VolkerWessels UK Quadruple Win at the Considerate Constructors Scheme Awards 2011

2011 Considerate Constructors Scheme National Site Awards have been presented to the highest scoring 7½% of sites, selected from over 8,500 eligible sites which completed in 2010. The performance of all registered sites is reviewed annually and the top performing sites are presented with either Gold, Silver or Bronze Awards.

VolkerHighways received a Gold Award for the London Borough of Hackney Term Maintenance Contract. This £15 million pound project covered on-going highways maintenance via a central office and two depots. Interaction with neighbouring communities was a regular feature of site activities, underpinned by surveys to measure satisfaction levels. In addition to providing a hotline for any problems, there was a swift reaction service to address any issues and street parties were held to foster good relations. Close attention was also paid to the needs of commercial neighbours, with work schedules frequently adjusted to facilitate access or minimise noise disturbance.

The site team also assisted with Foundation training Centres in prisons by supporting courses and they also organised the re-use of granite kerbstones and other materials across the whole borough. Both onsite and public safety scored very highly. The multi-location nature of this contract presented particular difficulties in maintaining cleanliness and considerate standards but judges commented that these challenges were met with great enthusiasm.

VolkerFitzpatrick received a Silver Award for the Southwark Integrated Waste Management Facility site. VolkerFitzpatrick was particularly commended for high standards reached in the categories of; accountability consideration, cleanliness, responsibility, respectfulness and safety, and for exceptional achievements in the category of environment and neighbour. Communication with those affected by the site was conducted through a regular newsletter and site staff attendance to monthly resident liaison meetings. All site correspondence was available in different languages with a brail option offered, efforts were also underpinned by surveys to measure satisfaction levels and site staff were available to provide a telephone response to any queries.

An environmental policy was actively integrated into the site logistics by; utilising local labour and suppliers, integrating a site waste management plan and sourcing natural resources such as rainwater, solar energy and sustainable timber. Regular assessments and inspections of the site were carried out in order to; improve environmental performance, measure the sites carbon footprint, monitor the sites embodied energy of the materials used during the construction process and keep the site clean, tidy and safe. Judges commended the sites high level of presentation and cleanliness and the efforts being made to engage with the local community and keep all those affected by the project informed of the sites activities.

VolkerFitzpatrick was also awarded a Bronze Award for the Veolia Mixed Recycle Facility site. VolkerFitzpatrick was commended for applying extensive detail into the Waste Management Plan, not only monitoring and producing figures and carrying out site works as legislation dictates, but for also applying the findings from the figures and data produced to the benefit of construction methods employed on site, thus bringing actual waste off-site figures to a minimum. An in depth Traffic Management Strategy which involved neighbouring properties, deliveries, plant and all the VolkerFitzpatrick system site standards was also adopted. This was supplemented with structured project co-ordination meetings, hazard updates, planned works and detailed sign boards being updated daily so that any operatives and visitors were aware of any hazards.

Judges were delighted by the simple approach to achieving high standards. Items such as a linked doorbell from the disabled parking bay to reception, the introduction of bat boxes for the relocation of nesting bats on the existing site and the site information transfer through key subcontract personnel was considered exceptional.

VolkerStevin was awarded a Bronze Award for the Deptford Creek Frontages site. VolkerStevin was particularly commended for high standards reached in the categories of; accountability, consideration, cleanliness, environment, respectfulness, responsibility and safety, and for exceptional achievements in the category of neighbour. The award was of particular reflection to VolkerStevin's careful liaison and agreements with local businesses at the wharf frontages and for the efforts, to help keep local businesses open with minimum disturbance during the course of the works. For a short period in the scheme VolkerStevin had heavy piling equipment 100mm off the wall of a business unit and so the site team engaged with the businesses to assist with their deliveries. The site team also engaged with local school children and involved them in decorating the brick tiles that were to be mounted on the new frontage walls.

Adrian Shah-Cundy, head of HSEQS at VolkerWessels UK said, "We are delighted to have received these awards, which show us as being in the top group of contractors in the UK in terms of our continued commitment to the environment and communities in which we work.

"VolkerHighways was the only Term Maintenance Contractor to achieve a Gold Award this year. This is a fantastic achievement for this business, which operates Term Maintenance Contracts across nine London Boroughs, placing them at the top of the sector for this respected national scheme."