insight magazine News from Eurovia UK Innovation flies high Winter 2014 Award winners, p5 Getting geotechnical, p7 Arch restorers, p20

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1 insight magazine News from Eurovia UK Winter 2014 Innovation flies high Award winners, p5 Also in this issue Getting geotechnical, p7 Arch restorers, p Q&A: Héctor Garrido How to combat abuse Enfield contract win Cutting energy bills Community action

2 insight comment Dear colleagues, I hope you enjoy reading this edition of Insight and finding out about all the businesses that make up Eurovia in the United Kingdom. I was fortunate to attend and present at the Eurovia UK Innovation Awards in October, and I think it s great that we had nearly 180 super entries. You can read more about the winners on page five, and please take time to view more entry details via the Inspire button on NEVA UK. We are facing 2015 in a stronger shape than 12 months ago. We are seeing various business improvement strategies starting to pay dividends and our capital investments are aiding our efficiency and effectiveness. Of most importance is the teamwork and support from our colleagues that is improving our performance step by step. In this edition you will read about new forms of training focusing on underground services, manual handling and dealing with conflict we are trying new ways to make our working environment safer. I wish you and your family an excellent Christmas and above all a healthy 2015 when it comes thank you to all our people up and down the country for your help and support in making our company stronger together we are stronger. Scott Wardrop Chief Executive, Eurovia UK Gearing up for second decade in Bracknell October saw the start of a new NEC3 Highways Works Contract in Bracknell Forest following the conclusion of Ringway s successful 10-year contract. The new works and service contract, worth around 10 million a year, is for an initial seven years with possible extensions through to Major investment is being made in the fleet, including new vehicles for the additional street lighting and electrical operations that now form part of the contract. A pole truck and two mobile elevated working platforms (MEWPs) have already been Regional Director Nick Goddard deployed. (left) with Bracknell Forest Councillor Chris Turrell The new fleet of 7.5t lorries now being procured will feature an innovative safe access and egress and fall arrestor system, which will ultimately be extended across the Ringway and Eurovia businesses. New-style gritters from Econ and Epoke are also being trialled. We have three new pre-wet, dedicated gritters with the latest technological advances to trial this winter with a view to purchasing a new fleet ready for the season, says Divisional Manager Ian Thorpe. As part of the new contractual arrangements, Ringway s successful street cleansing operations have been transferred to a new contractor with the loss of 19 staff and operatives. We are facing 2015 in stronger shape 2

3 PHOTO: Mark Pardy The patented Eurosigns product can record vehicles that fail to stop at manually controlled sites on a wide-angle, HD camera. Footage is of sufficient quality, even in low light, to prosecute offenders. Flashing LED lights illuminate the Stop text, giving earlier indication to drivers in adverse weather. The electronics and battery are self-contained within the head of the improved Stop-Go Camera Safety Sign. It can be operated by an on/off switch or automatically so it turns off when not in use. Recharging takes less than two hours for 16 hours normal use. The in-use power-managed battery life and the clarity of the images make this a unique product, says Dean Welburn, Regional Director for Eurovia s Specialist Businesses. It is already in use across Ringway Jacobs and some Eurovia businesses, and has earned one of our external customers working in London a Health and Safety Innovation award from Sir Robert McAlpine. How to combat roadworks rage, page 8 insight news Hi-tech Stop/Go poles make roadworks safer It's the season to be wary... Digital video and LED technology are being harnessed in a hi-tech version of the Stop/Go signage pole to make highway operatives safer at roadworks. forum debates winter plans Winter service experts from the divisions and joint-venture companies gathered in Perth for the Ringway Winter Forum in October. The group meets twice-yearly: after the winter season, to share lessons learnt, and before the oncoming winter to discuss preparations and issues of concern. BEAR Scotland s HQ hosted the forum which included a presentation by Meteor Group on advances in weather prediction, including climatic domains and route-based forecasting It s great having all the practitioners in the same room, sharing views and best practice, says Bob Binder, Ringway Project Manager and Salt Tzar. Topics discussed this time included the availability of resources, training, salt supply and quality, and technology trends, such as the shift to brine-only spray treatments on the continent, which are being trialled this winter on part of the Scottish network. The Forum is chaired by Ringway Regional Director Nick Goddard. Ringway Managing Director Bill Taylor and his counterpart at BEAR, Brian Gordon, also attended the October meeting. PHOTO: Bob Binder inshort FLOWER POWER: Nine Eurovia volunteers planted bulbs in beautiful Clifton Park for Rotherham Hospice in October. Each of the 6,000 Crocus, Bluebell and Ramson bulbs had been sponsored locally. The hospice is the chosen charity for Eurovia Contracting North. Its volunteers were joined by Dave Campbell, Health, Safety & Environment Director, and Clare Habbin, HSE Coordinator. In June, Clare and Judith Hampson raised over 2,000 for the hospice when they completed the 10-mile Midnight Memory Walk. AIR LIFT: Recycling old computer equipment has raised a 600 donation for the Children s Air Ambulance. The kit was collected from Horsham s ICT department. The air ambulance service, which began operations in May 2013, transfers seriously ill children and infants, along with their clinicians, between hospitals. 3

4 insight news Tour raises key themes A Eurovia UK roadshow has completed its national tour, sharing the key messages from the company s Spring Conference. Senior managers have been out front at the events to get across the priorities of the Eurovia UK Business Plan, explaining how the business is performing, and setting out the vision for each part of the business. The Conference Roadshows also gave everyone present the opportunity to ask questions of the management team. Presentations and videos shown at the events were designed to make the events as engaging as possible. In the last employee survey, people called for greater interaction by senior management with the divisions and better communication generally. The Conference Roadshows were intended to give employees the opportunity to hear and question members of the senior management team. Reflecting the Business Plan, key themes for the Roadshow included: Preventing incidents Focusing on cost and value Managing effectively Sharing best practice Each Roadshow event was tailored to a separate part of the business. Scott Wardrop, Eurovia UK Chief Executive, supported Simon Willis, MD of Eurovia Infrastructure, and his Directors; Bill Taylor, MD of Ringway Term Services, and his team; and also hosted the events for JLUK and Eurovia Management. Resurfacing in full swing on Milton Keynes roundabouts An intensive resurfacing programme is in full swing in Milton Keynes with more than 50 roundabouts and road sections due to be completed before Christmas. Eight roundabouts on the former New Town s grid road system were revamped during a four-week period of the summer holiday season. To minimise disruption at these critical sites further, Milton Keynes Council gave road users a week s notice of the works and a timetable, followed by daily updates via its website and highways-dedicated Twitter account. On the ground Ringway set up information boards, clear diversion routes and completed extensive letter drops. Ringway began managing and maintaining the network on 27 April under a seven-year contract, extendable by up to three years. Working with all our supply chain and building a clear partnership with our client from day one has enabled us to deliver schemes as required from the first week of the contract, says John Wolstencroft, Schemes Manager Ringway and its partners will oversee 50 million of investment in highways, as well as managing reactive maintenance from a new Operations Hub. We ve started as we mean to go on, and thanks to the hard work of our Ringway team and the assistance of our Eurovia colleagues, we are on schedule, says John Upcott, Divisional Director. We ve embraced Ringway s safety culture with zero lost-time incidents in the first six months, John adds. Near-miss reporting was established from day one and 96% of operatives underwent core skills training in manual handling, first aid, banksman, safe digging, and abrasive wheel cutting within five months, with the rest planned soon after. PHOTO: Lee Kent PHOTO: Richard Whitaker CHRIS LONGSTER SERVICE: In the job since January 2001, Chris transferred to Ringway in 2012 from Balfour Beatty. Once a farmer, he has also worked as a plumber. THE JOB: I enjoy winter maintenance work and, as the Area Rep, being involved in our countywide health & safety meetings. There have been some memorable times, Ganger, Ringway North Yorkshire, Area 1 (Richmond) like working through the Foot and Mouth outbreak in 2001 and 12 weeks of snow in BY THE WAY: Chris is a keen motor rally fan. A member of the Ripon Motor Club, he s part of a chase car team, changing tyres and fine-tuning the race car at service points. Last season Chris enjoyed a stint as navigator. There is a saying in Area 1 which goes along the lines of: You never have to go back to a Chris Longster job. He is renowned for his quality and eye for detail as well as ensuring his sites are near-on perfect where health and safety is concerned. Darren Pavan, Area Agent 4

