SHIFNAL TOWN CENTRE IMPROVEMENT SCHEME

McPhillips were commissioned to complete the Shifnal Town Centre Improvement Scheme in order to create a more pedestrian friendly area for shoppers and businesses and to improve the existing infrastructure. In addition, the works were intended to slow down and avert traffic from the town centre, where possible.

The works comprised of:

Realigning and improving capacity at key town centre road junctions.
Constructing two new zebra crossings and uncontrolled pedestrian crossing points on Bradford Street, Market Place, Victoria Road, Church Street, Aston Street, Broadway and Shrewsbury Road.
Road resurfacing, new traffic signs and a new 20mph speed limit.
Constructing new kerb lines in conservation kerbs and widening existing .footways using high quality natural stone paving.
Hard and soft landscaping.
Updating drainage systems.
New parking bays to provide on-street parking parallel parking.
Planting beds and new trees in large underground topsoil zones.
New street furniture including benches, bins, free standing planters, cycle racks and hanging basket brackets.
New street lighting with LED illumination to improve light quality.

The challenges

A key challenge facing McPhillips was how to maintain heavy commuter traffic flows through Shifnal town centre using temporary traffic management on the existing narrow road network for the duration of the works. There was also the added pressure of trying to maintain pedestrian routes and access to businesses, especially considering that trade in the town centre was recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The scheme was subject to public consultation and public meetings, which led to some elements of work being re-designed during the contract, before it was approved by Shropshire Council, Shifnal Town Council and local councillors. Approval also had to be sought from the Department for Transport for permission to remove vehicular access in certain areas.

We also had to factor in the impact of reinstating old cellars and replacing an old, damaged culvert discovered on-site.

The solutions

A traffic management strategy was produced by McPhillips with the aim of keeping disruption to the public to an absolute minimum.

Ongoing dialogue with businesses within the footprint of the works was carried out by McPhillips’ Site Agent Adrian Elsdon via face-to-face meetings, where COVID-19 restrictions allowed, letters or emails, so that their needs could be taken into consideration.

Close contact and meetings with the Town Council, Shropshire Council and Shropshire County Council highways permitting team were carried out to keep everyone informed about the different phases of the project and impact of the works on the general public i.e. road closures and diversions.

Detailed planning of the works also provided sufficient working space for our workforce whilst still maintaining pedestrian and vehicular flows.

Pedestrian and traffic marshals were present on-site to assist the public. Adrian Elsdon, the site agent, was proactive in ensuring everyone’s needs were accommodated.

Obviously works of this nature inevitably cause some noise disturbances but these were kept to a minimum and dust suppression measures were used when cutting paving slabs and materials.

The result

Through agreed working times across main shop frontages, night working for planing out the existing highway, tarmacking and high friction works, effective planning and close liaison with all stakeholders, the site team were able to complete the primary objective of completing the works as agreed.

The work areas were clearly defined and barriered off, pedestrian crossing points and walkways were clear and accessible, and every effort was made to ensure businesses could continue to trade. Access to premises was maintained for local businesses and residents alike.

Continual liaison with businesses and the general public helped to ensure that the scheme was delivered with minimal complaints.

Shifnal’s annual carnival went ahead unhindered, disruption to the main carriageway during the weekend of the Cosford Air Show was kept to a minimum and all main contract works were completed in time for the 2022 Shifnal Christmas light switch-on and Christmas market.

Our Site Agent was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by Shifnal Town Council to recognise his “dedicated support for the community” in encouraging local ‘buy-in’ and ensuring that the scheme ran smoothly.

Adrian commented on the project,

“We hope we have created a town centre environment which will be used and enjoyed by the community of Shifnal, and we understand that Shifnal Town Council have already started making plans to use the new space for the reintroduction of town centre markets following the success of the recent Christmas Market held in Bradford Street.”

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

SHIFNAL TOWN CENTRE IMPROVEMENT SCHEME

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