New Bailey Gateway

Project overview

New Bailey Street is a section of the A34 which is a strategic, transport interchange route used by a large number of buses, located in the centre of Salford. The primary objective of the scheme was to improve the adjacent highway to provide enhanced infrastructure supporting the New Bailey Development. Other factors driving the project were providing improved facilities for buses and getting infrastructure in place for the anticipated growth in rail passengers from the adjacent Salford Central Station.

The scope of works included carriageway reconstruction, resurfacing, footway widening, new kerbing, signage and street furniture along with the installation of new traffic light signals at the junction of Chapel Street. The work was completed with tree planting with an underground cellular attenuation system.

 

Working with stakeholders

The work area was in close proximity to residential, commercial and retail properties, along with the ongoing New Bailey Development being delivered by an adjacent contractor. This required careful coordination with all parties to ensure minimal disruption was caused.

Liaison with Adjacent Properties - The proximity of the works to the shops which continued to be fully operational required effective lines of communication to be maintained throughout. We provided the services of a full-time Liaison Officer who maintained contact throughout the programme ensuring satisfaction was maintained. Weekly ‘surgeries’ were held with tradespeople to give them the opportunity to voice any concerns they had with the works, such as how their deliveries would be affected.

Liaison with the Adjacent Contractor - Our approach to managing the close interface with the New Bailey Development Contractor included development of a Communication Plan and establishing a flexible programming system to accommodate variations caused by close proximity working.

Liaison with TfGM and Salford Central Station - Prior to works commencing on site, we undertook a co-ordination meeting with operators of the local transport network to ensure that suitable provisions were maintained with regard to the transport hub whilst the highway and public realm works were being undertaken, including temporary bus stop and parking provisions, in addition to maintaining pedestrian crossing provisions across New Bailey Street.

Project Challenges

The city centre location of the project in immediate proximity to a busy railway station and a heavily trafficked arterial road junction presented a number of challenges which needed to be overcome prior to and during the works. Traffic management was a major issue given the large number of vehicle movements through the works including a PSV’s which had a stop in the middle of the site. This required temporary relocation of the bus stop to allow works to be completed.

A key risk was the level of footfall from the nearby transport hubs. To mitigate the risk we had pedestrian provisions in place over and above that required in NRSWA and in particular wide aisle footpaths to cater for surges in the number of patrons wishing to alight and embark from the immediate train station.

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