5 Celebrating the innovators insight awards Creative thinking is flourishing across the Eurovia family, which celebrated the people behind the best ideas at the 2014 Innovation Awards. Tablet takes it: EST's Grand Prize winner (left); and (below) at the movies in Worcestershire The biennial competition attracted 189 entries and, at the awards ceremony on Thursday 6 November, 14 winners were announced. The winning teams picked up cheques and certificates along with their awards in nine categories plus four special prizes and an overall Grand Prize. Their entries covered a wide range of innovations: from a digital advertising vehicle showing training films on site to a specially adapted truck for carrying the hot bitumen pot used for joint sealing; from involving the public as lay assessors of work sites to a Lean the Load initiative relieving repair gangs of unnecessary kit so as to reduce fuel consumption and emissions; and from new training courses to creative uses of technology. Four parts of the business Ringway Jacobs, Ringway Worcestershire, Eurovia Surfacing and Island Roads each collected a brace of awards. But the overall winner of the Grand Prize was Eurovia Specialist Treatments for its tablet tool for design and risk assessment. The tool s development has done away with the need for paper designs and delays in creating electronic records, while also allowing site hazards to be assessed in detail at the time of design. Significant savings are being made as a result, and the division plans to develop the tool further was a bumper year for innovation, says, Mike Burnett, who chaired the awards. The Innovation Awards celebrate the initiative of our people and help us identify and spread good practice across the business. * Full details of all the winners can be found on the intranet by clicking on the Inspire button on the front page of NEVA. CATEGORY WINNERS Materials, Processes & Techniques: Tablet Design and Site Specific Risk Assessment Tool Eurovia Specialist Treatments Marketing & Communication: On-site Mobile Display Vehicle Ringway Worcestershire Equipment & Tools: Aerial Inspections Ringway Jacobs Management: Formula Road Training Course for Paving Technicians Eurovia Surfacing Health & Safety: Conflict Resolution training Eurovia UK Environment & Sustainability: Lean the Load Ringway Worcestershire Working with the Community: Rights of Way Volunteering and Donate a gate scheme Ringway Jacobs (Transport for Buckinghamshire) Working Together: Stanwell Road West Carriageway Reconstruction Hounslow Highways Dissemination Award: TfB Asset Management Strategy Development JLUK SPECIAL PRIZES Together: AGORA Providing a showcase and meeting place for our business Eurovia UK Technology: BIM - 3D Visualisation in Construction Island Roads Fleet: Design of a purpose-built specialist vehicle Eurovia Surfacing Community: Lay Assessors Scheme Island Roads GRAND PRIZE Tablet Design and Site Specific Risk Assessment Tool Eurovia Specialist Treatments 5

6 insight profile We need topic experts to share answers Héctor Garrido stepped up to become Eurovia UK & India Plant & Fleet Manager in the summer. The well-travelled engineer shares his views on his new role, culture and problem-solving. Born in Spain, Héctor graduated with a double Mechanical Engineering degree through a joint five-year programme run by universities in Valladolid and Paris. Joining Eurovia in 2007, he started work in Madrid, where he completed an MBA, and managed the relocation of two production plants. During 2009 Héctor trained in French quarries, workshops and plants, before moving back to Spain as a plant and fleet manager at divisional and then, country level. In January 2013 he arrived in the UK as Divisional Plant & Fleet Manager for Eurovia Specialist Treatments (UK) & NAPC India. June 2014: Héctor became Eurovia UK & India s Plant & Fleet Manager. DOES INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE HELP IN YOUR JOB? Every time when working for a new branch you see how differently people react to the same kind of issues. A simplified example might be an equipment breakdown: the British fitter will follow established procedures even when the issue can very quickly be solved; his French counterpart will report it and ask approval of everyone involved before starting; while the Spaniard will try to get it solved as soon as possible, sometimes taking a high risk that can end in a major failure. Travelling, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures is one of my hobbies, and I try to apply that understanding to my job. Working in a few countries for Eurovia, and directly with our headquarters in Paris, has helped me develop a more global view. WHAT ARE YOUR PRIORITIES? At the moment the most important issues are: being compliant regarding Operator Licences in every division and Joint Venture by the end of the year; and reviewing and updating our processes for the group, covering asset procurement, maintenance, productivity and safe use training. ANYTHING ELSE? Another priority is to build a Plant & Fleet team across the UK who can help solve issues, working with Horsham support. All of us involved with plant and fleet do similar work and face the same kind of issues. But often people try to solve problems on their own, and only when they reach a dead end do they consult others. From my point of view, sharing information is vital. On the other hand P&F people need to have support from the operational team in their own divisions covering asset procurement, maintenance, productivity and safe use training. HOW WOULD THIS WORK? In Spanish we say: Sometimes it s more important, not to know the answer, but to have the telephone number of the person who knows. By having a team of experts we can share experience in resolving common problems. For instance, Steve Pattenden is the person to ask about gritters; for O-licensing, Keith Atkins is a clear expert; and Neil Withers is experienced in CAPEX investment decisions and queries. Many problems could be solved really quickly if we contacted the right person. ARE YOU PLANNING CHANGES? For the moment I just want to understand how people are working, analyse, and suggest any improvements that may be necessary. 6

