Cockermouth Resurfacing & Civils Works

The brief

With DSD Construction acting as Primary Contractor to Cumberland Council, this scheme included three phases of resurfacing and civils works in Cockermouth – a busy market town considered ‘the gateway to the western Lake District’.

Our scope of work across all three phases included:

• Planing to depths of 150mm during the first phase and 150mm on the second and third phases.

• Relaying the carriageway using AC20 Hardstone Binder, Limestone Binder and Hot Rolled Asphalt surface course.

• Relaying junctions with Stone Mastic Asphalt.

• Renewing kerbing and iron works throughout all phases.

• Drainage repairs within existing drainage systems.

• Traffic Management operations by subcontractor CRM Carlisle Ltd.

• Lining works including centre lines, yellow lines, crossings and roundabouts completed by subcontractor Tim Doody & Co Ltd.

Key quantities:

• Ironwork replaced: 116 items
• AC20 Limestone Binder: 313 t
• AC20 Hardstone Binder: 1,031 t

Challenges & successes

The works were progressed in three phases through various streets in Cockermouth on day and night shifts, with road closures, traffic management and stop & go measures utilised at different stages to minimise road user disruption.

Due to the works being carried out in a residential area, pre-planning was required to ensure public awareness and safety. Works were carried out during day shifts to avoid noise disruption to residents at night, pedestrian walkways were deployed to ensure the safety of the public, and diversions were made as convenient as possible with ‘businesses open as usual’ signs deployed to inform the general public.

Some phases were undertaken within school zones, meaning we had to adjust our schedule and activities during school opening and closing hours to allow school students and traffic to enter and leave efficiently and safely.

Outputs & Benefits

Positive feedback: We received a lot of positive feedback regarding this scheme from members of the public and our client.

Maintained access: Each phase was completed under a full road closure, allowing access to residents, deliveries and carers when it was safe to do so. Emergency services were given access at all times throughout all three phases of work.