Shanco Contracts has successfully completed the groundworks for a 66-bed care home project in Derby. The project involved various elements of works, including the initial enabling works, the formation of a Geogrid reinforced piling platform, setting out and cropping 230 steel driven piles, the installation of some 720 linear metres of reinforced ground beams and two cast in-situ reinforced concrete lift pits. We also installed the full drainage package for the works, incorporating internal and external drainage runs, flow control systems, permeable areas and offsite connections, falling under NRSWA requirements with the local authority. 

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One of the unique challenges faced during the project was the presence of three tree protection areas across the site; and in modern construction, it is vital to protect and preserve these natural amenities for the good of the environment and the community. The protected trees (which includes the canopies and root systems) were in close proximity to the building itself, once constructed, which limited access width in places to less than 1.2m. This required the project works to be carefully planned and sequenced from the outset, completing works in the conflicting areas before the above-ground building works commenced, whilst also considering the access needs of other contractors and our own second phase external works sequencing. To protect the trees and root systems at the higher levels, and to provide aesthetically pleasing solutions, Shanco constructed a 40 linear metre cast in-situ reinforced concrete retaining wall and three timber sleeper walls across the project.

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The project also included new ducting supplies and plant room slabs to enable service installations to feed the care home upon operation. Hard and soft landscaping was also carried out, including the formation of the car park, footpaths and block paved areas around the building. 

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Another challenge on the project was the foul water drainage connection, which required a 2.7m deep excavation in the adjacent public highway to allow for the care home to be connected to the sewerage system. Shanco acted on behalf of the client to assist in arranging the S.106 agreement with the statutory undertaker and then liaised with the local authority to ensure that the necessary permissions were in place. Due to the depth of the excavation and working space required, the works needed to be carried out under a traffic light controlled single lane closure of the highway, incorporating a safe diversion route for pedestrians. Temporary bus stops had to be established to minimise traffic disruption, requiring consultation with the local bus operator. We had to liaise several weeks in advance with the local authority to ensure that the proposed traffic and pedestrian management plans and work methodology were suitable and sufficient. We also consulted with other statutory undertakers to ensure that there was no conflict with their assets in the area, carrying out investigative trial holes to confirm positions and types of services present.

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Due to the depth of the excavation, temporary shoring had to be used to support the excavation and make it safe for operatives to enter, and consideration had to be made for working on a live sewer. The shoring system chosen incorporated the confined space access equipment, meaning the excavation support and safe access were ensured. The operatives not only had to be NRSWA accredited to work on the highway but also had to have attained the C&G Confined Space qualification to meet the statutory undertaker’s requirements, which Shanco was able to satisfy. 

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This project highlights the value of a methodical approach and early engagement when working within limited spaces, as well as the strict adherence to stringent planning and sequencing which allowed for the successful completion of yet another LNT project, delivered to the given programme. 

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“It is with much enthusiasm that I am writing to recommend the services of Shanco Contracts, further to the completion of our new care home project in Derby. Due to our long-standing relationship, we work with the Shanco site team as a partner and not a sub-contractor, and we have always been completely satisfied with the quality of their work; they deliver on programme, and are a pleasure to work with. When challenges arise, they are met with a solution-focused, can-do attitude ensuring the project runs smoothly at all times. Well done to the Shanco team on another successful project.” - Mark – Construction Manager