ALDERTON PIPE BRIDGE, TEWKESBURY

McPhillips were commissioned by Avove, a leading infrastructure services and engineering company, to undertake the replacement of an existing 225mm diameter pipe bridge which was damaged and in need of repair.

The works comprised of:

Construction of 194m of post and 3 rail fencing
Construction and installation of 8 reinforced concrete piers, 2 of which act as expansion joints, along with associated foundations
Installation of circa 170m of 300mm diameter ductile iron pipework across the newly constructed RC pipe bridge piers
Installation of a concrete protection slab to a section of newly installed ductile iron pipe that didn’t meet STW depth of cover
Installation of pipe supports
Demolition and offsite disposal of the existing pipe bridge
Removal of all existing pipe bridge piers to 1m below ground level
Construction of 3 new 1200mm diameter PCC Foul Water manholes
Making connections into existing Foul Water Manholes
Installation of 2 ‘Witches Hats’ along new pipe bridge
Reinstatement of the field

Specific materials were used for this project:

Reinforced concrete piers and bases on mass concrete foundations design based upon ground bearing pressures, depths of foundations varying between 900mm and 3.5m.
300mm ductile iron pipe work painted with Hempel Hempadur Black polyamide curing, high solids epoxy paint.
Vandgard access deterrent ‘Witches Hats’ (designed to reduce pressure on the pipe in flood conditions and eliminate condensation which might otherwise cause corrosion).
Specialist fabricated brackets to fit concrete piers – the saddles lined with 6mm thick UV & weather resistant high-density rubber.
Teekay Axiflex (non-axially restrained) Type IV coupling, with EPDM gasket expansion joints protected with fabricated stainless steel shroud.

The challenges

We faced numerous challenges during the works, probably most significantly the challenge of working within a flood plain adjacent to a fast flowing watercourse during the flood season.

Other challenges we faced included:

Fabricating the specialist galvanized pipe brackets within the required time frame.
Sourcing the Vandgard access deterrent ‘Witches Hats’.
Using a spreader beam to install the ductile iron pipework in sections previously bolted together in 14m lengths.

The solutions

We chose ductile iron due to its robustness and adaptability to various geographical configurations and types of environments.

The result

The overall solution of diverting the pipe bridge was completed on budget and within the specified timescales. We worked in close liaison with the client in order to address issues as they arose and presented solutions promptly.

Using a 300mm diameter ductile iron pipe for above ground foul water gravity drainage with expansion joints seemed daunting initially, however the McPhillips team met the challenge head on to produce a successful end result. The works were completed to the full satisfaction of the client.

McPhillips Contracts Manager Simon Westmacott commented…

“This was a fascinating project, something out of the ordinary to challenge the McPhillips team. There were plenty of challenges along the way, including having to work within a flood plain and to tight timescales. It’s not every day we’re asked to divert an above ground ductile iron gravity sewer.“

Testimonials

"The site manager and assistant site manger did a fantastic job on the scheme, they were friendly, reliable, professional and their experience on managing the subcontract labour and technical ability was second to none."

Ian Lowe, BIT Group

"McPhillips (Wellington) Ltd undertook the construction of a recent public realm scheme in Shrewsbury, they provided traffic and pedestrian management to manage the construction of the scheme in a busy urban area, with high pedestrian footfall. All civils and re-paving works were completed to a high standard and in a tidy, productive and efficient manner. They were able to engage with Shrewsbury BID to aid in the planning of events, as well as liaising with local businesses and shops to minimise impact. They worked effectively and efficiently to complete works to the accepted programme and administered the contract well using web based management systems. There were good working relationships between all parties, and their on-site management of personnel was excellent."

Scott Hughes, WSP

"McPhillips were good to work with and they were always keen to resolve any issues or complications which obviously occur on such a large and complex project, probably the biggest S278 Worcestershire has ever dealt with."

Sally Everest, Worcestershire County Council

"Having been the first time we have used McPhillips as a main contractor we have been impressed at the ease at which we have developed a good working relationship to enable the project to be maintained to timeline and budget incorporating both additional work items and some more unusual occurrences on-site."

Richard Allen, London & Cambridge Properties

"We will most certainly use McPhillips again and we will have no hesitation in recommending you to other schools and colleges."

Sheena Hodgson, The Westwood Academy

"The site delivery team were extremely helpful. The site was clearly always orderly, fully resourced and well managed throughout. The workmanship was of the highest quality and the project was delivered on-time and within budget providing The Wrekin Housing Trust with a facility of which we are justifiably proud. Overall WHT is more than happy with McPhillips’ performance on Oakwood and wouldn’t hesitate to work with them again in the future."

Karen Lloyd, The Wrekin Housing Trust

"I will have no hesitation in employing McPhillips on other projects and therefore look forward to working with you again; it was a pleasure working with you and your team, demonstrating a positive approach throughout the project."

Mike Steele, Birmingham City Council

"The quality of the work provided is always of a high standard and every effort is made to accommodate the needs of businesses and residents impacted by the work. With regard to project management, I found the management team and site staff to be amenable at all times. I would highly recommend McPhillips to be considered for any highway regeneration projects or similar works."

Steve Hollins, Telford & Wrekin Council

"McPhillips carried out work for Adams’ Grammar School between May and September 2013. They did so under some stringent conditions imposed by the school and performed admirably to meet significant deadlines. Their work on site was also very impressive; their site manager was most professional and worked seamlessly with our own employee when there needed to be alterations/modifications. They worked very easily around children and kept an appropriate distance from our own work. When it came closer to the deadlines they produced work at an impressive speed in order that we were able to open on time. We will certainly use them again."

Michael Barrett, Adams' Grammar School

"I can truly say that I could not wish to have worked in conjunction with a more impressive and agreeable contractor than McPhillips. Many thanks for the experience."

Peter Oughton, Dogs Trust

"We’re delighted with the work carried out by McPhillips. Thanks to their excellent building and civil engineering experience and skills we’ve been able to create an enriched environment for our dogs."

Clarissa Baldwin OBE, Dogs Trust

"We have no hesitation recommending McPhillips and look forward to the opportunity of working with them in the future."

Pam Edwards, The Wrekin Housing Trust

"McPhillips and their team were professional and efficient from tender stage through to contract completion, with a can do attitude that brought the scheme in on time and on budget within tight constraints."

Bob Nicholson, Pochin Developments

"Everyone has commented favourably on the quality of workmanship and the professional, courteous and organised approach of the men involved. As a consequence, the work was completed to a very high standard, in a very short time with the minimum of noise and disruption to residents."

Diane Peacock, Pengrove Residents Association

"McPhillips performed extremely well with a high quality of workmanship and a professional approach in dealing with the public and businesses in a very busy part of the town. I can confidently recommend McPhillips as a competent and professional contractor and since this scheme, I have worked with them on various projects and would be pleased to work with them again in the future."

Karl Farrow, Cheshire West & Chester Council

"I would have no hesitation in recommending McPhillips."

Paul Harris, Shropshire Council

"The team from McPhillips remained positive and proactive throughout, working with the Council's team to find solutions and deliver an enabled site which was fit for purpose. Their can-do attitude and pragmatic approach has been essential in delivering a successful project for the Council."

Kate Turner, Telford and Wrekin Council

"McPhillips has an excellent understanding of the client's needs and works collaboratively to achieve a quality product."

Peter Parker, Birmingham City Council

ALDERTON PIPE BRIDGE, TEWKESBURY

Project Details

Project Images

Testimonials

Contact Us