PROJECT TITLE:  Jubilee Way & Bus stops & Highway Improvements

Date Completed:   Wed, 01 April, 2009
Value:   £ 0.25 million
Client/Company:   Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames

Jubilee way forms part of a busy industrial estate with many workers travelling to and from the site. The bus route was considered the most appropriate transport system to develop. Therefore R J Dance were the main contractor with a remit which consisted of: construction of a refuge island, speed table, footway widening, carriageway widening, installation of a bus stand, installation of traffic calming features such as a gateway, laying of ducting, reinstallation of signs and road-marking, laying of red anti-skid surfacing.

Construction of the bus stop and speed table.

Key stakeholders including engineers, residents' associations, schools, emergency services, CDM coordinators, Design Services (RBK), Transport for London (TfL), Local businesses and working groups were consulted in the weeks prior to the works. These groups identified a series of issues which would need to be mitigated before commencement of the works such as health & safety of school children and residents, how best to manage the traffic during the works, how best to locate services and any contingent plans for hospitals etc, what were the lines of communication open to the stakeholders, what design was most practical and what materials were best suited to this location. The feedback received from stakeholders was included in the final designs and plans which were approved by the local authority shortly before works commenced.

The finished speed table with eastboound bus stop.

Before works commenced, our health & safety manager, the CDM coordinator, the project manager, and the engineer met onsite to discuss the programme of works. Once the programme was agreed each stakeholder signed off the project with a view to meeting regularly throughout the works. The works commenced on schedule. Where possible, we used our own resources and limited the use of subcontractors. The total project took 6 weeks to complete. If variation orders were issued these were fed back to the programme director and quantity surveyor for a possible reallocation of resources. With the help of our CDM coordinator, we located the services of statutory undertakers. Where necessary, we made provision for their adjustment / repair or simply noted them for future reference. As the project progressed, changes to the plans were noted and recorded in the final plans held with the local authority.

Upon completion in mid-march, the works were verified by the local authority. Benefits to the community include: the provision of a new off-street bus-stop with safer access and egress; a safer crossing point; and traffic calming measures to slow traffic. Before we left site, we met with the various stakeholders associated with the project to resolve any issues and ask for signoff. Feedback to our projects is always welcome - that is one of the ways that helps to improve our service. The feedback so far has been positive. The improvements have helped traffic flow in the area more efficiently whilst at the same time has reduced speeding. The local authority will closely monitor progress over the coming months to ensure that the improvements continue to offer the benefits required.