played an essential role transporting water across the capital and these works are an important measure to reinforce a key part of London’s water distribution network. “The section we are working on offers some additional challenges: the actual site of the relining is an unusually long distance from an access shaft and the levels of service and utility congestion in Camden means that we can’t sink boreholes. So designing a concrete-pumping solution that will work over more than half a mile has been a key focus. “We have worked closely with Thames Water on the design and scheduling of this project. Such is the strategic importance of the Thames Lee Tunnel that outages can only be scheduled for certain times of the year and they are contingent upon general storage levels across the rest of the network. “We have now identified a suitable window and look forward to successful completion in February 2024.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
UK and Ireland specialist paving and building products company, AG has welcomed three new recruits to its growing workforce. AG Appoints new Head of Sales for Scotland UK and Ireland specialist paving and building products company, AG, has appointed James Jack as Head of Sales for Scotland. James brings with him over 25 years’ experience in the construction industry, working across both the manufacturing and distribution sectors. Most recently James was Account Manager at Keyline, part of the Travis Perkins Group, where he managed the group’s Tier 1 contractors. Prior to this James was Head of Commercial Sales for GB at a manufacturing company and also spent 13 years at Jewson where he held a range of senior sales positions. James will be responsible for managing sales within the Scotland region. His role will be to engage with contractors, subcontractors and builders’ merchants as well as supporting general merchant/stockist activity and driving retail sales through this sales channel. AG Appoints new Digital Marketing Manager UK and Ireland specialist paving and building products company, AG, has appointed Stephen Gallagher as Digital Marketing Manager. Stephen spent the last 5 years working with Christies Direct as Marketing Manager where he was responsible for supporting the firm’s growth strategy through the creation of quality content, advertising and managing customer relations. Stephen will be part of AG’s marketing team where he will be responsible for planning and implementing AG’s digital marketing campaigns across a variety of platforms. AG Appoints new Specification Consultant UK and Ireland specialist paving and building products company, AG, has appointed Mark Toole as Specification Consultant. Mark brings with him a wealth of knowledge with over 25 years’ experience in the construction industry. His spent the last seven years working as a Senior Project Consultant for Marshalls where he was responsible for several key contractor accounts as well as managing its sales team. Prior to that Mark held various managerial positions including a Key Account Manager for Charcon. At AG Mark will be responsible for dealing with business enquiries for customers, working closely with clients through the product selection process. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Improving concrete preparation productivity on large scale outdoor applications Transportation infrastructure is vital to the health of the UK economy. Whether it’s commuters driving on motorways every day, or tourists travelling by air, we rely on transport networks to get us from A to B. Consistently maintaining this critical infrastructure can be difficult — Citroen, for example, reported that work on fixing potholes across the UK cost £93.7 million in 2022. People still need to travel on a daily basis, so how do we effectively repair this infrastructure without disrupting day to day life? Here Tom Dunn, vice president of sales at surface preparation expert National Flooring Equipment, explores the role of surface preparation in large outdoor applications. Effective surface preparation plays an integral role in maintaining critical transport infrastructure such as highways, bridges, parking structures and airport runways. The surface must be in good condition to ensure the safety of people using them, as well as ensure that the floor has the durability to withstand vehicle and pedestrian traffic, as well as different weather conditions. While contractors often understand the importance of maintaining these spaces, completing the work without causing disruption to travellers can be challenging. McKinsey & Company estimates that large scale construction projects take 20 percent longer than scheduled and finish up to 80 percent over budget. From experience, these unexpected delays could be caused by a number of factors, such as weather delaying work, or a lack of preparation before arriving to site. However, sticking to the budget and client deadline is not impossible. By taking the time to plan the work effectively and choosing the right tools for the application, contractors can deliver high quality surface preparation at any scale. Preparation is key When starting any project, contractors should consider how to meet client expectations while adhering to the outlined deadline and budget. This is particularly important on large sites with regular traffic, because customers often want to limit disruption as much as possible. Taking the time to efficiently plan before arriving on site is therefore integral to surface preparation success. By visiting the site before work begins, contractors can understand the size and scope of the project, the condition of the existing floor, its current covering and the client’s specifications. For example, in large outdoor applications such as airport runways, highways or car parks, contractors must communicate with the facilities manager to clear the area of pedestrians and vehicles before commencing work to ensure safety. Some circumstances require entire site closure and in other instances contractors may be able to complete the work in stages to limit disturbance. For example, repairing the floor in multi-story parking structures one level at a time could give contractors time to complete the work efficiently without closing the entire structure. It’s important to accurately estimate the project timeline if required to work to tight deadlines, for example when working in high traffic areas. Sticking to the deadline might mean working in challenging conditions, such as in rain or at night. Plans must ensure the team can safely work through different weather conditions, darkness and high or low temperatures so that contractors allow enough time to complete the work without rushing it. Choosing a machine Once the project goals and timeline are finalised, contractors can determine what equipment or machinery they require. Larger projects usually require heavy duty ride-on scrapers that have a faster removal rate and are better suited to removing heavy goods like industrial epoxy with aggregate. Walk behinds may be more suited to applications such as weight-restricted bridge decks or around tight corners and hard-to-reach areas that a ride-on would have difficulty targeting. A combination of machines may be necessary when the site has varying levels of surface hardness, thickness, and complexity. For example, a ride-on scraper may be more efficient in removing large areas of material, while a walk-behind scraper may be more effective for precise removal during edge work. Additionally, achieving the desired surface finish may require different processes. For example, shot blasters can efficiently remove coatings, adhesives, and contaminants from vertical or horizontal surfaces. They can also create a surface texture that improves adhesion of coatings or to produce a non-slip surface. Scarifiers are useful where more aggressive treatment is necessary, such as removing thick coatings, roughing up smooth surfaces, or levelling uneven surfaces. Consider which fuels will be most appropriate during the project. In large outdoor spaces, an electricity supply for plug in machines may not be easily available, so diesel or propane powered machines might give more freedom. In any project, safety must be a priority for machinery operators and other contractors on site. Areas undergoing work should be physically cordoned off to prevent the public from entering the site. During ongoing work, contractors can also select equipment with added safety features to protect workers on site. For example, some ride-in scrapers feature light curtains to outline the movement of the machine. Choosing a ride-in machine with a positive air pressure cab can also protect the operator, reducing dust inhalation and enabling them to work in different conditions. Maximising uptime Choosing the right equipment is vital, but learning how to use it effectively is key to maintaining productivity once on site. By approaching the equipment supplier for training, contractors can understand how to set up and use equipment to increase productivity and ultimately create a safer working environment. For instance, setting up the angle and pitch of a blade can impact covering removal rates — understanding how to properly angle the blade for the covering could be the difference between quickly removing the coating and struggling to remove anything. It’s important to follow advice regarding maintenance, especially during longer projects, to minimise downtime. Counties spend millions each year on infrastructure maintenance to ensure that people can safely and efficiently travel around the country. So, when conducting repairs, laying new coverings or completing new outdoor projects, contractors should prioritise surface preparation to deliver a surface that will deliver long-lasting strength and
