October 2023

Construction Update

General

The wet weather through September has caused some challenges to earthworks operations particularly in the Southern Section (Avant Homes- Cuthelton Farm). Works have been intermittent due to the weather sensitive nature of materials won from this section; however bulk earthworks are now nearing completion. Good progress has been made in both the North Section (DHS) with the installation of approx. 62% of the combined roadside filter drainage systems and within the central section has made good progress in the period with the completion of ground improvement works adjacent to Little Denny burn and embankment construction complete to top of capping level from DHS tie in CH1160 to CH 720 Little Denny Burn.

Accommodation Works/ Fencing/ PROW Diversions

Remaining accommodation works include installation of four new water troughs and associated pipework connections to water main. We anticipate these works will commence following completion of Scottish Power diversion works.

Public Utilities

BT Openreach – BT attended site to complete the OHL diversion on Monday 14th August 2023- BT diversion works now complete.

Scottish Power:

• RJ McLeod completed all necessary SPEN duct installation works by Tuesday 19th September
• SPEN cable pulling contractor attended site 18th September- 20 September inclusive to pull in all 11Kv and 33Kv cables with RJM providing civils support for cable off load.
• SPEN OHL Contractor mobilised to site on Monday 25th September to commence OHL diversion works- 11Kv line outage complete on Wednesday 27th September- 2 No 33kv diversions are on programme to be complete by the end of this week.

North Section CH 1150- 860

Ongoing investigation works linked to CE-1. To date the following operations have been completed

• 5 Nr CCTV visits to investigate existing drainage.
• Excavation works in verge of DHS roundabout to locate buried chamber
• Slit trenching to existing attenuation feature.
• Discovery and protection of existing drainage networks.
• 62% of twin roadside filter drainage runs completed to date including installation of 7 Nr catchpits.

Installation of drainage run N02/007-N02/005

Central Section CH 650-850

• Site establishment completed.
• Site clearance works completed.
• Soil strip substantially completed.
• DEAR road embankment completed to top of capping level to chainage 720.
• Ground improvement works CH 720- 760 (Note Contractor dug to maximum depth of OGL -4.0m in this section)
• Settlement monitoring rods complete
• 150mm ST4 Blinding placed Tuesday 3rd October for new Little Denny Burn Box Culvert
• Box Culvert units being delivered to site and installed to position Wednesday-Friday this week. (Note – 230t Crane off load only on Wednesday due to blinding not reaching required strength gain)

• Pre cast head wall designs verified by Tony Gee and due for delivery/installation WB 23rd October
• Water proofing/sand carpet to be installed thereafter and scour protection detail completed following headwall install. Aim is to have burn diverted by 1st week in November.
• Following culvert install and diversion earthworks from CH 720-600 will be completed. Aim is to have earthworks complete to DEAR mainline by end November 2023

• Additional Ground Improvement works full length of Little Denny Culvert

South Section- CH120-650

• Pre earthworks drainage completed and existing ditch crossing DEAR at CH 300 diverted to new route.
• Bulk earthworks nearing completed, bulk excavation to formation to be completed by end of next week.
• Drainage operations commenced Wednesday 4th October
• Road capped from CH 120-250.

South Section Earthworks cut ongoing CH 300

Works programmed for October 23

North Section (Denny High School)

• Completion of drainage installation- Resolution to issues at DHS tie in need to be resolved
• Prep works for kerb logs and install of CKD units

Central Section (Cuthelton Farm Area)

• Completion of Box Culvert works and diversion of Little Denny Burn

South Section (Avant Homes- Cuthelton Farm)

• • Completion of earthworks
• Capping between CH 600-120
• Drainage Installations

Community Benefits

Recruitment

• RJ McLeod has live job adverts with Falkirk Council for Civil Engineering Graduates and General Operatives.
•  RJ McLeod’s Corporate Social Responsibility Manager met with Falkirk Council’s Employment & Training team. Interviews were carried out on site for four Modern Apprentices currently employed by the Council. 3 of the 4 were subsequently offered permanent jobs with RJ McLeod. 1 offer was turned down.

Training – Educational Outreach

• The contractor has contacted all the local primaries and offered each one a visit from the site staff to discuss the DEAR works, civil engineering careers and a site safety briefing.
• School visit to Denny Primary booked in for Wednesday 4th October.
• Meetings also with met with Developing the Young Workforce Coordinator at Denny High School. Various engagement is being discussed starting with delivery of the RJ McLeod Civils Master Class.
• STEM Careers Inspiration for Girls – An ex-pupil of Denny High and long standing female RJ McLeod employee will be giving an inspirational talk to female students at Denny High around careers in Civil Engineering.

Supply Chain Development

• The DEAR site headlined RJ McLeod’s live Supply Chain Webinar on Friday 15th September. Supported by the Scottish Government’s Supplier Development Programme – we called upon all local SMEs, Social Enterprises, Supported/Third Sector Businesses to come along and “Meet the Contractor” at Denny Eastern Approach Road. Attended by RJ McLeod staff who explained the tendering processes.

• DEAR is already supporting two social enterprises by purchasing site signage from Scotland’s Bravest and handwash/sanitiser from MyGo.

Community

• A Sub Agent on the project ran 10K for Strathcarron Hospice at the Weekend raising £845 with donations from staff amounting to £700. The Company has more than matched that by supporting the Hospice to the tune of a further £1000 – total raised £1,845 

• RJ McLeod’s Sustainability Coordinator, will launch an environmental awareness poster competition, starting with the Denny primary this week.