7 Bouldnor Road going nowhere after geotechnical solution Unbeknown to passing tourists taking in the views over the Solent, the road beneath them was on its own slow journey. insight project PHOTO: KIERON BLAMEY Cracking and undulating, the inadequately constructed route to Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight had been deformed by historic slope failure, according to Island Roads Geotechnical Engineer, Madeline Clewett. Generally that movement was imperceptibly slow, but even where there was no visible evidence of slips, leaning telegraph poles and semidetached kerbstones pointed to the underlying problems. The 3km road is one of a series of links undermined by unstable geology that are being tackled by Island Roads under its PFI partnership with the Isle of Wight Council. The linchpin of its geotechnical solution for Bouldnor Road was a heavy sheet pile wall along a 1km section. Up to 16m deep, the sheet piles were driven last winter. Welded to the top, a 600m-long capping beam gives the retaining wall stiffness, explains Kieron Blamey, Geotechnical Project Manager. Allowances had to be made also for the special status of the location. Not only part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this stretch of coast and its inland wetland habitat are protected under several conservation regulations. This meant adapting the design to allow saline groundwater from the sea to penetrate under the road, says Kieron. Alternating pairs of shorter piles with groups of four longer piles are designed to allow water to come through the wall. Meanwhile on concrete sections, a reinforced mesh geo-grid was glued to the top of the cracked surfaced before resurfacing, leaving some 4,000t of concrete in situ. Along another 100m section by Town Green, 300 soil nails have stabilised its shallow slope. Site Manager Will Orr, one of Island Roads graduate engineers, oversaw the programme, which had to accommodate utility works, including a new high-voltage cable. Streetlights and signs were upgraded and kerbs, footways, drains and gulleys replaced as part of the scheme. Despite one of the island s wettest winters, Bouldnor Road reconstructed using Foambase topped by U-LM thin surfacing reopened on time in April. Many local residents came out on the day as they re very appreciative of the finished job, not least because they ve found the new surface is also a lot quieter, Kieron adds. This summer s visitors had a smoother ride. And ground monitoring equipment has been installed to detect any future movement underneath Bouldnor Road. 7

8 insight news How to combat roadworks rage Our people on the front line face a new and growing danger. Jo Barnett, Eurovia UK s Senior Communications Officer, outlines the new training and technology designed to combat this threat. Hospital workers, school teachers, police officers they all run the risk of physical assault from the people they serve. So maybe it shouldn t be any more shocking that road workers can be targets too. Verbal and physical aggression is increasingly being directed at the front-line staff involved in traffic management and road works. That sad reality was starkly illustrated by two attacks earlier this year: a Hounslow Highways traffic management operative was assaulted and kicked on the ground by a motorist; and a supply chain partner s gateman had his leg broken when a driver ignored the warning not to enter a working site on the A411 in Watford. The highway was already a high-risk working environment, as the toll of death and injury caused by oncoming vehicles striking workers has risen over the last decade. So how can this additional threat be curbed? Bearing in mind the potential for conflict when planning works is important; as are clear signing with courtesy notices to encourage responsible driver behaviour; and, when all else fails, supporting police prosecutions. But the rising number of incidents, culminating in those two RIDDOR reportable injuries, showed that Something more had to be done about this violence against our workforce, says Dave Campbell, Eurovia UK Health, Safety and Environment Director. Those additional methods involve technology and training. Difficulties in prosecution are a major problem for the police, particularly where there are no witnesses, says Brett Coupland, Operations Manager in the Eurovia Surfacing division. Brett has first-hand experience of irate drivers who ignore instructions. He was run over when working for South West Highways. Knocked unconscious, I was thrown into the path of oncoming traffic, and it was the quick thinking of my colleague who moved the roller to block the traffic, which stopped it being far worse, he recalls. Eurovia Surfacing has trialled miniature CCTV cameras that clip onto hard hats or apparel. The use of CCTV is advertised on boards, and the film footage, which is tamper-proof, can be used as evidence in a court of law. At least half the reported near misses within the division relate to third-party abuse and threatening behaviour, says Business Manager Paul Kidd. This can be so serious that police protection is required. As more works are carried out at night, some residents get AWARD WINNER SEE PAGE 5 Role play: The new course on conflict management is interactive 8

9 extremely upset at the disturbance and tensions can run high, says Paul. Staff have actually been threatened with a shotgun, an axe and knives, which did result in a police presence on a site in central London. Stop/Go sign poles equipped with digital video cameras are another way to capture evidence that can be used to prosecute irresponsible drivers. Manufactured in-house by Eurosigns, the boards (see page 3) are proving popular at manually controlled worksites on several contracts. Island Roads has been using the hi-tech poles since October last year and is also among the divisions that signed up for Eurovia s latest initiative, a training course in conflict management. Devised with Ram Professional Training, the course was successfully piloted in Hounslow Highways and Ringway Worcestershire (which also pioneered courtesy signs at road works). Ram s instructors teach employees the importance of body language, tone of voice and how to read a situation. Workers receive tips on vehicle awareness to stay safe when talking to someone seated in a car, and they re coached in breakaway techniques to use when an individual threatens violence. The Health and Safety Executive has commended the initiative, and the pilot course was well received by staff. Gary Lehane from Hounslow Highways Network Management team says the training was invaluable in providing lots of tips for dealing with situations, such as keeping your distance and using your hands openly to calm people down; things you don t necessarily think about on a daily basis. Most training rightly emphasises the importance of protecting the public, says Dave Campbell, but if a third party is going to go through a site no matter what, our staff must feel warranted to let them go and call the police. Seal of approval Eurovia UK is a business that values its people and invests in them that s what its own employees and the experts say, writes Clare Habbin, HSE Coordinator. Our Investors in People (IiP) status was confirmed following an external assessment involving interviews with nearly 200 employees across the business. The company has had the IiP seal of approval for many years. These three-yearly reviews test our ongoing commitment to employee development. During the summer, IiP s assessor visited 18 sites and offices, interviewing people involved in all aspects of our work, from divisional operations to managers and MDs. On average people per division met with Pauline Helliar-Symons, an IiP Specialist. "I was particularly impressed by the very positive attitude of staff towards their work, clients and public, despite some quite challenging contracts, Pauline observed. They are personally proud of doing a really high-quality job. Trained to be aware The company s commitment to safety came through even more strongly this time than at the last review, she added, citing near miss reporting and the You said, we did campaign. Employees also have the opportunity to own their work and make their own decisions, and I found this to be motivating too, Pauline said. Eurovia UK fully meets the requirements of the Investors in People National Standard. The company has seen a good number of challenges and changes since the last review three years ago, not least because of the big expansion, but there is a strong senior management team seeing it through these changes. This is backed up by good and regular training that gives people the confidence to know they are doing their work in the best and safest way possible," the assessor concluded. Over 200 people across the business have completed revamped Environmental Awareness Training. The course was updated to reflect our way of working and regulatory requirements two years ago, writes Siobhan Riordan, Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility Advisor. Island Roads trainees completed the one-day course Topics covered include waste management and compliance, environmental legislation and penalties, energy efficiency, water conservation and pollution prevention. All Ringway and Eurovia business leaders need to attend the training. The oneday course is designed not only to increase awareness of environmental risks, but also to improve efficiency, while reducing the number of environmental incidents. We hope that the course will be accredited by the IEMA (Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment) next year. 9

