A339 Sandleford
Public realm scheme
The major infrastructure project involved widening the A339 on both sides, between the Pinchington Lane Roundabout in Newbury and the entrance to the Household Waste Recycling Centre. The works were part of the new Highwood Copse Primary School and proposed new housing development to ease traffic congestion between the Pinchington Lane and Swan Roundabouts.
What we did
Works included the construction of a new traffic signal-controlled junction, connecting the A339 to the new Highwood Copse Primary School. The team installed a new drainage system and relocated multiple underground utility services.
With safety always front of mind, the business identified safe working areas for the workforce, alongside the carriageway. The team installed a temporary steel barrier system, which provided an easy-to-move solution and a temporary pedestrian crossing, enhancing safety for both the workforce and the travelling public.
Project successes
Throughout the scheme, VolkerHighways suggested innovative solutions to increase efficiency, while reducing costs. VolkerHighways worked with West Berkshire Council on a number of design changes, especially on the drainage. This included using plastic pipes, instead of the specified concrete, to reduce manual handling issues and future maintenance.
Supporting West Berkshire in their 2030 carbon neutrality pledge and our People, Planet, Purpose sustainability framework, some of the subsoil and topsoil was re-used on site, reducing haulage trips and providing significant cost savings for the council. Additionally, a design change was made to the footway construction, which included the use of 2,000t of recycled subbase.
The project was showcased as part of Build UK’s Open Doors Week. A total of 82 students, across five groups from Newbury College, were invited to take a ‘behind the scenes’ look into the project and hear about the career opportunities available within the construction industry.
