Civil Engineering, Rail contractor & Build Specialists
St James Square Regeneration
St James Square Regeneration
Our Client required an experienced Principal Contractor to regenerate St James Square as a sense of place and provide residents and visitors with an attractive public realm space.
Action
- Site clearance works
- The replacement of old and worn private utility apparatus
- Realignment and reconstruction of new stone footpaths through the square
- Introduction of a resin filled stone labyrinth based upon that in Chartres Church, France, and etched feature paving.
- Renovation and relocation of the “Memorial to Fishermen” statue
- Provision for new street furniture and lighting throughout the square
- Introduction of new tiered landscaping and grassed areas
- Provision of hard standing areas constructed in new stone
Stakeholders
Key stakeholders on this project included the public, Freshney Plance Shopping Centre, St James Hotel, and Grimsby Minster. Early and ongoing liaison was critical with these stakeholders to help minimise disturbance. At site level, this was managed by our resident Site Manager who consulted with stakeholders on a daily basis, integrating individual requirements into task specific risk assessments and method statements, and programming. Key project updates were also provided to the client’s communications team for wider distribution.
Challenges and Solutions
Ensuring public safety, managing foot traffic and access requirements was the initial challenge. To overcome this, we worked in close collaboration with the client and key stakeholders to establish detailed phasing plans, diversion routes, and manage access requirements. We also ensured that services at the Minster could continue by sympathetically planning works to avoid service times and ensure vehicle and pedestrian accesses to the building remained clear.
With works being adjacent to the Minster, there was significant historical interest in the project. During site clearance and excavation works, we facilitated an on-site archaeologist who collaborated with our team to examine any items of interest, unearthed during the works.
One of the most significant challenges to project delivery was the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. We worked proactively to implement government guidance and develop in-house procedures to ensure works could continue safely. In addition, we worked in close collaboration with our supply chain to minimise programme risk due to global material shortages through vesting key materials and re-using elements of site won material.
Result
We handed over this high quality public realm project with zero defects. This was achieved through implementing our ISO compliant policies and procedures, coupled with self-delivery of key aspects of the project, and continual liaison with the Client’s Clerk of Works.
The Difference We Made
We provided the local community with an attractive and useable public space to enjoy for years to come. Commenting on the completed project, North East Lincolnshire’s Mayor, Councillor David Hasthorpe, said ‘This is fantastic – a tremendous difference. Everyone involved should take huge pride in what has been achieved…’