Surgo well on schedule with Academy

Sep 27 2007 by Francesca Craggs, The Journal

AFTER carrying out extensive ground works and land levelling to prepare the site ahead of construction, contractor Surgo is well on schedule with the 80-week build programme to construct the new Excelsior Academy in Scotswood, Newcastle – the largest education project currently under construction in the region.

As the steel framework makes its mark on the skyline, visitors and local residents can now see the project taking shape and is able to get a feel for the size and scale of the academy and how it will fit in with its surroundings, totally transforming the site.

Ever conscious of the impact a project of this type and size can have on the local community, particularly in relation to the frequent movement of vehicles to the site and mud on the road, the contractor has implemented an environmental plan which will be effective throughout the 80-week construction period. Some of the initiatives of the plan include:

Working in collaboration with the local authority, key members of the local community and the residents’ association by establishing a forum set up to discuss any issues that may arise; identifying one site access to minimise disruption to the traffic flow; retaining significant amounts of brick and concrete already present on site as infill material and recycling all site waste.

Speaking about the project’s progress, Surgo’s contracts manager Jack Downey said: “I am delighted with the progress that the team is making on site at Norland Road. The nature of the site and its changing land levels has presented some challenges during the first stages construction, but as always we have risen to these challenges and I am happy to say that we are on track with our schedule of works. Even the recent wet weather hasn’t affected our progress too much.”

He said as work continued and vehicular activity increased in line with materials deliveries they would endeavour to keep any possible disruption and inconvenience to a minimum.