December 2023

Construction Progress

The project has received some degree of more settled weather over the period which has allowed for some excellent progress at the Little Denny Culvert structure and embankment earthworks.

Good progress was made in both the North and South sections. The South sections earthworks for the DEAR mainline have now been concluded and the road capped with capping material. Type 1 installation in the South began on Tuesday 28th November.

North Section

• Investigation into existing drainage.
• A series of trial excavations have been undertaken across Old Broad Street to determine size and depths of existing services for a potential revised outfall pipe.
• 2 way lights were established on the A883 on Thursday 26th October to facilitate existing SUDs basin outfall pipework.
• Existing attenuation tank believed to be linked to the DHS development was removed and disposed of the excavation was backfilled with 1200t of site material
• 90% of twin roadside filter drainage runs completed to date including installation of eight catchpits.
• Type 1 graded ready for Surfacing Contractor.
• Surfacing works planned to commence Monday 4th December in North and Central sections.

Central Section

• Little Denny headwall construction commenced on Monday 30th October, final headwall pour completed 15th November.
• Scour protection works commenced on Monday 20th November and due for completion on 1st December
• Permanent diversion of Little Denny flow into the new culvert took place on Tuesday 28th November.
• Inlet headwall handrails and trash screen installed 28th November.
• 200mm of natural sands and gravels installed to base of culvert on Friday 24th November.
• Roadside drainage 80% completed in central section to date.

South Section

• Bulk earthworks completed in period.
• Drainage operations commenced Monday 23rd October- >80% of section drainage completed by 28th November.
• First pass of Type 1 installed

Programme for December 

North Section

• Surfacing to binder level.
• Completion of mainline drainage activities.
• Potential to commence additional works in relation to revised outfall designs

Central Section

• Surfacing to binder level
• Install capping layer to be carried out on completion of planned surfacing works.
• Install remaining roadside drainage

South Section

• Commence kerbing installation.
• Complete roadside drainage works CH 500-650.

Community Benefits

Recruitment

• RJ McLeod has live job adverts with Falkirk Council for Civil Engineering Graduates and General Operatives.
• Modern Apprentices currently employed by the Council – 3 of the 4 were subsequently offered permanent jobs with RJ McLeod.

Training

• School visits kicked off with a whole school assembly at Denny Primary booked on 4th October. Followed by a civil engineering careers event with Primary 6, also Denny Primary.
• Plans for delivery of the RJ McLeod Civils Master Class – awaiting a date from the school.
• Date to be agreed for the STEM Careers Inspiration for Girls

Supply Chain Development

• The site is working with local SMEs, Social Enterprises, Supported/Third Sector Businesses who got in touch from our “Meet the Contractor” at Denny Eastern Approach Road.
• DEAR is already supporting two social enterprises by purchasing site signage from Scotland’s Bravest and handwash/sanitiser from MyGo.

Community

• A payment of £1,000 has been made to Strathcarron Hospice on top of the £800+ raised by a RJ McLeod employee’s 10K run.
• RJ McLeod’s Sustainability Coordinator, is launching an environmental awareness poster competition.  Possible topic – littering.