This week our modern apprentices and engineers met with Alan Ierland, (Design manager, Ayrshire Roads Alliance), David MacPherson (Flooding team leader, Ayrshire Roads Alliance) and Jamie Syme, (site agent for Wills Brothers Civil Engineering Ltd) at the New Cumnock Flood Protection Scheme (Phase 2).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o21xZRxchmA
During the visit David and Alan delivered a brief history of the flooding experienced within New Cumnock in December 2013 and December 2015 and discussed details of the designed flood scheme and the scope of the works.
Jamie gave a talk on the actual construction challenges encountered before escorting everyone around the site to view the ongoing works and gave examples of the challenges the scheme posed, such as, access constraints and utility interactions experienced on site and discussed options to overcome such challenges to ensure the successful delivery of the works.
The need for detailed planning of the works at all stages, both as designer and contractor to avoid health and safety and environmental issues, cost increases, and delays to the contract was emphasised throughout the visit.
Our Modern Apprentice Nathan Field stated “the visit was very informative, it was really useful to find out about the history of the area and discover why we are carrying out this important work”
