Appointed as main contractor by The Highways Agency, Laing O’Rourke began operations on the stretch of road linking Junction 24 of the M1 with the A52 at Nottingham, back in January 2013 with an upgrade to dual carriageway being required to relieve congestion and reduce the risk of accidents.
ACO was invited to tender for the scheme in 2012 along with two rival manufacturers, and offered its expert design assistance to Laing O’Rourke and engineers White Young Green, to help refine the design and to provide suggestions for value engineering.
Launched in the late nineties, KerbDrain offers civil engineers ultra-robust and reliable performance, as well as easy installation thanks to the product’s one-piece construction. The availability of a full range of accessories enables the KerbDrain system to provide a broad range of problem solving solutions to meet all project requirements whether rural or urban. Its hydraulic characteristics ensure
it offers the optimum performance in clearing storm-water from the carriageway during our increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. Furthermore, the system is fully compliant with the Specification for Highway Works and BS EN 1433:2002 up to Load Class D 400. It is CE Marked and Kitemarked for third party quality assurance.
An order was subsequently placed with the heavy-side builders’ merchant Burdens. Following this ACO provided continuing project management support relating to scheduling of deliveries, and any design modifications required during the evolution of the project.
Ben McCluskey, the Senior Buyer on the project for Laing O’Rourke comments: "On this project, ACO’s service levels in terms of design and delivery schedule have been second to none. This combined with their efforts to meet our target costs by working closely with the engineers, ourselves and the merchant branch, is also helping to ensure that the project runs smoothly, on time and in budget. This collaborative approach has been fundamental on this project."
Since winning the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation in 2001, KerbDrain has become the UK’s most widely specified combined kerb drainage system, offering excellent flow characteristics and a selection of special or problem solving components. For example, drop kerbs were created to comply with DETR’s Guidance on the use of Tactile Paving Surfaces, which states that in cases where the kerb is dropped at pedestrian crossing points, there should be no vertical upstand between the road surface and the kerb; a 6mm tolerance can be made but only on a bullnose kerb. Even a minimal vertical upstand can be a hazard to wheelchair users. Other problem solving components include internal angles, quadrants and bus stop kerbs to suit local authority specifications.
The final, urban stretch of the A453 scheme is expected to complete this year with full completion of the scheme shortly after.
For more information on ACO Water management, visit www.aco.co.uk.
