DUDLEY ROAD IMPROVEMENT SCHEME (WESTERN ROAD), BIRMINGHAM

In the quest to find solutions that meet clean air targets and reduce congestion in city centres, encouraging people to walk, cycle and use public transport has become the focal point for local authorities.

During the next five years, substantial new housing projects will be undertaken near Dudley Road in Birmingham. This will add further pressure to navigating safe passage around the area, therefore Birmingham City Council decided to improve the A457 Dudley Road by:

Upgrading facilities for pedestrians and cyclists
Providing new bus lanes
Reducing traffic congestion through junctions

The scheme includes upgraded junctions, new bus lanes, new segregated cycle routes, widened footways and a new footbridge alongside Spring Hill Canal Bridge.

Western Road was the first of a number of sections of the Dudley Road project, this section was located within the middle portion of the scheme. As the project title suggests this section was located at the junction of Dudley Road and Western Road.

The project objective was the widening of a 400m section of Dudley Road and 100m section of Western Road. In addition to the carriageway widening works this included significant service diversions, new drainage systems, central reservations, street lighting, traffic signals and associated pedestrian crossings plus a separate toucan crossing), road signage, new footways and blue cycleways.

THE CHALLENGES

A very busy local environment including a Primary WPD substation, City Hospital, the Soho Loop large mixed-use development, and Saint Patricks Primary School.

The A457 is a main route into and out of Birmingham with heavy traffic flows, particularly during rush hours.

Due to the presence of a primary substation, there was a significant amount of HV cable to be diverted. Additional services requiring diversion included BT fibre-optic and copper networks, a gas main, several water mains and Virgin Media comms.

Site rules stated that no mechanical excavation could take place within 500mm of a live service. The need to reduce ground levels around services would involve a large amount of excavation with hand tools which would have been hugely time consuming and labour intensive.

THE SOLUTIONS

Detailed planning of the works to maximise available work space with consideration to all users ensuring traffic flows and pedestrian footways were maintained.

Close contact / regular meetings with all stakeholders and statutory undertakers.

Out of hours working utilised during weekends and nights to minimise disruption.

Detailed safe system of works for working around services. The introduction of vacuum excavation offered a much quicker excavation solution negating the need for additional labour. Vacuum excavation also offers significant health and safety benefits due to the far lower risk of damage to live services.

THE RESULT

The project achieved its primary objective – dramatically improving traffic congestion within the area, the difference from before the project and after is remarkable. Moreover, both pedestrian and cycleway safety is much improved within the local vicinity.

The nearby Perry Barr Stadium was the venue for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, therefore, the project had to be completed before the event commenced. Through extended working hours across evenings and weekends, the site team produced a gold medal winning performance to ensure the new scheme was ready well before the Torch arrived.

McPhillips’ Project Manager Paul Handley commented: “The significant challenges which were encountered by ourselves and Birmingham City Council during the project were dealt with in an impressive, collaborative manner. Quality control throughout the project was of the highest order.

“The shared on-site office enabled quick responses and earlier decision making. This contributed to the continued, excellent working relationship with Birmingham City Council, leading to McPhillips being awarded the next phase of the Dudley Road Improvement Scheme.”

For more information on other McPhillips’ civil engineering projects visit: https://www.mcphillips.co.uk/civil-engineering/

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

DUDLEY ROAD IMPROVEMENT SCHEME (WESTERN ROAD), BIRMINGHAM

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