We work hard to be considerate neighbours whilst construction is taking place. The information below outlines key information on what you can expect from site and how we work to minimise our impact on our neighbours.
Site Working Hours
Mon-Fri: 8am to 6pm
Sat: 8am to 1pm
Sundays & Public Holidays: no working
It should be noted that whilst no construction or unloading will happen outside of these hours people may be present earlier to enable them to start work promptly. In this instance vehicles will be switched off and not left idling and staff/visitors can make use of the staff facilities at the site compound.
Wheel Washing, Covered Deliveries & Road Sweeping
As part of our commitment to maintaining a clean environment leading to our site and for our neighbours we:
- ensure all vehicles delivering or removing loose materials must be covered when travelling off site.
- have wheel washing facilities at the entrance/exit of the site to help limit any dust or dirt spreading from vehicles leaving the site onto Shipley Road.
These actions and through regular monitoring will help reduce the possibility of mud/dust/dirt entering the local road network. Regular inspections of the local highway will also be made and a road sweeper deployed should the need arise.
Dust Mitigation
Careful consideration has been given to the site set up to ensure where possible that activities that create dust are located as far away from neighbours as possible. Where it is necessary, additional screens/debris netting will be erected around dusty activities (this is in addition to the hoarding around the site boundary). Furthermore, dust will be minimised during cutting operations by ensuring machinery is fitted with on-tool water suppression.
During drier periods where dust creation may be more of an issue, we use a water bowser to dampen down site roads to reduce dust generation from vehicle and plant movements.
Noise Management
The nature of construction activities does unfortunately mean they can be noisy. We are committed to ensuring our contractors adhere to Environmental Health requirements and current regulations on this as well ensuring all works are only undertaken during the permitted working hours.
In addition, we ask that:
- all compressors, percussion tools and vehicles are fitted with effective silencers of a type recommended by the manufacturers of the equipment.
- employees do not use radios or other audio equipment in ways or at times that may cause a nuisance.
- every care be taken to avoid unnecessary noise when carrying out manual operations and when operating plant and equipment.
- all plant will be switched off when not in use, rather than left idling.
Staff & Contractor Parking
We have a dedicated on site parking area for staff, contractors and deliveries. Anyone who comes to site are informed that they must park on site and not on neighbouring roads. Signage on site reminds people of this obligation and the gate men actively seek to move on any site visitors who look to park outside. Sufficient space is provided on site for deliveries to park up and reasonable endeavours will be made to ensure vehicles are not required to wait on local roads.
In addition, we actively encourage staff to car share or use public transport wherever possible.
Access
For the first 6 months of the build, construction access will be via the existing access off Shipley Road to the property known as “Woodfords”.
This is temporary whilst the main access (further along Shipley Road towards the centre of Southwater) is being constructed.
During this initial 6-month period this access to the site will be for plant/materials for the construction of roads and sewers, along with the installation of the site compound.
Access will be via controlled gates.
Deliveries
We ask that no deliveries of materials to site take place outside of 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am – 1pm on a Saturday. No deliveries are permitted on Sundays or bank holidays, unless operationally necessary.
Construction Traffic Routing
In order to access the site, vehicles will have to access Shipley Road via Mill Straight or the A272 West Chiltington Lane to the north and south respectively. Any heavy goods vehicles (max gross weight of 7.5 tonnes or higher) will be routed to avoid local residential roads.
The map below shows the construction traffic routing plan.
Traffic Routing Plan