10 insight Super-sizing the fleet for 4G contract BEAR Scotland has begun the 4th-generation term contract to manage the country s north-east trunk network. Andy Thompson, Operating Company Representative, outlines its winter strategy for the next six to eight years. BEAR Scotland first took over management and maintenance of trunk roads in the North East Unit in April Since then, we ve regained the contract twice, most recently in August Our approach to this Fourth Generation contract was shaped by changes in Transport Scotland s specification and our experience elsewhere on the network, including periods of extreme winter weather during the previous contract. The minimum number of spreaders specified has increased from 28 to 40. Of these, 32 must have a capacity of at least 9m 3 and the remainder 6m 3. Two hours is the new minimum treatment time from start to end of all routes and all treatments. This is a significant change. In the 3G contract, the 40gm/m 2 treatments required after rain, and prior to freezing rain and snow could be done in two runs, the second within three hours of completing the first. By going for larger 12m 3 -capacity spreaders we are reducing the number of routes required to carry out 40g/m 2 treatments. The routes are designed so that the whole unit can be treated at appropriate spread rates in a single pass within the two-hour limit. We ve also reduced labour and plant by equipping trucks to both spread prewet salt and spray liquid de-icer. This approach has been proven on our 4G contract for the North West Unit, which began in April It means the new requirement to treat the M90 Friarton Bridge with potassium acetate can be met by the same vehicle treating the carriageway on either side. As with all our winter service provision across Scotland, the main focus is to prevent ice forming on the network through effective precautionary treatment. As well as being equipped to spread pre-wetted salt for single operators, each reserve and patrol spreader has a GPS tracking system, on-board data logging and sensors for monitoring both air and road surface temperatures. These readings will be relayed in real time via a web-based application. We have a revised network of eight depots, operating 14 routes for precautionary treatments up to 20g/m 2, and 20 routes up to 40g/m 2. Based on our long experience, we believe that the 1-in-4-week driver roster we ve planned for the 20gm/m 2 routes is the safest and most sustainable way of complying with the legal limits on drivers hours while protecting the health and welfare of our employees, and safeguarding road users. LIFE SPAN: The surface of Kessock Bridge, which carries the A9 trunk road over the Beauly Firth at Inverness, should be maintenance-free for 30 years following a 14 million revamp. BEAR Scotland, operating company for North West Scotland, re-opened the bridge five weeks early following the resurfacing scheme. This required a specialised highperformance dense mastic asphalt, Gussasphalt, laid by a rail-mounted paver to very high tolerances with no construction joints. Barriers were replaced and a range of other maintenance and safety upgrades completed. Balfour Beatty was main contractor for the works, which were timed to avoid peak tourist seasons and major events between February and June in 2013 and

11 E-team gets the basics right insight news PHOTO: Fred Auckland PHOTO: Christopher Barfoot Major disruption on a busy road link to Heathrow Airport was avoided this summer as Hounslow Highways came up with a carbonsaving solution, while notching up another PFI milestone. Stanwell Road West is a 50mph dual carriageway pounded by HGVs, buses and heavy traffic. This critical route is a Scheme of Specialist Engineering Designation (SSED) under the borough s PFI, and was required to be brought up to standard within the first five years before being maintained over the remainder of the 25- year contract. Detailed visual inspections had pointed to a full reconstruction from the base up. But extensive coring and other tests, carried out in conjunction with Jean Lefebvre (UK), revealed that the road s concrete base was structurally sound. The more cost-effective and environmentally sound solution designed by Jean Lefebvre (UK) was to treat the concrete base with an Armiscreed crack and joint treatment, followed by a regulating course. Then Flexiplast was applied to seal the surface before it was overlaid with high-density macadam topped by a layer of UL-M thin surfacing for durability. Hounslow Highways was responsible for managing traffic to minimise disruption during the works, which took four weeks HANNAH BARTH SERVICE: Joined Eurovia in September from Clugston Construction to complete, against the 26 weeks originally envisaged. This was an innovative, optimised solution, says Martin Clack, Hounslow Highways Construction Manager. And delivering it within a fixed programme involved the close collaboration of a range of Eurovia companies and high-profile stakeholders. The close-knit team included: Hounslow Highways Graduate Engineer Fred Auckland; Eurovia Surfacing s Contract Manager Kevin Vowles and Surfacing Supervisor Martin Graves; Mark Moody from Eurovia Contracting; Graham Shepherd and Kevin Amos of Eurovia Specialist Treatments; Euromark s Craig Sherritt; as well as Michael Wright from JLUK. Among the local organisations consulted were Transport for London, London Buses, BAA Heathrow, other local businesses and logistics companies, the Highways Agency and Surrey County Council. Approaching the end of its second year, Hounslow Highways has now completed four of its ten SSED milestones. JOB: Coming into a different area of the industry, I ve already, in a short period of time, been able to get new experience and faced new challenges. The helpful Assistant QS, Eurovia Contracting (North) management team here has given me an enjoyable and positive start with the company. BY THE WAY: I have an event horse that I compete all over the country. Also, I enjoy clay pigeon and game shooting throughout the season. SEE PAGE 5 AWARD WINNER MAKEOVER MEN: Villages in Worcestershire are receiving a complimentary makeover courtesy of the county council s highways contractor. Ringway Worcestershire made the promise as part of its commitment to corporate responsibility when it was re-awarded the term contract earlier this year. Martley Parish was first to benefit. Cookley village and Malvern Town received their special treatment in August. The extra works included: repairing and repainting a bus shelter, refurbishing oak benches, cutting verges and overgrowth, and revamping the car park of a local football club. Despite Hannah s short length of service, and considering that she is relatively new to quantity surveying, her commitment and acumen is already clearly evident. She has excelled at the tasks she has been given and is already proving to be a valuable member of the team here at Contracting North. Definitely one to look out for in the future. Chris Barfoot, Managing Quantity Surveyor PHOTO: Jane Howles 11

12 insight V-works rises to the challenge of repairs after storms Potholes and other defects across Devon are being repaired more efficiently following the timely introduction of new systems for managing works. Over a year ago SWH rolled out mobile technology to crews, coupled with software that allows its central coordination team to schedule works in the most optimal way. Council works orders, now received electronically at SWH s operations hub, are automatically allocated to gangs, based on the type and location of defects. As the system, called V-works, does this, it takes account of the required completion date and available resources, and plots gangs routes to maximise their efficiency. V-works, operating in a similar vein to Ringway s eserve, sends job details to a mini-ipad held by the gang foreman, who takes before and after photos. It updates the order history and status in real time, relaying the information back to the client s system. The central team can view cluster maps on screen showing the volume of defects, making it easier to plan resources on a daily and weekly basis. In the wake of last winter s relentless storms, when high winds and torrential rainfall wreaked havoc on the Devon network, V-works rose to the challenge. The number of potholes reported shot up from a steady flow of around 600 per week to over 4,000 at its peak, says Glen Robinson, Operations Director. V-works allowed us to monitor resources countywide as the number of repair crews quadrupled to almost 50. The system took the strain of this additional workload, allowing staff to operate more strategically. Pothole reporting has reduced steadily, but by September the level was still 20% up on the same time last year, when the system had just been introduced. However, the same level of resource is being used, which demonstrates the efficiencies we ve achieved, says Glen. Now that things have settled down somewhat we ve recently rolled out V-works to the lining crews and remaining repair crews. SWH is using the system to monitor its increased productivity down to gang level as well as response compliance a contract performance indicator, which stands at 95%. V-works also enables unit costs to be tracked and benchmarked. Currently this is around 41 and remains well below the national average of 52, as published in the 2014 ALARM survey, Glen adds. ROCKBEARE & SCISSORS: Gully wastewater and saline effluent are being recycled by a truly green machine at the Devon HQ of South West Highways. The manmade reed bed at Rockbeare, which is diverting a significant proportion of gully waste from landfill, was officially opened this summer. Students from an Exeter school sponsored by SWH cut the tape, watched by Environment Officer Doug Parker, representing the Environment Agency. The Rockbeare facility s oil interceptor removes hyrocarbons before the wastewater is filtered through six ponds where microbes and reeds break down contaminants and absorb impurities. The cleaned water is re-used in gully tankers. In September SWH started sponsoring Go Karting activities for Southbrook School, which caters for children with complex needs. 12

