The contract to build the £19.5 million, two-story, eco-friendly development has been won by EG Carter and Co Ltd, a well-known and well-respected Gloucester-based contractor. Whilst E G Carter & Co Ltd will undertake the works above dpc, the extensive earthworks and groundworks package has been won by Midlands based JB1 Construction on behalf of E G Carter & Co Ltd.
“We have worked with E G Carter on several projects in the past.” Operations Director Mark Virgo comments. “Like us, they like to deliver a very high-end finish on their projects, working closely with sub-contractors to deliver the quality a client demands.”
JB1 Construction and sister firm JB1 Plant Hire are a West Midlands based company specialising in the delivery of complex groundworks and civil engineering packages. To support this work the company has built up a large plant fleet from a wide range of manufacturers and includes everything from mini diggers to soil stabilisation equipment along with a transport fleet to deliver the kit where and when it is required.
Whilst the fleet is varied, much of the machinery has been sourced through Molson Equipment based in Avonmouth. “We get a good service from the Molson team.” Mark comments. “The kit they supply is very good, reliable, fuel efficient and cost effective and if something goes wrong, they are very quick to respond and get the issue sorted. We have a range of Kobelco excavators on the fleet as they offer us the productivity and reliability we need. They also deliver very good levels of fuel economy which not only reduces our running costs but also our emissions.”
The site at Gloucester has seen JB1 bring in a pair of 22 tonne Kobelco SK210LC-11E excavators, both of which have been supplied with the latest 3D Trimble Earthworks package from Sitech. “We have been a big Trimble user for many years.” Mark comments. Whilst we have the engineering technology to complete a job ‘old school’, having the ability to do without pegs, batter rails or a man constantly checking levels not only increases our safety on site, but it also adds to productivity.”
“HAVING THE
RIGHT MACHINES
AND
RIGHT TEAM
WITH THE
RIGHT ATTITUDE
IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN
REACH OUR GOAL
”
Productivity is a key feature of JB1’s operations with Mark and his team starting the project just a few weeks prior to our site visit. “We have hit the ground running.” He comments. “We have had to deal with a few constraints on the project which have altered our methodology for the early week, but we have an experienced team working here and one which is very flexible and like me, keen to deliver a quick and safe job.”
The land being used for the new development sits in a mainly residential area, surrounded by houses and with just a single access point. With the inevitable interface between construction teams and local residents Mark and his team have had to work under intense pressure to open up the site quickly whilst keeping disturbance for the local residents to an absolute minimum. “We have had very limited room in which to work but have installed a large drainage tank under the access road before bringing it up to formation, installing the kerbs and footpaths and base coating with tarmac.” Mark explains. “This is above and beyond what a normal site would have to do, but because we wanted to keep the roads as clean as possible and minimise disturbance to the residents, this part of the project is now complete and not only forms a neat and tidy access point to the site but also reduces our costs in keeping the area clean.”
Into the site itself and the JB1 team is pushing through the demanding groundworks package. With a 14 tonne machine commencing work on the footings and bolt boxes, a second 14 tonner on some of the drainage works, the larger Kobelco machines are busy on road formation, attenuation pond construction and the formation of a material lay-down area for the construction works.
We caught up with experienced operator Dai Davies who has taken the keys for one of the new Japanese arrivals. “I’ve been a big fan of the Kobelco machines for over forty years.” He comments. “My first machines was a 13 tonner with zero tail swing and it was a great bit of kit. Over the years I’ve operated a lot of Kobelco diggers and whilst the modern machines are relatively similar in their levels of comfort and operating style, I’d pick a Kobelco over anything else. This new machine is very smooth and comfortable and has plenty of space behind the seat for me to throw in some bits and pieces. It’s very quiet too, probably because of the 4-cylinder engine, but I also think it’s because the cab is so well-sealed.”
Mark Virgo Operations Director JB1 Construction Ltd.
With the entire project in the Trimble system, Dai is able to track anywhere on site and pick up exactly what needs to be done at the touch of a button. “I’ve been using Trimble for a long time and find the Earthworks package very easy to use.” He comments. “It holds so much information and for those not used to such a system, could be daunting. But, like anything, having that hands on practice with it allows you to open up so many options with it. We have it set up to show high spots in red, level in green and low spots in blue which allows us to get our levels spot on. The attenuation pond we are currently on with has been formed on two sides to a -300mm level which gives us the offset for topsoiling. Soils from the site strip have been piled on the other part of the pond and as I make my way through loading this out, I can quickly switch back to the model to make sure I don’t over-dig and profile the sides of the pond as I go along.”
As is the case with many projects, water management is an important part of the project and JB1’s team are having to install hundreds of metres of drainage and interceptor pipework to ensure water is managed and cleaned before being discharged into the sewerage system. “In terms of complexity, it’s not that bad.” Mark explains. “The volume of pipework is immense though not only to drain the car park, but also the rainwater harvesting and internal drainage from the building itself. So far, we have managed to keep the three gangs working on separate parts of the site, but as we start working our way in, it’s going to get very congested.” Whilst drains and footings to allow the building work to start is important, Mark is also pushing his teams to complete the road structure and associated parking places prior to building work starting.” I want to try and get almost all of our large works completed before Carter start their works.” He explains. “This includes all car parking places, kerbing and base layer of tarmac to allow contractors to park on site and not on the residential streets outside the site.”
The recent spell of dry weather has been a double-edged sword for Mark allowing works to progress at a phenomenal rate but also creating an issue with dust. “Being so close to residential properties we have had to employ dust suppression to keep dust down on not only the incoming aggregates but also on our soils from the earthworks elements. We have also had to adhere to tight delivery times which have reduced our ability to operate as we would normally do on a tight program such as this. Thankfully, having the right machines and right team with the right attitude is the only way we can reach our goal.”