Work on two Plymouth transport schemes will begin again this week.
Activity on the Eastern Corridor Junction Improvements Scheme and the Southway Drive Walking and Cycling Improvements scheme were both halted and made safe by SWH Ltd last month after the contractor decided to suspend works in the interests of the safety of the workforce, their families and the local community.
Now, following a review of working practices and updates to the guidance issued by the Government, Public Health England and the Highways Sector Council for construction and safe working, work is set to begin again.
Teams will be working on Plymouth Road from Monday 11 May and in Southway from Wednesday 13 May.
Residents and businesses in the area of both schemes have been written to directly.
The safety of the public and construction workers is the top priority and measures to minimise infection risk include:
- All work activities assessed to reduce potential risk of infection and adherence to Government guidelines regarding construction and COVID 19.
- A 2m buffer zone around the working areas to ensure that a minimum distance of 2m between our workers and the public is maintained wherever possible
- Additional welfare facilities provided enabling greater separation for workers
- One person per vehicle wherever possible
- Staggered arrival and departure times and daily safety briefings to all staff
- Supervisors trained with a focus on the Covid-19 safe working practices for construction
- Increased monitoring to ensure that the new safe working practices are being followed
Whilst traffic flows are lighter traffic management will be put out once and left until the works have been completed instead of being put out and taken off daily thereby limiting close contact between workers.
Work on Plymouth Road will recommence first at Marsh Mills before moving onto Larkham Lane. The widening works at Cot Hill are expected to start in June.
The new working practices that are being used will result in some of the works taking longer than previously anticipated. Both schemes are now expected to conclude this winter.