Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has attended the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Midlands Awards and scooped two commendations. The Roade Bypass – which is part of the SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton (SLPN) scheme – was recognised for the Project of the Year Award (over £3m) and Suranne Murray was commended in the Most Promising Apprentice of the Year category.
Project of the Year Award – Roade Bypass
Roade Bypass is one element of the SLPN scheme and comprises a 2.5km single carriageway, a 48-metre single span road bridge that traverses the West Coast Main Line, and three 60-metre diameter roundabouts to tie into the A508 and Blisworth Road. A steel arch underpass was also constructed, which facilitates an existing bridleway. The team collaborated with 18 stakeholders including National Highways, the Smart Motorways Project, Network Rail, West Roade residents and other main contractors.
The bridge is in a Victorian rail cutting and boarded by a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), so preservation impacted the design and construction. The abutments are set back so the six bridge beams, totalling 264 tonnes, span 48-metres and the delicate installation programme utilised four inclinometers to measure real-time movement of the railway cutting.
A five-layer carriageway design to Roade Bypass not only provided up to 15% carbon reduction for the Net Zero in Construction project, but also cost benefits and reduced road noise. The drainage system which was manufactured from recycled milk bottles provided a 62% carbon saving, 24% minimum recycled content in the bridge beam steel and 12 tonnes of carbon was saved each week by Winvic’s use of battery back-up on site accommodation. Digital designs modelled the optimal carriageway thickness and vertical alignment of the highway, which required up to 4 metres cut, and upfill, in some areas. Semi-automated construction plant utilising GPS and the Building Information Modelling (BIM) plans guaranteed accurate and faster delivery, and negated idling times.
On the social side of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) at SLPN, Winvic’s commitment to delivering long-lasting benefits to local communities, SEGRO’s Community Investment Plan and the Development Consent Order requirement of an Employment Scheme drove significant activity. Winvic provided 42 Apprentice, Year-In-Industry, and work experience onsite placements, employed 793 local people, spent £50 million with local subcontractors and donated time and materials to 11 community projects. 13 school engagement activities and employer talks were delivered, eight careers’ fairs attended and seven STEM After School Club sessions organised with students at Northampton Academy.
The scheme achieved two 45/45 Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) scores and won a CCS Community Enrichment Leading Lights Award and a CCS National Site Award last year.
Winvic’s Contracts Director, Scott Martin, said: “Roade Bypass was a complex undertaking, especially due to the construction of the bridge over the West Coast Mainline, ground level differentials and ensuring we reduced carbon wherever possible to meet Net Zero requirements. Our open approach with stakeholders fostered a collaborative environment whereby any obstacles to successful project delivery were quickly addressed. Client satisfaction for the Roade Bypass project was exceptionally high, with the bypass opening early and relieving traffic congestion in the village of Roade. The recognition afforded by the CECA Midlands Award is fantastic and I hope every member of the team is very proud of their contribution to making Roade Bypass a stand-out project.”
Most Promising Apprentice of the Year – Suranne Murray
Suranne started her journey with Winvic on a college site visit with aspirations of a career in Health and Safety and later returned for work experience at Mercia Park . During this she spent time with the Assistant Site Manager Jehan Gomes, and realised this role was more suited to her ambition of working out on site each day. Feedback about Suranne’s teamwork, curious nature and dedication had been excellent so Winvic agreed to support her through a Level 4 Site Supervision Apprenticeship; a field of study that was a first for the contractor.
Suranne was attracted to the role which would enable her to support people with challenges that needed to be addressed immediately. Not only has she learned daily tasks, routines, processes and systems from her site managers – working three different projects to date – but she has also increased her confidence and proactively built relationships, trust and respect with subcontractor ‘Black Hat’ team leaders.
Suranne’s passion has also shone through when speaking to students at Apprenticeship Careers Fairs, College Open Evenings and those on Winvic’s six-day Enrichment Programme. One young person requested additional time on site with Suranne outside of the scheduled placement days to learn more about her impactful role.
Kayleigh Merritt, Winvic’s Talent Development Manager, said: “Suranne is excellent at working with different personalities, finding ways to accommodate diverse needs and she is now often the first person that subcontractors approach with issues. When her site manager recently went on leave, Suranne was given increased autonomy and responsibilities. Due to her strong relationships and knowledge, Suranne excelled and embraced the opportunity, and it has given her another visible confidence boost. Over 21 months Suranne has developed from a timid 18-year-old to become a knowledgeable, respected and invaluable team member, who believes in herself as much as others do. Suranne’s Apprenticeship has been transformative, so she absolutely deserves to take the commendation for Most Promising Apprentice of the Year – congratulations from the whole team.”
Suranne Murray, Trainee Site Manager, added: “I was shocked when Winvic wanted to enter me for an award, and now I can’t believe I have been commended as the Most Promising Apprentice of the Year. I love going to work every day, learning new things and being part of a team. I’d like to say thank you to all the people who have helped me gain so much knowledge and new skills, and soon I will also have my Level 4 qualification. Without their support I wouldn’t have built my confidence and won this award.”
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