WINTER 2020 A77 Maybole Bypass Project newsletter

Culvert at Low Grange Welcome

Welcome to the third issue of enabled appropriate construction our newsletter providing a progress activities to resume under the update and look ahead to the work necessary safety guidelines. we will be focusing on in the coming The health and safety of the months on the A77 Maybole workforce and the local community Bypass project. continues to be our main priority and Following the temporary site closure we ask for your co-operation in due to the Covid-19 pandemic we are continuing to respect physical pleased to report that work has distancing measures to safeguard the restarted on site. In June we health of yourselves as well as all our commenced a period of planning and project staff. pre-start site preparations which included making a number of physical Wills Bros as the contractor on A77 alterations to the site office and Maybole Bypass project would like to John Stephens, A77 Maybole welfare facilities to allow strict take this opportunity to thank road Bypass Project Manager, Wills Bros Civil Engineering Ltd adherence to both the Scottish users for their continued patience, Government’s guidelines and our own support, and co-operation safe operating procedures. This then during construction.

Works at Broomknowes underpass continue A77 Maybole Bypass project A77 Maybole Bypass project Progress update on A77 Maybole Bypass Community y At Kirklandhill Path, public engagement SITE ACTIVITIES utilities have been realigned and traffic management for plant Looking We continue our partnership working with South Ayrshire The team are working hard stripping crossings is in place. This road will be Council, Ayrshire DWP and the various training agencies we the topsoil, rock cutting, excavating, closed once the works are completed ahead liaise with to provide job opportunities on site under the moving earth, carrying out remedial at Gardenrose Path. community benefits scheme and to create and maintain and drainage works, installing culverts y Alloway Road Underbridge - In the coming months we will be employment for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. and implementing traffic management both lanes on Alloway Road are now focusing on: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic we have had to reduce the operations. fully opened with the new road y Gardenrose Path - the building level of work and opportunities on this programme but The earthworks team are working in surfaced, enabling the public to of the bridge continues with hope to be able to resume fully in the near future. partnership with public utility providers continue to use Alloway Road during work focussing on the such as Scottish Water and BT on service construction. Preparation work for installation of the steel diversions. Good progress has been the beam installation has been reinforcement for the concrete NEW APPRENTICES ON MAYBOLE made along the whole route with work completed, with beams scheduled to deck and parapet. including the installation of new ducting be installed this month. We are very pleased to have welcomed two Kirklandhill Path - bridge and cabling, as well as new water mains. y apprentices, Fiona Thomson and Connor Gibson as abutment works will commence part of the Graduate Apprenticeship Civil Engineering TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT which will require this road to Scheme which we operate in partnership with be closed. The road will be Strathclyde University. As mentioned in the last newsletter, closed once Gardenrose Path The BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering Graduate we employ a Senior Traffic Management has reopened. Apprenticeship Programme with Strathclyde University, is Engineer whose role is to oversee the a bespoke Graduate Apprenticeship Programme, designed traffic management operations required y Broomknowes Underpass in partnership with engineering employers which will to deliver the project. A large part of the - earthworks on approach to develop apprentices’ knowledge, skills, competencies, and role focuses on liaising with key the underpass to be formed professional behaviours. Earthworks between Alloway Road stakeholders to ensure that all traffic with drainage and kerbing Fiona and Connor are local to Maybole and will be and Kirklandhill Path management proposals are planned works through the structure working towards their university degree whilst also working and co-ordinated through regular traffic to be completed. on the project. They will rotate through each of our on-site Connor and Fiona, two new apprentices who are keen to management meetings which is chaired Alloway Road - concrete beams improve their knowledge and experience STRUCTURES y departments such as project management, health and by the Contractor and attended by the to be installed which will allow safety and environmental management, where they will At Gardenrose Path, the road closure local authority, Police Scotland and decking works to commence. be able to gain insight and experience of all aspects of is in place and works are progressing to Transport Scotland. civil engineering. They will gain knowledge through a mix construct the overbridge. y Roundabout at Broomknowes The Senior Traffic Management - carrying out earthworks, of work-based on-the-job-learning and also through their Connor, university apprentice: The ‘three’ beams for the bridge Engineer will ensure all traffic culvert installations and Strathclyde University, Civil Engineering department “I am very honoured to have been structure were lifted into place during management is properly planned drainage work. taught modules. given this opportunity by Wills Bros. I the day in early September with each and will liaise with a specialist sub- Roundabout at Culzean Road beam measuring 36 metres in length contractor who is responsible with y am enjoying working with the project - various phases of traffic and weighing 86 tonnes. The installation the day-to-day maintenance of any INTERNS staff on site and learning new skills management will be of the bridge beams was a complex traffic management. implemented to allow for the and gaining first-hand an insight operation which required a 1100 We were also very pleased to welcome two interns who successful tie-in of the new and understanding of the tonne ‘crane’ to lift and place with are studying in their fourth year of university. HEALTH & SAFETY roundabout including kerbing skill and precision. Harris Ritchie, who is a Geography student, has been construction industry.” and surfacing works. taken on as an environmental intern to explore water, The team are committed to ensuring Fiona, university apprentice: the site is a safe working environment. y Roundabout at Smithson geophysical and geotechnical aspects of the project and Our health and safety team arrange site - earthworks, remedial works, James Ross who is working with our quantity surveying “I really welcome this opportunity to inductions, including Covid 19 culvert installation and drainage team. We continue to support staff, along with Skills work for Wills Bros, learning new skills precautionary measures for both work are all underway. Development Scotland, who want to improve their on site and to be able to combine project staff and essential visitors. They qualifications by providing opportunities to obtain an SVQ, Construction and maintenance work with studying/learning at carry out daily and weekly site y with 22 individuals enrolling in the scheme so far. of haul routes for earthwork and Strathclyde University.” inspections and keep project staff construction works use. updated with regular toolbox talks. y Continued diversion of public utilities to facilitate construction works. Beams being installed

