Away from the visually impressive sheet piled retaining walls currently being installed adjacent to the A19 into York, Howard Civil Engineering are creating a water meadow; a sculpted flood water compensation area which will provide a haven for local wildlife and walkers alike.
Working to the strict rules and timescales laid down by the IDB (Internal Drainage Board) and Natural England, providing us with a licence to work adjacent to a watercourse inhabited with water voles, the sunny dry weather has been very welcome working so close the natural water table.
25,000m3 of sand and clay has been moved out of the area. Aided by the use of a GPS guided dozer a natural looking undulating landscape has been created with a central wet channel and three pools. Rip rap stone has been set into a concrete bed to form the inlet and outlet structures preventing scour during flood periods and controlling the flow of the water during flood conditions.
A water vole habitat further enhances the area, encouraging wildlife to return to the area once the works have been completed.
The dryer warmer weather of spring is welcomed at Rudding Park where the new spa extension to the hotel is being built amongst the beautiful gardens. Following straight on from our concrete frame project at Yeadon, Henry Boot had no hesitation in appointing Howard Civil Engineering again to deliver another complex concrete frame which commenced in January this year.
The complex build, incorporating 3 levels with mulitple split levels to incorporate the 2 pools and associated plant and equipment, is now progressing to ground floor level which quite belies the works that have gone on beneath and the planning that preceded it.
Through early contractor involvement we had contributed greatly to the phasing, programming, methodology and sequencing. Overcoming challenging site logistics due to a limited site area whilst recognising this was a live prestigious hotel while maintaining an ambitious programme, was key to the successful delivery of this project.
Work has progressed well from a January start and the scale of the extension can now clearly be seen.
The adjacent Rudding Park Hotel continues to operate normally throughout the scheme with the works hidden from view behind a high hoarding. The crane was chosen specifically because it could be lowered from view during weddings and other events taking place at the hotel, which in the employer’s eyes was key to the award of the contract.
Some of the operational highlights
- 6m basement excavation to remove 10,000m3 while controlling groundwater to form the basement and swimming pools at various levels
- Tanking using a variety RIW products
- Complex RC frame including basement with a host of differing wall and column sizes, corbels, lift cores, service risers, smoke ventilation voids
- Ground bearing and suspended slabs containing drop beams
- Drainage up-to 5m deep
- High level accuracy to tie the new RC frame into the existing hotel
Our works are due to complete in August 2016 with the spa opening in April 2017.
Last night Howard Civil Engineering commenced their stakeholder liaison programme with representatives of the Fulford Area in preparation for the new junction to be constructed on the A19 into York. A presentation given by Persimmon Homes and ourselves provided information about this first phase of works and the residential development to follow.
The works are due to commence in May for a period of 40weeks and will provide a new traffic light controlled junction and flood protection to the A19.
A series of newletters will keep all interested parties upto date. Futher information can be found on the dedicated Germany Beck page.
2,000 students and young people were expected to visit Leeds’ Apprenticeship Hub’s annual Apprenticeship Fair held at the First Direct Arena last night.
However, it was a massive success with just over 5000 people coming through the doors over the 3 hour period. This more than tripled the recorded attendance figure of 2015.
Howard Civil Engineering were there, represented by Andy Rafton, SHEQ and Training Manager, and Lucie Jones, Pre Contracts Manager, advertising 4 apprenticeships. General Construction Oerative, Formwork Joiner, Engineer and Accounts Assistant.
We were overwhelmed by the interest in our stand and the construction industry as a whole and so pleased at the quality of many of the candidates. They were confident, eloquent and polite and were fine ambassadors for the colleges and schools at which they were studying.
With at least fourty expressions of genuine interest and many CVs to read we are confident we’ll be filling our vacancies from these upcoming Leeds young people.
Former golf course Flatts Farm, situated in a South Durham loop of the River Wear and overlooked by Auckland Castle, will, by next summer, become home to the most ambitious outdoor theatre construction project ever seen in County Durham.
Inspired by the Puy de Fou medieval theme park in north-west France, Eleven Arches will be an outdoor theatrical spectacular depicting the history of the UK, seen through the eyes of the North-East.
The show centres around a 3,462m2 man made lake and castle backdrop. Pyrotechnics, spectacular water and light effects, a cast and crew of 1000 along with permanently stabled trained horses from France, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Czech Republic will entertain audiences over the 14 shows already planned for 2016.
The civils works required to turn this 7 and a half acre site into a fantasy are amongst the most unusual projects we have supported Caddick Construction on in the last few years. Deep underground concrete bunkers are being built to hide equipment behind the hydraulic special effects. A tribune seating area has already been constructed to hold 8,000 people. Stables and other buildings are required to permanently hold the horses and store the carriages, carts, boats and floats. A visitor village will house all the facilities expected by a 8,000 strong public.
Pressure is on to be ready for the first show 2nd July 2016!
Further investments have been made by Howard Plant Hire this month. Our sites are soon to see the benefit as our recent considerable order of small tools from Hilti replaces hired equipment.
We felt that Hilti continues to set the standard in the construction industry through their innovative products, systems and services.
Where we need reliability, robustness and the ability to deliver a quality product; we need a quality tool.
TRUST US TO DELIVER YOUR PROJECT ON TIME AND ON BUDGET