The Newgale bypass is a proposed £25–£60 million coastal adaptation and road realignment project for the storm-battered A487 in Pembrokeshire, Wales. The core aim is to reroute the road inland around the vulnerable shingle bank at Newgale beach to prevent severe weather and flood disruptions.
ESP were appointed to undertake a complex Ground Investigation and report for a proposed highway bypass around Newgale. The works included trial pits, cable percussion and rotary boreholes (inc. dynamic sampling and coring), specialist geophysical borehole logging, geophysical land surveying and cone penetrometer testing. As part of the works ESP, were required to overcome and manage some significant restrictions and limitations, such as highway works, access to private and tenant held land, ecology, presence of livestock, archaeology and challenging ground and weather conditions.
Prior to mobilisation, ESP requested the inclusion of a detailed site walkover in the scope of works; this enabled us to view investigation areas and identify/record limitations in advance, which allowed discussion with the Client team and adaptation of the approach and revision of cost elements. For example, due to soft ground conditions and associated difficult access in lowland areas, investigation methods were modified to avoid potential delays and additional costs.
The scheme was appointed a dedicated three tier project team (engineer, manager and director), all supervised by the ESP Framework Manager. The project manager scheduled frequent progress discussions with the Client team, to ensure all parties were kept up to date and to provide opportunity to resolve potential issues. As the works were remote, it was managed via the setting up of a temporary project compound to serve as a project base. We utilised local contractors for less specialised work elements. ESP provided a Ground Investigation Report containing all ground investigation data. The project works were managed and delivered within the agreed timeframe and budget.
ESP received some valuable feedback from the client and wider project team:
PCC have recently instructed ESP on another project in the Thornton catchment of Milford Haven, and when liaising with land and home owners, ESP were polite, professional and accommodating. Therefore, we would have no hesitation in instructing ESP on future projects.
