SHREWSBURY INTEGRATED TRANSPORT PACKAGE: TOWN CENTRE PACKAGE 2

Following on from the successful delivery of two previous phases of the Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package McPhillips were appointed as the principal contractor for delivering improvements across four high trafficked streets in Shrewsbury Town Centre.

The aim of the project was to drive economic growth in the town centre by developing pedestrianised areas and enhancing the user experience for shoppers and local businesses, whilst preserving the historic features of the town. Pedestrians were put at the forefront of the scheme by creating a more modern environment for shoppers and diners. By changing footways and carriageways and streamlining navigation, this modernisation programme would also lead to improvements in road safety and town centre parking.

This highly successful project was commended in both the 2022 CIHT West Midlands awards and the 2022 CECA Midlands Region awards.

The Challenges

One of the key challenges facing McPhillips was the impact of the coronavirus pandemic mid-project on sourcing the high quality natural stone materials and adhering to timescales for completion.

Other challenges included:

Maintaining the existing features of the town, whilst achieving a modern look and feel to the pedestrianised areas.
Interfacing with stakeholders and simplifying navigation for pedestrians through this re-designed area of the town centre.
Minimising the impact of noise, vibration and dust whilst the works were being completed.
Maintaining the quality of paving materials.

The Solutions

Socially distanced working practices and safe methods of working were devised and operated.

Material delivery schedules were secured by working closely with our supply chain and additional facilities were put in place to comply with Covid-19 Government guidance.

Site meetings were held outdoors and public information providing updates on the project status was displayed on information boards in the town centre.

The result was a disruption to construction activities of just two weeks.

High quality natural stone materials were used in order to try and achieve the balance between old and new.

Footways were repaved using high quality Yorkstone paving and feature granite.
New kerb lines were created in natural stone.
Footways were widened, drainage updated and pedestrian crossing points improved.

To address stakeholder engagement, a public liaison officer and two full-time pedestrian marshals were appointed to assist the public with navigating the town centre and support people with mobility issues.

22 permanent Wayfinder units were also installed at various points in the town centre to assist the public with optimised routes around the town centre.

Acoustic barriers were used around the material cutting stations and working areas to reduce noise, vibration and dust.

Our on-site materials controller inspected material quality as deliveries arrived and mixed palettes as necessary to reduce colour variations when laid. Where possible, waste was reduced and materials were recycled:

Excavation arisings and tarmac road planings were recycled and reused on another McPhillips project.
Existing concrete paving slabs were re-used by Shropshire Council within the county.
Paving material placement was optimised to reduce the number of slabs and kerbs that needed cutting.

The Results

The project delivered key improvements for pedestrians and local businesses in terms of safety, accessibility and user experience. New footways, carriageways and public spaces accommodating high levels of footfall can now drive economic growth in this key area of Shrewsbury.

The project was completed within the required timescales and on-budget, despite the disruption caused by Covid-19 and resulting changes to working practices on-site.

The customer feedback survey provided by Shropshire Council gave McPhillips a score of 100% across quality, safety, service, workmanship, communication/information, environment and subcontractors.

A member of the public commented on the project,..

“I went into Shrewsbury today, and I have to say it is looking awesome. The Council has done a great job of taking advantage of the quiet times over the past year to give the town an overhaul, and I love it. The wide stone pavements are lovely, the pavement benches, more bike racks – the whole thing is so much more pleasant to be in and feels safer (from traffic). Thank you, Shrewsbury, it’s great.”

McPhillips Contracts Director Andrew Dunham commented…

“We are delighted to have our work on the successful transformation of Shrewsbury town centre recognised. Working throughout Covid restrictions presented its own set of challenges, but our teams responded magnificently and delivered the project on time and within budget. Receiving the CECA and CIHT Commended Awards for our work was the icing on the cake.”

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

SHREWSBURY INTEGRATED TRANSPORT PACKAGE: TOWN CENTRE PACKAGE 2

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