With the aim of becoming a first–class manufacturing and industrial logistics hub, bringing 1,000 new jobs to the Midlands, SPARK Walsall required various highway improvements to ensure the safety of future employees and pedestrians. We worked alongside our client, Henry Boot Developments to maximise the potential and opportunities this groundbreaking development can provide.
The 25-week project included improvement works to an existing highway, facilitating the development of a state-of-the-art logistics hub based in the heart of the Midlands, between M6 junctions, 9 and 10. Designed with a focus on Net Zero Carbon, the brand-new destination will provide logistics and manufacturing operators with a variety of sustainable property solutions, ranging from 20,000 to 315,000 sq ft.
As a first step, we ensured all permits were in place, including S278 agreements, avoiding potential issues later down the line. As part of the S278 works and to allow ease of access for users, we created and tarmacked new pathways, vital for future pedestrian access to the hub, laying local authority-compliant road markings, as well installing additional street lighting and traffic.
The new hub’s location between two motorway junctions means public access was critical. We undertook an extensive programme of highways work, including the installation of a signal-controlled T0junction and right turn lane, to ensure smooth and safe entry for all visitors to the hub, whether vehicle or pedestrian.
We also laid a new car park for the development and residents of the surrounding area using recycled aggregate, allowing us to minimise costs, maintain safety levels and drive sustainable practices.
Our approach to early engagement shone with this project, allowing us to be on-hand from day one to provide clear advice and guidance, delivering the works with price and programme certainty.
Managing unpredictable weather
This project felt the full effects of an unusually wet and windy Autumn, with multiple separate storms hitting the country. To manage the effects of the wild weather, our team took extra measures throughout the project to minimise any delays to surfacing works, ensuring that the works were carried out on time.
Tarmac troubles
When posed with difficulty sourcing blue tarmac to support with preventing skidding, our team of experts developed new solutions that saved our client money and time in the long run. Instead of the usual blue tarmac, we sourced a hot-application anti-skid material as an alternative to achieve a PSV (Polished Stone Value) 68+, keeping the road surfaces skid-resistant and standing the test of time.
View our other civil engineering and infrastructure projects here.
