Stockingfield foot & cycle bridge improvements

We safely completed surfacing of the new cycle / footpaths on a narrow construction site adjacent to the canal water’s edge.

The project scope

The scheme involved the construction of a new footbridge and combined cycle / footpath to connect the Forth and Clyde canals in Glasgow. This important £13.7m regeneration project provides an important new linkage between the communities of Ruchill, Gilschochill and Maryhill improving access between these communities and opening routes to leisure and employment opportunities in the west end and city centre.

We were subcontracted to Balfour Beatty to reconstruct the old canal tow paths into combined cycle and footpaths and our scope of work included:

• Overlay surfacing of sections of the existing tow path.
• Removal of old granite setts from sections of the existing pathways.
• Installation of 50m of pin kerbing.
• Construction of subbase, base, and surface courses of the new cycle/footway.
• Incorporation of MacRebur M8 recycled plastic into the base course to provide a low carbon alternative to bitumen.
• Installation of buff coloured ‘Ulticolour’ asphalt along sections of the cycle/footway.

Key quantities:

• 32mm base course: 120 t
• 20mm binder: 400 t
• Buff Ulticolour surface course: 300 t

Challenges and Successes

The project was located alongside the Forth and Clyde canals with less than 1m between our work areas and the canal edge. To ensure the safety of our workforce we erected barrier fencing, erected U poles to prevent plant from getting too near the canal edge and instructed our workers to always wear life jackets when on site. We also installed lifebuoys at regular intervals along the construction site.

The project was also located along remote footpaths with limited access for equipment and material deliveries. Due to the limited access and narrow construction site, we transported all surfacing materials from our delivery location to the construction work areas using dumpers.

Challenges & successes

The project was located alongside the Forth and Clyde canals with less than 1m between our work areas and the canal edge. To ensure the safety of our workforce we erected barrier fencing, erected U poles to prevent plant from getting too near the canal edge and instructed our workers to always wear life jackets when on site. We also installed lifebuoys at regular intervals along the construction site.

The project was also located along remote footpaths with limited access for equipment and material deliveries. Due to the limited access and narrow construction site, we transported all surfacing materials from our delivery location to the construction work areas using dumpers.