Capita Symonds - Our work

Our work

M25 Jct 25 Widening and Holmesdale Tunnel Refurbishment John, 52

Location: Enfield, London

Client: Highways Agency / Costain

Project timescale: August 2005 to November 2007

Project Value: £78m

The Project:

The scheme is a Highways Agency project to reduce congestion and refurbish the motorway tunnel to address dilapidation and mitigate escalating maintenance costs and operational risks.

The scheme involves adding an additional eastbound lane through Junction 25 and an additional lane in each direction through the tunnel. Tunnel works include complete replacement of the mechanical, electrical, operational and communication systems.

The works are being carried out as a Highways Agency Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) project with an overall scheme budget £78m and construction costs estimated at £57m.

The site works 24 hours a day, seven days a week to minimise disruption to the 120,000 vehicles a day which pass through the site.

What is Capita Symonds role on the project?

Capita Symonds iss the designer for the project, working for Costain Civil Engineering, the contractor appointed by the Highways Agency. The design epitomises the broad spectrum of skills available in Capita Symonds to contribute to projects like this.

Our role covers civil and structural engineering, architecture, environmental design (landscaping, ecology, noise, vibration, visual impact, air quality, pollution and water quality), tunnel mechanical and electrical engineering, and motorway communications systems design.

During the early stages, extensive preliminary design and value engineering were completed to provide a target construction cost and meet the Highways Agency's available budget. At detailed design stage, we have continued to work closely with Costain and their suppliers against a challenging programme to provide designs which can be constructed quickly and easily.

What is YOUR role on the project?

I was Project Manager for the design and involved from the start of the tender period in February 2005, through the preliminary design and ultimately for detailed design delivery.

It was essential to forge a good working relationship with the contractor and the rest of the project team to deliver this complex, multi-faceted scheme. I spent significant periods working at the project office at Enfield to ensure good communication between our design team in East Grinstead and the rest of the integrated team.

The team culture developed around open and honest exchanges to drive the project forward. I created an environment where the design team could focus on delivery and integration of the design package, to minimise the risk of problems at the interfaces between disciplines. I was supported by a strong technical team who brought a real depth of experience in their respective fields. Health & Safety was given the appropriate high profile and processes were developed with Costain to ensure good communication of the risks which could not be eliminated or mitigated.

I am currently now handing over the Project Manager role to one of the team leaders members whom I have been mentoring as I take over the Project Director role.

Has the project won any awards / accolades?

The effort invested in Health & Safety has paid dividends, with now nearly 1.5 million man hours worked without a reportable accident.

The team has worked very hard on site to minimise delays to the traveling public while maintaining a safe working environment. Journey times are continuously analysed and the traffic management layout and location of recovery vehicles have been amended to improve the situation. The removal of a signal gantry in late 2006 opened an extra lane to westbound traffic and immediately halved delay times.

The UK came top this year in the AA's annual inspection of roadworks throughout the UK and Europe. Our scheme received a rating of 'Very Good' (daytime) and 'Good' (nighttime).

The project is also registered under the Considerate Constructors Scheme which looks at working practices, site compound and interaction within the local community. The site was inspected in September 2006 and received an excellent report: "A very difficult contract with both busy motorway factors and a tunnel environment. The whole package is very good and is designed to ensure every factor is anticipated and, importantly, carried out."