13 Anti-skid blitz on borough streets Hounslow Highways pushed the borough s safer streets strategy forward this summer, laying high-friction surfacing at 65 sites. Eurovia Specialist Treatments carried out the work, mainly on key junctions and other sites with pedestrian crossings and traffic lights. Following the first trials in London in 1968, the use of anti-skid treatment to increase braking distances grew around the country, but it has declined in recent years. Through the highways PFI we were able to direct the right amount of investment to this important area, says Rob Gillespie, Hounslow Highways Service Director. It is encouraging that Hounslow Highways has chosen this method, adds Paul Goosey, EST Divisional Director. Our continued investment in dedicated equipment allowed us to complete this large volume of work. The highly successful staging of the Tour de France brought plaudits in its wake for Ringway North Yorkshire. From the Prime Minister down to local council officers, and even the motorcycle marshals for the race, there was praise for the Ringway people on the ground, not to mention the months of planning, preparatory works and logistics for the event. Ringway crews were on call throughout the July weekend of the race, along the route and in control centres. First thing each morning they drove the stage route, fixing any new problems before the day s racing. Several situations required rapid action. In Ripon they responded to a burst water main, patching the carriageway just hours before the insight news Tour de force by planners and crews Dawn convoy: Scouting the route at 4am leading cyclists were due. In Skipton, operatives cleared up the debris when a wall was knocked down by spectators. The Harrogate to Skipton road had to be dusted and swept to clear an oil leak from one of the Tour organiser s vehicles. In Harrogate crews helped the police to manage road closures. The hard work of our operatives over two long days working with the emergency services, TdF hub stewards and the Tour Makers helped make it such a fantastic success, says Ringway North Yorkshire Divisional Manager Phil Jepps. We received numerous positive comments after the event. LOCAL MILESTONE: Roads on the Isle of Wight are now being paved with locally produced asphalt. Wight Building Materials opened the island s modern 3.5 million facility this summer, securing jobs at the Blackwater Quarry site and boosting local capacity for aggregate, ready-mixed concrete and asphalt production. A joint venture between Eurovia and Aggregate Industries, WBM s high-performance plant can recycle aggregates and churn out 160t of asphalt per hour. That is more than double its predecessor, and it is also quieter, cleaner and more efficient. Local MP Andrew Turner cut the tape at the opening ceremony in August. WBM serves Island Roads 25-year PFI contract to upgrade and maintain highways and the local building sector. The investment shows our commitment to supporting a sustainable building materials business on the Isle of Wight, says WBM Chairman Simon Willis. 13

14 insight competition PICTURE THAT! More than 200 images were entered for this year s photo competition, and the aim is to top that in Again everyone is encouraged to take part and show the variety of work carried out across the group and your own viewpoint. Our industry is stereotyped by the man in hard hat and hi-vis jacket looking at a piece of plant, says Dave Campbell, HSE Director. That may be part of what we do, but we want to see more varied and imaginative shots as well. Challenge yourself and your colleagues. You can illustrate people s contribution to charity or sustainability. Show Eurovia s values in action. Capture the unusual. Be original. Details about how to enter the competition and the prizes will be announced soon. In the professional photographer category, Eurovia Contracting North won for this image of community engagement on its Loughborough scheme PHOTO: Tom Barnes PHOTO: Héctor Garrido PHOTO: Scott Gailey This year s winners were (from top): 1st Scott Gailey, Eurovia Roadstone, for his shot inside the dryer drum at the Ipswich asphalt plant; and runners-up Tom Barnes, BEAR Scotland, for overnight litter picking on the M8; and Héctor Garrido of Eurovia for his desk scene. 14

15 insight health & safety Workshop points to safer digs A new strategy to promote safe excavating is being rolled out following a review of current performance The review which also examined existing processes, equipment and procedures was held at a workshop in Peterborough on 30 October. This was attended by nominees from the divisions. This approach has the backing of the group s HSE Steering Committee, which called for the initiative to tackle stubbornly high rates of utility strikes and near misses. The strategy will include: new standards in cable avoidance tools; a new approach to training, following a two-day training course in November for safe dig trainers; more detailed incident investigations; more detailed analysis of all relevant data on excavations. Training targets handling injuries Highways work can be hard, but it should never be back-breaking. Yet injuries sustained in handling and carrying made up a quarter of all incidents last year across the group. And the trend continued into A new training programme now being rolled out aims to reverse this unacceptable trend. Incident investigations showed we needed to focus on manual handling training, says Dave Campbell, HSE Director. We looked at the training available and, based on the results achieved in two of our Joint Ventures, decided to trial the training provider Pristine Condition. For the trial programme in Ringway Worcestershire, Pristine Condition assessed the work activities carried out daily in the divisions. This training isn t how to lift boxes in an office, it s about carrying and manoeuvring the equipment our operatives are using, says Dave. The same training will be extended to all term maintenance divisions in the first stage of a three-step approach. Stage two will be training trackers to observe manual handling activities and give feedback on colleagues lifting techniques as a reminder of their training. Then, after three years, there will be a review to assess the results. Pristine Condition, which also supports incident investigations, guarantees at least a 50% reduction in manual handling injuries among trained workers when tracker auditing is in place. PHOTO: Ian Savage 15

16 insight New office gives Essex overview Information on all highway maintenance activities and improvement schemes in Essex is now being funnelled through a central, but virtual, office. Ringway Jacobs launched the Programme Management Office in the summer. The PMO is designed to provide the kind of visibility and control associated with major projects on a highways service contract. We re taking what has been best practice for some time in heavy construction and engineering, and applying it in the services industry, says Steve Postles, the consultant, who managed the project. The PMO is now a central source of knowledge that makes it easier for us and the client to measure effectiveness and efficiency, says Mark Rowe, Service Director. Using web-based tools, managers and officers will be able to remotely access all information to view performance overall, on a particular scheme, or even drill down to depot level. That information is displayed via dashboards, making it easier to organise and absorb. Eight people currently run the virtual office, managing programme planning, analysing data and reviewing performance. Most were already employed in similar roles, while the Head of PMO, Alicja Piotrowska has been recruited from the Buckinghamshire contract, where she was Business Manager. Setting up a central PMO is challenging, says Steve. It is very dependent on discipline. The whole organisation needs to be contributing. But where there are gaps or problems with the quality of information, the PMO highlights this. Data has to be accurate, timely and presented in a consistent way. Templates make this easier, and the amount of information is tailored to need. It s important not to over-burden smaller works with the detail required for large projects, he explains. As a singe source of accurate information, the PMO will help drive performance improvement and provide evidence that the service is reliable, efficient and cost-effective. In tandem with Enfield's push for bikes Highways in Enfield the borough committed to a cycling revolution are now being maintained by Ringway Jacobs under a new contract that started last month. The north London borough is the second to award the joint venture company a full term maintenance contract under LoHAC the pan-london Highways Alliance Contract brokered by Transport for London. Ringway Jacobs is responsible for the TfL network in the north-east quadrant of the capital and has been delivering highway maintenance and improvement schemes on borough roads in Haringey, Enfield s southern neighbour, for over a year. Worth around 20 million a year, the Enfield contract will run to 2021 and involve significant additional design and build work for the 30 million Cycle Enfield project. This initiative is backed by London Mayor Boris Johnson s 100 million mini-holland fund for improvements to encourage cycling by residents in outer boroughs. We are already involved in some exciting urban regeneration schemes with potential for much more, says Phil Skegg, Operations Director. Almost 50 staff have transferred from EM Highway Services and AH Nicholls for the contract. They are based at a new depot in Picketts Lock, strategically located for both Enfield and Haringey contracts. Enfield Civic Centre 16

