Winterstoke Bridge: Overcoming road over rail challenges
Built in the 1940s to support wartime industries, Winterstoke Road Bridge was no longer able to fulfil its role as a principal route into Weston-super-Mare. In recent years, a weight restriction has meant that larger traffic has to avoid the bridge, causing congestion in the town centre, and the declining condition of the bridge meant […]
Frameworks: Embedding repeatable social value success
We have consistently delivered social value equivalent to 30 per cent of turnover, or more, here’s how Octavius thrives in frameworks. In addition to places on local and regional authority transport frameworks nationwide the company has secured 10 of the 13 UK highway frameworks it bid and is the only contractor with a presence in […]
Frameworks – Effectively managing scope changes and unforeseen conditions
Framework programmes will inevitably at some point be subject to scope changes and/or unforeseen conditions. In this feature Jamie Harrison Delivery Director Highways at Octavius discusses how with the right culture and collaborative approach these issues do not necessarily have to impact key project milestones and capital investment budgets.Jamie highlights that it starts with a […]
A1331 Link Road Phase One: Success raises hope for Phase Two prospects
With some projects it feels like the stars are aligned. Pretty much everything goes ahead as planned and when challenges arise they are overcome, without friction, by allowing common purpose to guide the solution. Delivering the first phase of the A1331 Link Road was one of those projects. But luck was not a factor, forging […]
Wentedge Bridge Pier Replacement: Overcoming phased design challenges
Wentedge Road bridge carries the unclassified Wentedge Road over the dual carriageway A1 to the southeast of Wentbridge village, West Yorkshire. Octavius was awarded the role of principal contractor, on a project to ensure the structure’s integrity and extend the asset’s life, under National Highways’ Scheme Delivery Framework. Adding to the complexity of an already […]
Will Somerset’s new approach to highways contracts catch on?
Octavius Regional Civil Engineering Contracts Manager, Nick Brooks assesses Somerset Council’s decision to replace its Highways term maintenance contractor with five specialist partners. Somerset Council’s progressive approach to highways is making headlines. “Somerset signs £140m trio of deals to deliver ‘new era’”, reported Highways Magazine; which continued, “In a change to the way it delivers […]
Manchester Victoria North East Gateway: All about people and community
Victoria North East Gateway is a package of road, cycle and walking route enhancements that improve access to Manchester city centre, public transport and provide connections to walking and cycling schemes in other parts of the city. Octavius is Manchester City Council’s, Principal contractor for the project, which marks the company’s first win on the Manchester City Council […]
Octavius Successfully Delivers Phase 1 of A1331 Link Road on Time and on Budget
£27 million highway scheme reaches major milestone for Essex County Council and the Colchester community. Octavius is proud to announce the successful completion and opening of Phase 1 of the A1331 Link Road in Colchester, delivered on behalf of Essex County Council. The £27 million infrastructure scheme has been completed on programme and within budget, […]
Wentbridge Viaduct: Managing extended scope
Wentbridge Viaduct is a grade II listed structure and one of National Highways’ top ten most important structures on the strategic road network. Opened in 1961 the viaduct carries the A1T, which carries in excess of 86,000 vehicles per day, over the Went Valley. A three-span post tensioned prestressed box girder bridge, the viaduct comprises […]
Right First Time: How to Select the Best VRS Repair Partner
Want to know if a VRS emergency repair contractor has got what it takes? Chris Ellis, Delivery Director of Octavius’ regional civils business explains what to look for Emergency vehicle restraint system (VRS) repair is high intensity work. The clock is always ticking. For a Category One repair there can be just seven days to […]
March public realm: All about community and collaboration
A project like March may not seem anything out of the ordinary: new pedestrian areas, new carriage ways and new street furniture intended to revitalise the town centre. But delivering a project like March while keeping the town centre thriving, keeping the community onside, and keeping the traffic flowing is the opposite of undemanding. For […]
Official opening of Long Stratton bypass celebrated
Long Stratton bypass is officially open, cutting long-standing congestion in the Norfolk town and – with 1,800 new homes planned for the area – future-proofing the local road network. The project to construct the bypass was successfully delivered by Octavius. Valued at £47 million, the new road was classified as priority infrastructure by client Norfolk […]