Projects

National Highways are delivering major improvements to the A46 at Binley and Walsgrave junctions in Coventry. The project is being built in two phases with challenging delivery targets linked to the environment, safety, efficiencies and social value.

To meet the targets every aspect of the scheme is under scrutiny and one of the first areas was the compound office and welfare facility. By taking the early decision to build only one office facility for both phases from structural insulated panels (SIPS) there have been immediate benefits:

• Productivity increased
• CO2 emissions decreased
• Social Value added

Looking to the future, long duration projects will gain whole life benefits from selecting this off-site panelised housing system for high quality, sustainable site accommodation.

Caroline Hutson, the environmental lead on the A46 scheme explains: “This helps us meet the carbon aims of these schemes and we must practice what we preach by including how we manage our site. First, as this building can maintain an air change rating of 0.6, which is commensurate with a Passive House, it is very low cost to heat. Thus, improving energy efficiency further.”

Gareth Ellison, director at Innovare Systems “It would be extremely satisfying if we could reuse this structure to benefit the local communities through education and social support. “