17 insight people PHOTO: Ian Savage TIMEOUT WITH: Ray Groves I used to work in the family business, a civil engineering and plant hire company in north London. When Ringway offered me a full-time role, I was self-employed subcontractor, working on a six-week kerbing contract. It s strange the way my training career happened. I joined as a general operative in March 2000, was made general foreman by the end of the year. Then I was an NVQ Assessor, a supervisor and did several managerial jobs. I relished the challenge when I moved to the Training Department fulltime in It s absolutely invaluable as a trainer having done the work yourself. It gives you a connection with the people you re training. It s very rewarding passing on Our workforce can multi-task much more than 15 years ago when it was one man, one job. Training makes us a lot more efficient and gives people a rounder understanding of the job and challenges other people face. The bureaucracy surrounding training has grown due to national qualifications and standards constantly changing. There s a danger managers under pressure to meet targets see training as a paper-signing exercise. The priority should always be quality, not speed. The challenge when you ve got a room of people with widely ranging experience is not to teach the old hands how to suck eggs: you help them share their experience and feel part of it. Some are cynical about training. But knowledge and experience I ve gained, our forefathers had to strive for better and helping trainees do the same. working conditions, because they were You re making a difference in how being seriously injured and killed at safely we work. work. We all need to remember. If you have a problem, who do you turn to? All employees of Ringway and Eurovia are entitled to free, confidential support. Christmas can be a stressful time for some. FirstAssist counsellors are on call to listen and advise on relationship difficulties, debt or other worrries. FIRSTASSIST Senior Group Plant and Core Skills Instructor, Eurovia UK With Christmas approaching, now is a great time to save money on your shopping. As an employee of Ringway and Eurovia you are entitled to a wide range of special offers and discounts. From savings on supermarket essentials to luxury gifts, check out the deals on our Employee Benefits Website. Welcome apprentices This autumn sees a further 20 highways apprentices join our term services businesses, writes Kristine Pollock, Group Human Resources Director. They will spend the coming two years learning DISCOUNTS and working, obtaining a Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Construction Operations and Civil Engineering Services. During 2014 we have also welcomed more than 15 other apprentices in street cleansing, street lighting and business administration. Our ongoing commitment to the recruitment and development of young people does not end there. In 2014 we have had 15 students on summer placements, seven on year-long industry placements, as well as three people from our parent company, Eurovia SA, on shorter placements. Meanwhile, we appointed seven graduates to fulltime positions, and have already offered places for 2015 to five more. Our graduate programme has now been running for more than ten years, and our scheme providing employment to apprentices began seven years ago. We intend to continue this approach into 2015 and beyond. Just call:

18 insight news Model shows how to save by spending A smarter approach to managing highway assets is reaping both savings and higher investment in Buckinghamshire. Transport for Buckinghamshire (TfB) the alliance between the county council and Ringway Jacobs has been working with Jean Lefebvre (UK) to model different scenarios and longterm strategies for maintaining the network. The initiative is a response to low levels of public satisfaction and the need to tackle a large backlog of work on the network. This required rigorous analysis of survey data, including footways, in unprecedented detail to get a better picture of its condition. Drawing on its experience on the Isle of Wight and Hounslow PFIs, and its pavement design expertise, JLUK then developed long-term lifecycle models for all carriageways and footways on the network. For A-roads, a standalone 8 million asset management plan has been developed to trigger correctly timed interventions to maintain these strategic routes in a serviceable condition. Jonathan Core, JLUK Divisional Manager, says: This is a spend-to-save strategy where investment now will reap savings in the long term. The team in Bucks has also used the Lifecycle Planning Model of the Government-backed Highways Maintenance and Efficiency Programme (HMEP) to test scenarios for different treatment plans, budgets and condition profiles. Our work to date has helped secure additional budget for the 2014/15 carriageways programme, as well as savings through reduced reactive maintenance across Buckinghamshire, says Jonathan. Highway authorities have to show they have robust asset management strategies to obtain a greater share of the 5.8 billion local highways fund proposed for by the Department for Transport. AWARD WINNER SEE PAGE 5 PHOTO: LINDSAY BORTHWICK MADELINE CLEWETT SERVICE: Transferred 18 months ago from Isle of Wight Council. THE JOB: I m responsible for the ground monitoring network for 23 sites, some on active landslides. They cause numerous problems for the network but make this an interesting place to Geotechnical Engineer, Island Roads work in terms of geology and geotechnics. I love the outdoors and I m lucky to have a very varied job. BY THE WAY: Outside of work I play for my local tennis club, enjoy yoga and I m a keen kite surfer. Maddy produces comprehensive reports and analysis on any movement, informing the design process at an early stage. She has also shown her abilities in project management by delivering a difficult piling job at the Undercliff. Maddy was adept at dealing with the public and this is a huge asset as there is immense interest. Kieron Blamey, Geotechnical Project Manager 18

