Procured through the Manchester Airport Group Major Capital Works Framework and delivered in JV with Dowds, this fast-paced refit project has delivered a reconfiguration of the arrivals seating area at Stansted Airport. The project was completed on time and within budget.
The works consisted of the removal of three fixed seating banks and loose furniture and their replacement with new seating and M&E installation, spread across 3 phases. The removal and replacement of seating was phased as surrounding retailers required a minimum amount of seating to be maintained for their operations which remained uninterrupted throughout the project. We developed positive working relationships with all the retailers, giving prior notice of construction activities. The Flight Information Displays were also reconfigured for improved visibility and the existing information desk was removed and a replacement installed in a separate location, with flooring tile replacements as required.
M&E installation included USB power supply to timber seating. All installations were registered on Maximo, the airport’s asset register system. MAG requested that we suspend works over Easter due to exceptionally high footfall through the period. Site hoardings were demounted and re-installed after the holiday period. The programme was unaffected with the completion date still achieved.
We approached the Stansted project in line with our ISO44001 accreditation for Collaborative Working.
Client
Manchester Airport Group (MAG)
Working within a live airport environment, we undertook an extensive risk review and identified effective risk mitigations in collaboration with the client. All works were carried out in accordance with the unique site security requirements of a live airport. Key mitigation measures included the mandatory wearing of hi-vis vests or jackets for any works which involved unloading or loading on public highway or airport carriageway. Additionally, adequate signs, notices, warning triangles and cones were also used to identify the activities to other road users, showing that the road was blocked or obstructed. Fado liaised with the Stansted Security and Estates Team in advance of all logistics and operatives entering or leaving the site. We also liaised closely with the police armed response unit based at the airport, to ensure there was no interference with their access.
As part of our robust logistics plan, all deliveries to site were planned and agreed with the Project Manager and Contracts Manager, with a 5-day notice period, and undertaken during normal working hours with supervision at all times by our Site Supervisor as per the client’s request.
Stansted arrivals seating is situated within the main thoroughfare for international arrivals exiting the airport, resulting in heavy pedestrian footfall, and is surrounded by several retailers for whom the custom of arrivals is business critical. With this heavy pedestrian footfall and businesses directly adjacent to the site, all possible measures were taken to limit the amount of noise generated by our works. This included ensuring all equipment having the appropriate exhaust silencers, as well as shutting down equipment when not in use. All possible action was also taken to limit the amount of dust generated during the project, taking account of adjacent personnel and activities.
Working within a Heavily Regulated Environment
From our experience of delivering projects within airports, we understand that working in these environments is heavily regulated. We engaged early during the tender period with the client to understand the specific permits required for working within Stansted Airport and incorporated these items within our construction programme. This allowed us to clearly measure the impact in time of acquiring these permits and demonstrated the benefits of our targeting of early acquisition.
Recognising the specialist nature of working within the heavily regulated space that is a live airport, we prioritised airport experience as a key weighting within our supply chain procurement, particularly for critical packages such as M&E. Indicative of this, our partnered Electrical subcontractor, Levertech, have a wealth of experience in the aviation sector, including direct experience of working within the constraints of Passenger Areas.
We shared MAG’s ambition to target local spend through the project and deliver social value. We partnered with local suppliers, with members of our supply chain based in Bishops Stortford and Southend, thereby ensuring that the local economy received material benefit from the project. This benefit extended beyond simple local spend, for we view our supply chain as an extension of our own business and were able to provide expert training to our suppliers at Stansted, in line with our rigorous training policy.
