- Project: Leigh and Glazebury WwTW
- Principal Contractor: Advance-plus
- Project Lead: Antony Birchall, Technical Sales
- Key Benefit: Providing a safe, cost effective and innovative solution to working at height
Introduction
As part of the current AMP7 cycle for United Utilities, in August 2021 upgrade and refurbishment works began at two neighbouring sites based in Lancashire, one at Leigh and the other at Glazebury. The joint venture between MWH Treatment and J Murphy and Sons is part of an ongoing £10m improvement project to develop a more efficient waste water treatment process for the area.
Due to historical relationships on previous AMP cycles, MGF we’re given the opportunity early on to offer a solution for the works required. Early engagement in this project was hugely beneficial, with a quality design brief provided by Advance-plus that allowed us to produce a range of design solutions suitable for various applications across both sites. These included MGF’s 406 UC modular tank brace and innovative wall bridge.
The Solution
A key element of MGF’s solution was the supply of our new wall bridge to allow safe access and egress into newly constructed reinforced concrete tanks. These structures had been built close to existing buildings making the requirement for safe working at height essential across all phases.
MGF’s wall bridge is an innovative double-sided steel ladder access platform that is a cost-effective alternative to scaffold towers and avoids the need to fit and reposition as works progress on site, making it the ideal safety solution.
For the site based in Leigh, MGF proposed the use of a modular hydraulic framing system to support a primary ferric cofferdam that measured 13.5m x 8.55m x 2m deep.
This was a propped cantilever design utilising our 305 UC brace, 254 UC brace and 5m GU13 sheet piles that allowed the excavation of a primary ferric tank to take place.
For the site based in Glazebury, a larger solution was suggested for the 18m x 7.25m x 5.6m deep cofferdam. This consisted of MGF’s 254 UC brace for the top frame and a combination of 406 UC brace and 305 UC brace on the bottom frame, utilising 6.5m GU13 sheet piles.
This site also had restricted areas that required access with small machinery, resulting in the supply of MGF’s lightweight manhole box and mini trench box.
“This was a great piece of equipment to allow safe access into the structure, without the need for scaffolding being erected and certifying.”
Mark Gray, Work Superintendent, Advance-plus
The Verdict
As result of the solution we provided, MGF were invited to deliver lunch and learn sessions to a number of Engineers and Temporary Works Co-ordinators working within the current AMP7 cycle with this project being the main focus.
MGF discussed how early involvement and engagement are key and the importance of collaborative working during the essential AMP7 upgrade. We also had the opportunity to showcase the benefits of our latest innovative solution to temporary edge protection.