2 3 A77 Maybole Bypass project Certificate of Tea break thanks

Site staff would like to say a thank you to the kind excellence for member of the local community who showed their appreciation for the site team’s hard work to construct the site the new bypass and handed over a box of biscuits to John McDonald for the team to enjoy during their break. The A77 Maybole Bypass project is pleased to be registered with the Considerate Constructors Scheme which seeks to improve the image of the construction industry by striving to promote and achieve best practice on the site under construction and in the local environment. In November, we had our first Considerate Constructors Scheme audit and are extremely pleased to report that we achieved a certificate of excellence, putting the project amongst the highest performing construction sites in the country. Since then a further audit has been done and we expect John McDonald happily accepts the generous gift. the outcome shortly.

Environmental

The Wills Bros Environmental Team who are based at the and waste – as well as investing in sustainable and renewable Maybole Project site, are Beth Docherty Environmental solutions for the project. Advisor and Harris Ritchie Environmental Intern, who are managed by Chris Landsburgh, Environmental and As part of the Wills Bros commitment to ensure Sustainability Manager. environmental excellence, all commercial waste is diverted from As part of their work responsibilities, Beth and Harris liaise landfill. All non-recoverable waste types are shredded, baled, with Ayrshire Rivers Trust (ART), Scottish Environmental and air-dried and then exported to the continent to be used in Protection Agency (SEPA), and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) energy production through a fully audited SEPA accredited to assist in the monitoring and management of our route. By doing this we ensure a 100% zero waste to landfill. environmental and ecological works. These include exclusion zones for trees, badgers and otters; as well as the carrying out Our environmental team are also developing our skills and of fish rescue plans to facilitate river works. Beth is also education plans, and a CEEQUAL Assessment which evidences monitoring the carbon footprint of the project with the overall the sustainability initiatives on the site is being carried out as aim of reducing carbon emissions from material use, fuel use works progress.

Considerate constructors The site is pleased to be registered with the Considerate Constructors Scheme (www.ccscheme.org.uk). The scheme aims to provide contractors with a Code of Considerate Practice which has been developed to encourage best practice beyond statutory construction industry requirements.

FURTHER PROJECT INFORMATION If you have any matters you wish to raise concerning the A77 Maybole Bypass project, please contact: Bridie Casey, Community Liaison Officer, at: [email protected] or on our freephone number: 0800 118 1661

For more information on the project please visit:

transport.gov.scot/projects/a77-maybole-bypass

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