19 How we insight sustainability can cut our bills Gas and electricity bills are some of the biggest costs of running a business or home. Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility Advisor Siobhan Riordan explains how we can cut costs and carbon too. JOINT PURCHASING Each year Eurovia UK spends over 1.4 million on electricity and gas supplies for 64 properties and a street lighting contract. To get the best terms possible, we have joined forces with VINCI companies in the UK to work with an energy consultancy, who will broker our energy purchasing for us. Schneider, the company who tendered to win this role, is already familiar with our portfolio of properties as they have handled our Carbon Reduction Tax for the last four years. Schneider will remove the burden of administering multiple energy contracts as well as cutting costs. Currently, when our energy contracts run out, they go on to a different tariff, which can often be double the previous rate. This is a trap we have been falling into for many of our properties. With this new agreement, the consultancy will manage these contract renewals for us, getting a good rate and ensuring we don t end up paying penalties. So, in the next few months Schneider will be contacting each business to review your property energy contracts and ensure that we capture all renewals under the same agreement. In turn, this will make us a more attractive customer to suppliers, helping us minimise that energy bill in the future too. HOME SAVINGS Now s a great time to switch your home gas and electricity supplier as well. Winter is on the way and while energy prices are still quite stable at the moment, they tend to rise at this time of year. The average household spends 1,100 on its annual energy bills. Many can save 100s as well as guarantee no price hikes with a fixed tariff. This freezes the price of each unit of energy you use for a set time. But beware of contracts with early exit fees. It s important to compare the different deals available as it s not possible to point to one tariff that s best value for everybody. Prices depend on your region and how much you consume. Websites like uswitch.com and moneysavingexpert.com can help guide you to the best deals. Some providers also throw in free roof and wall insulation with their deals too, which may enable you to cut your consumption, saving 100s more every year. ENERGY AUDITS The focus on energy will increase in 2015, when another new regulation comes into force. ESOS (the Energy Saving Opportunity Scheme) requires that all large organisations complete an energy audit of each property they occupy. This audit will identify improvements leading to greater energy efficiency, cost savings and carbon reductions. So, it s an opportunity to make our business more efficient. Completing assessments of all our properties in one year will be a huge commitment. Each report must detail the costs of proposed improvements, the time to pay back the investment and the expected reduction in future energy bills. We need to take on board the recommendations and plan the improvements that will make Eurovia more energy-efficient and benefit our bottom line as well as the environment. 19

20 insight news The bridges of Shropshire county They have withstood the passage of time, flood and traffic they were never designed for. The country s masonry arch bridges are valued by local communities, and deserving of sympathetic care and repair. In Shropshire, Ringway s Bridges and Structures Team has been hard at work since the spring, repairing and restoring crossings in the wake of winter storms. Aston Bridge, spanning the River Roden near Wem, was built in A listed structure, its leaning downstream face was at risk of collapse. Before work could safely begin, a propping system had to be designed and built. The team then stripped back the parapet and spandrel walls down to the arch ring. Its other parapet was also removed and rebuilt, PHOTO: Ian Eastgate while masonry repairs were carried out on the abutment walls. Myddle stone was selected and cut on site to replace damaged blocks. Ringway Supervisor and Blockmason Mike Hughes led the team, which included local block and stone masons. Their efforts were praised by local councillor Chris Mellings: This is an historic bridge of great character. We have been concerned for some time about its state and are obviously delighted the repairs have been carried out so sympathetically by Ringway. A conservationist approach was also required at Burlington Ford, off the A5 near Crackley Bank. Used by southbound traffic, the ford s cobbled splashdown was hazardous after years of patchwork repairs, but the Parish Council was keen to retain the remaining setts. These were excavated by Ringway Shropshire s Operative Mike Hughes. As sandbags kept the water at bay, the cobbles were re-set in concrete and finished off with a specialist quick-setting grout, before the ramps either side were resurfaced by hand with asphalt. The two-week job was completed, to the delight of the Parish Council, in September. Q&A with Ian Eastgate, Bridges and Structures Supervisor, Ringway Shropshire. HOW MANY STRUCTURES ARE THERE IN THE COUNTY? We have over 1,000 bridges and structures across Shropshire to attend to, which keeps our full-time team extremely busy. HOW BIG IS YOUR TEAM? During our busiest period which is April through to October we have up to ten gangs. During the quieter winter period, when our focus is on emergency works only, we have five gangs consisting of two, three or four people. WHY IS IT QUIETER IN THE WINTER? The specialist materials we use are affected by the winter weather conditions. Also, as much of our work involves working in and around water courses, we have to be careful about interfering with protected species such as fish, Great Crested newts, crayfish, otters, water voles and bats. DO YOUR TEAMS WORK IN DEEP WATER? Although we are often working in water, we only work up to knee level. Where water is deeper, we call upon specialist diving teams. WHAT SCHEMES HAVE YOU COMPLETED THIS YEAR? We ve done a few but the ones I m particularly proud of include Lloyney Bridge on the Powys border, Aston Bridge and Burlington Ford (see above). The two bridges are listed and were partially collapsing because they simply weren t designed for today s heavy traffic. It was particularly challenging to figure out how to fix them, from 20

21 Fast-growing division goes extra mile in Rotherham Eurovia Contracting s team in the North moved into new offices in September. With continued growth of the business, the division had outgrown the old depot in Wath upon Dearne, Rotherham and moved to a new, larger office only a mile away. We wanted to stay in the same area as it is a good location for staff, clients, suppliers and is close to the M1 and A1, so the Midlands or North of England are equally accessible, says Kevin Graham, Divisional Director. We felt it was time to move to a more appropriate base, in keeping with the business we are now. The division has quadrupled over the past six years. Eurovia Contracting (North) employs over 70 people, although many are based on site. Silkstone House has desk space for up to 40 people and can host meetings, workshops or training sessions for up to 20 at a time. shoring them up to getting the right materials. On Burlington Ford, we carefully excavated the original cobbles and reset them which has given the job a really nice finish. DO YOU SOURCE ORIGINAL MATERIALS? We work very closely with the council, parish councils and heritage organisations to restore the structures as sympathetically as possible. Obviously we do have to use modern materials but tend to use those underneath. On Lloyney Bridge, for example, we pumped a specially designed mix of underwater concrete to secure the scour to the abutment, and the wing wall was built out of cropped walling stone, which we use on most bridges. WHAT SKILLS DO YOU NEED IN YOUR TEAM? The team are either stonemasons, shutterers (form workers), bricklayers or experienced in concrete works or in all of these areas. When we require other specialist skills, we tend to use specialist subcontractors. WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU? I have to say that Peter Gould - the previous Bridges and Structures Supervisor - was a huge inspiration for me and the team. Without him, I can honestly say we wouldn t be where we are today. PHOTO: Matt Stubbings Ideal test site for hybrid surfacing Cash-strapped UK highway authorities have another resurfacing solution to choose from following a successful trial of a new product in Cheshire West. Developed by Eurovia SA in France, Gripseal combines the benefits of surface dressing and Eurovia s proprietary product, GripFibre without the drawbacks of the former. Proven in South Africa, Canada and Europe over recent years, Gripseal seals the pavement and provides a low-noise surface with no loose aggregate. London Road, a country lane leading through the Cheshire town of Boston Green, was badly in need of surface dressing, and well suited to this traditional solution. Except, that is, for the resultant tracking of emulsion on residents shoes, tyre noise and risk from flying chips. As a conventional asphalt system was beyond the council s budget, Eurovia Specialist Treatments evaluated other options, says Divisional Director Paul Goosey. The priorities were to waterproof the existing surface layer and provide a stable and quiet running surface as there was only minor surface deformation despite the crazing and cracking. Boston Green was an ideal location for this first UK trial, he explains. Using the skills of both EST s surface dressing and GripFibre teams, this was successfully completed over two days this summer. Abroad, Gripseal has mostly been used as a cold-technology alternative to thin surfacings, with large areas treated daily to reap economic and environmental benefits. This is an innovative product that Eurovia will be promoting within the UK, says Paul. 21

