Last November (2016), East Midlands Airport was closed for five consecutive weekends in order to allow for the huge runway resurfacing operation to take place. The project marked the first time that a UK commercial airport has implemented full shutdowns across multiple weekends to allow large volumes of surfacing to be carried out, with airport bosses deeming it the ‘best way to avoid major disruption’ prior to the Christmas period.
During the works, approximately 55,000 tonnes of aggregates were laid on the 2.9km runway – which serves airlines including Ryanair, Flybe and Jet2.
In being appointed as special surfacing contractor by framework contractor,
Through early engagement and drawing on previous learnings, Aggregate Industries took a partnership approach to help Colas deliver a high quality service, on time and in full, meeting and exceeding client expectations.
Core to this was surety of supply of the vast quantity of material needed. To produce the tonnages required, Colas procured and established three on-site mobile asphalt plants which were in operation simultaneously – all of which needed a continuous supply.
With its Bardon Hill quarry capable of producing 1,500,000 tonnes of high quality aggregates for surfacing solutions per year, Aggregate Industries was able to deliver a stock-pile of 800-1,000 tonnes per day, every day, from the 2nd September right up to the 5th November works launch date.
Equally important, was the acute specification of material needed. The specialist asphalt material, Beton Bitumeux Aeronautique (BBA) specified required four different aggregate blends: 11500 tonnes of 8/14mm granite, 9200 tonnes of 6/10mm granite, 10000 tonnes of 3/6mm granite and 13200 tonnes of 0/4mm CRF granite.
From its Bardon Hill quarry, Aggregate Industries was able to ensure the vast requirement of this material exceeding the strength, flake and skid values required for the project. The business was also able to deliver one aggregate material per day to minimise the associated risk of loss/contamination on site, while operating a stringent quality procedure to ensure there was no risk of contamination on distribution wagons.
Logistically, Aggregates Industries’ approach to delivery was another huge benefit for Colas. Being ideally located just 13.2 miles away from the airport, the Aggregate Industries team was able to arrange last-minute deliveries easily in line with Colas and project requirements.
This included the supply of additional vehicles at short notice during the second weekend of works which enabled Colas to keep the project ahead of track and minimise what otherwise would have incurred extremely costly downtime.
Working in partnership with Aggregate Industries, Colas completed the prestigious project ahead of schedule, within just five weekends.
Craig Lennon, senior project manager at Galliford Try, said: “I would like pass on my thanks to Aggregate Industries for providing wagons during weekend two works which was vital to keeping the project on schedule. This was above and beyond the requirements of Aggregate Industries and helped us to complete the programmed works and ensure the runway was reopened ahead of schedule. I am sure this relationship will continue as we commence works on Doncaster Airport this year.”
Gareth Pugh, regional director at Aggregate Industries, said: “Having worked with Colas on the runway resurfacing at Manchester Airport in 2011, we were able to apply our learnings to ensure an even more robust approach to the aggregate supply of this project.
“From working with Colas at the inventory stages, we were able to put a stringent plan in place to ensure a continuity of supply without disruption, and make any last minute changes, ensuring Colas had the exact specific technical and quality specification of aggregate as and when they needed it.”
