Following the installation of band drains and the subsequent installation of surcharge, the settlement at Alexander Avenue link road has reached the stage where the project’s engineering designers WSP are reviewing the testing data to permit the next stage of construction.
The SGN (gas) diversion at Westmains has been complete which is the first of many utility diversion required to complete the scheme.
Following band drain installation earlier in the project, 4 of 7 areas have been loaded with surcharge and are now in a proposed 6 month period of settlement.
Check Dams (to reduce water flow) have been constructed within the swale (shallow drainage channel) from Gateway to Etna Roundabout.
Drainage works have started across the site to tie the permanent surface water drainage network into the new swales.
Tubular piling works have commenced with the initial Test pile installation to validate the design. Temporary sheet piling will commence in the near future in the Midthorn area in order to support the existing carriageway whilst the new carriageway is constructed.
Seeding and coir matting has commenced in the swales completing the soft landscaping in areas of the site.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
In partnership with the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE) Scotland, Balfour Beatty are delivering a mentoring programme for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) students who are studying the following disciplines:
• Civil Engineering
• Sustainability
• Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
The programme has been developed by Balfour Beatty as part of our Value Everyone action plan in Scotland, which aims to create more diversity and inclusion, and to bring expertise into our business from multiple backgrounds. The programme will also support our refreshed Sustainability Strategy targets to increase minority ethnic and black representation by 60% in the UK by 2030.
To kickstart the mentoring programme we invited the students to take part in an outdoor activity residential experience which created the opportunity for students to meet each other, the wider Balfour Beatty team, take part in group challenges and team building activities and begin to shape their individual goals and aspirations for their mentorship.
Local Employment
Balfour Beatty’s Materials Testing Manger worked in partnership with the local Job Centre Plus partners to identify potential candidate for a local Material’s Testing Technician role. After two group interview sessions, seven candidates were offered a work trial with one candidate being successfully offered a role.
Educational Engagement – The Big Design Challenge
A suite of bespoke educational resources has been developed for local High Schools in Falkirk as part of the pilot programme – The Balfour Beatty Big Design Challenge. The team are in discussions with the school to identify participants and a programme launch date for this term.