22 PHOTO: Dave Bojko PHOTO: Gifford Morris insight news New contract has Kent covered... Night works: on the M6 Toll...as Alliance marches on In Southend-on-Sea, a 750,000 highway maintenance contract comprising seven sites has been delivered with coated materials supplied by Eurovia Roadstone s Dagenham plant. Also in Southend borough, work continues on its 500,000 public realm scheme on the A13 Queensway. Earlier this year a major resurfacing improvement scheme was completed for Cambridgeshire County Council on a 2km stretch of the A141 Isle of Ely Way. The Contracting Division has also begun work under a new framework agreement with QinetiQ, the research and technology organisation for the Ministry of Defence. Eurovia secured the three-year deal for road and pavement repairs and maintenance at QinetiQ s facilities, including Farnborough, Boscombe Down, Malvern and other sites across the UK. Both the Surfacing and Contracting Divisions are involved in the current works programme. Roads across the whole of Kent are being resurfaced by Eurovia Contracting under a new two-year Highway Maintenance Contract that started this summer. Sites will be programmed over five main phases for resurfacing, as well as line marking, minor drainage works, joint sealing, ironwork, highfriction surfacing and the installation of traffic loops. The contract will be reviewed in 2016 and can be extended for a further two years. It follows Eurovia Contracting s successful management and delivery of the Kent Highway Maintenance Lot 1 Contract that covered the north of the county. The division has also successfully completed a 1.5 million major reconstruction scheme on a 2km stretch of the M42/M6 Toll Road, which included a new traffic monitoring system on the four-lane carriageway, for Midland Expressway Ltd. Eurovia Contracting has successfully completed further contracts under the Eastern Highways Alliance Framework. Southend's Western Esplanade: one of the resurfaced sites 2015 is going to be tasty! Keep your eyes peeled for the 2015 Eurovia Calendar, which is coming to desktop computers across the business There will be healthy (and delicious) recipe tips, competitions to enter, easy exercises to keep you fit, and more. Each month will have a different theme and simple, practical advice, all designed with your wellbeing in mind. The calendar will help promote and coordinate various competitions that will be spread out over the coming months. It s the first desktop design we have produced, says Dave Campbell, HSE Director, and its themes will be supported by posters and pictorial toolbox talks. So its key messages will be communicated out across the business and not just to those working in an office environment. 22

23 22/23_Layout 1 03/12/ :33 Page 2 insight community COMMUNITY ROUND-UP THREE BY SIX Six employees from Ringway and Eurovia took up the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in September. Richard Whitaker from Ringway North Yorkshire and Barrie Stephens of Eurovia Contracting North were joined by Suzanne Seaman, Lucinda Welch, Steve Jeffery and Dean Stead from Milton Keynes. They completed the 25-mile walk climbing 1600m on the county s highest hills: Pen y Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough in 11 and a quarter hours. Their feat raised over 500 for Macmillan to support people living with cancer. PITCHING IN Staff at Horsham head office marked September s Volunteering Month by clearing nettles, brambles and pond vegetation, and tackling other tasks around Broadbridge Guide Camp. Led by Siobhan Riordan, the team comprised Sam Bearne, Julie Frogley, Claire Branfield, Iain Anderson, Sarah McGurk and Les Hewitt from the CCTV division. BACK TO FUTURE Graduates working for Island Roads went back to school to inspire Year 7 students to consider Science, Civil Engineering and Technology careers. Joanne Huett, Will Orr, Jason Boulter and Lindsay Borthwick ran a day s science-based activities as 120 students at CAKE & COFFEE Hounslow Highways raised just over 500 on the World s Biggest Coffee Morning for Macmillan Cancer Support. Insurance Officer Angela Ames organised the day s array of home-baked and shop-bought cakes, scones and cupcakes with help from CIP Administrator Emma Craw (pictured). CHRIS DOVEY Contracts Manager, Ringway Worcestershire PHOTO: IAN SAVAGE SERVICE: 52 years in total; TUPE d to Ringway in THE JOB: I have thoroughly enjoyed my working career. Starting as a road worker, I was a Foreman within two years. Later I took over the WCC special works department for major sites and bridgeworks. Now I m glad to be involved in this contract which is the best it s ever been. BY THE WAY: Chris is a keen gardener, has recently taken up walking as a pastime, and enjoys his winter break to the Canaries. PHOTO: Alice Campion Medina High School learnt about drainage and building roads and bridges. Chris es to continu lth of ea w bring a e to the c n ie r expe ays t. He alw contrac commitment t total shows excellen s as an nger t c a d n a to you mentor of staff. rs membe Rowley, Dave nal Divisio r e g a n Ma 23

24 insight news President Gibby lobbies politicians Eurovia s David Gibby has been busy during this autumn s political party conferences co-hosting fringe meetings in his role as President of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT). On his inauguration this summer, David chose Making the Journey as his theme for the year. This is also the title of the manifesto published by the CIHT in September calling for a clear national transport strategy for the UK. David led the successful PFI bid for the Isle of Wight, and the chartered engineer remains involved in some of the more David with Danny Alexander, Chief technically Secretary to the Treasury challenging aspects of the core investment phase, while also fulfilling his CIHT duties. Rotherham contract is latest for Alliance Works to repair an elevated section of the Sheffield Parkway are underway as Eurovia Contracting (North) consolidates its links with the Midlands Highway Alliance. The Old Flatts Pool Green: new junction Bridge project is the under construction first to be let under the MHA s second framework agreement for medium-sized schemes (MSF2). Although it lies within Rotherham borough, Old Flatts Bridge forms part of the main route into Sheffield from Junction 33 of the M1. carriageway was completed in The 3 million scheme for the March this year. Another 3.4 million metropolitan borough council will scheme, to transform the Pool Green continue until autumn next year. roundabout on the A630 Centenary Eurovia s North division has worked Way into a four-way signalised with Rotherham on several highprofile schemes over the last 10 years. completion in the spring. junction, is on site now and due for Construction of the 11.5 million Both contracts were awarded under A57 Todwick Bypass a 1km dual the previous MHA framework. PHOTO: Matt Stubbings BEDS & BOLLARDS: Vegetables and herbs are being grown in raised beds built by Ringway volunteers for a food bank in Milton Keynes. Buszy, a charity for disabled and disadvantaged young people, occupies the town s former bus station. The 12- strong Ringway Milton Keynes team also applied specialist paint to smarten up its old bus-bay bollards, restoring their plaques displaying the bay numbers. As well as a sustainable supply of fresh produce for a local food bank charity, the large raised beds will provide activities for the people Buszy aims to help. ISLAND AWARDS: Projects to improve people s life skills and reduce social exclusion are being considered for cash awards by a new charitable foundation. The Isle of Wight Foundation, launched in the summer by Island Roads, is modelled on the VINCI Foundation, created by Eurovia s parent company in The first awards, ranging from 3,000 to 16,000, will be announced in December. Insight is published by Eurovia UK Ltd, Albion House, Springfield Road, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 2RW Feedback to: Tracey Elms, Group Marketing & PR Manager. E: Tracey.Elms@Eurovia.co.uk Edited & produced by Silke & Co. W: Designed by Tom Thompson Design. E: tomtom@dircon.co.uk Printed on Revive 50:50 Silk, a recycled paper containing 50% recycled waste and 50% virgin fibre, and manufactured at a mill certified to ISO environmental management standards. The pulp used in this product is bleached using an ECF (elemental chlorine-free) process. 24