The A14 Integrated Delivery Team (IDT), which comprises three joint ventures, between Costain-Skanska, Balfour Beatty-Carillion and Atkins-CH2M Design, is working on behalf of Highways England to deliver this new piece of improved highway. The work will relieve congestion, reduce accidents, connect communities and decrease journey times, with the new road on-course to open by the end of 2020.
According to Mick George the project team is committed to positive engagement with local communities, employing local workers and companies wherever possible. To that end, local business Mick George Ltd has been contracted to complete a significant proportion of work on the project, for which circa 1,000 locally-sourced staff members are employed, of which 150 have been recruited for this project alone.
Mick George’s principal services include earthworks, demolition, concrete & aggregate supply and waste management, most of which have been used within the improvement works. The company is recognised as a positive presence in the waste management industry, with impressive growth figures and forecasts to reinforce this.
Following on from the recent announcement that the organisation has landed a lucrative £16 million contract for the supply of concrete for the main highway build, the Company has now been awarded a further £1million agreement for the exclusive supply of skip and waste management services.
With more than a quarter of the project’s main construction work now complete, owing thanks to the 2,200-strong labour force that has completed a total of 3 million hours worked to date, there is a considerable volume of differing construction, trade and general waste materials being produced.
The project is proactively looking at ways to minimise the impact of the scheme, especially those that will positively influence environmentally.
David Bray, Highways England’s A14 Project Director stated: ‘’We’ve been using innovative ways of working to speed up construction, and we’ve done this while looking after the environment. This is evident in our drive to reduce and reuse our waste.’’
As with the supply of concrete materials, the decision to award a local supplier with the waste management contract, drastically reduces the number of vehicle movements and distance travelled along routes throughout the counties road infrastructure, consequently improving the project’s green credentials.
Alongside this benefit, Mick George Ltd has committed to provide complimentary containers for all waste metal materials produced, charging only for the haulage. Any proceeds gained from the sale of the recycled metals will go back to the scheme to become part of the A14 Community Fund, which supports local community projects.
Michael George, Contracts Director of Mick George Ltd commented: ‘’The A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme has been long overdue and we are extremely excited about playing a key role in the scheme’s development and delivery. It is fantastic that Highways England recognise the strategic benefits of using local suppliers, adding significant value and benefits to the wider local economy and communities.’’
