Birse Civils: Fryston and Wheldale Collieries - the value of early contractor involvement

Fryston and Wheldale Collieries - the value of early contractor involvement

These examples of our recent experience provide you with a useful insight into how we deliver our service, which is what sets us apart.

To view specific case studies, please select from the links below.

The former Fryston and Wheldale colliery site closed in the 1980's, and was adopted into English Partnerships National Coalfield Programme in 2003.

The majority of the 98 ha site is designated a “Special Policy Area” with some areas designated as “Green Corridor” and “Green Belt” and is being restored to afford public use and access. In 2006, Birse Civils were engaged to work within a Customer/Contractor/Designer/Supply Chain partnership to remediate the site and create a 5 ha residential development platform for 150 homes. The Birse Civils project is delivered in several Phases;

Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) phase involved:

The development of the English Partnership/Wakefield MDC/Yorkshire Forward Masterplan and hybrid Planning Application over a 3 month period, and submission on time.
A detailed mineral planning application for the reclamation and remediation of the site
An outline planning application for the development of 150 houses.
A Landscape Management Plan of how the landscaping will be maintained in perpetuity.
Production of Construction drawings, specifications and agreement of a fixed lump sum price that was Value Engineered in line with the Customer’s budget.

Enabling Works phase involved;

Processing site won materials to form site accesses, permanent footpaths and temporary paddocks.
Site clearance to minimise seasonal constraints.
Dealing with Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed.

Construction phase involved;

Creating a 5 ha residential development platform, requiring excavation of 170,000 m³ of colliery spoil to virgin ground and re-compacting.
The use of Total Integrated Earthworks Solution (TIES), allowing dynamic control over major earthworks operations. The approach utilised portable X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and portable Ultra Violet Fluorescence (UVF) technologies to rapidly quantify contaminant concentrations in situ ahead of excavation to enable selective excavation of material before major cut to fill operations.
The construction of footpaths, bridleways, planting of 12,000 trees, restoration of a marina, amelioration of 26 ha of site using waste products and installation of extensive public amenities.
Throughout both the ECI phase and the construction phase Birse has been pro-active in engaging with the local community via evening meetings, site discussions and through the Cultural Heritage Trust and a Ranger employed by Yorkshire Forward to liaise with residents of Fryston village.

Good Ideas;

Work with Customer to maximise outputs within budget.
Understand Customers needs and VE the scheme to come within budget.
Use of TIES to maximise summer window for earthworks.
Raise “clean” material targets with Contaminated Land Officer to reduce costs.
Cut to fill balance on site and within zones on site to provide scheme savings.
Use of planings from access road within scheme.
Incorporation of key subcontractors into Project Partnership.

Sustainable Actions;

Re-use of topsoil strip. Process material on site by screening and crushing.
Treatment of invasive weeds on site
“Won” red shale on site for use as 6F2.
Re-cycling office waste, including paper, cardboard and print cartridges
Provenance of materials, all wood is FSC (forestry stewardship council)
Import of re-cycled materials i.e. TCSS (Treated Conditioned Sewage Sludge), paper crumble and BOS (basic oxygen slag)

CEEQUAL
The scheme is being nominated for a CEEQUAL Excellent Whole Project Award covering the combined environmental performance of the Customer, Designer and Contractor.

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