Community gets involved at Ash Road Bridge
Getting the community involved is an important part of our Ash Road Bridge project. During July community groups and students from Ash Manor School were invited on site to find out how the bridge is progressing.
These engagement events contribute to the social value for the project. Social value is about giving something back to the community. The visits are the latest in a range of activities that our contractor, VolkerFitzpatrick Limited (VFL) have organised in Ash.
Community groups learn about construction
Over 60 Scouts, Cubs and Beavers visited the Ash Road Bridge site at the beginning of July. Colin Bexley, VolkerFitzpatrick's project manager, gave them an understanding of the project. They found out about:
- what personal protection equipment (PPE) is needed on a construction site
- what sort of engineering equipment is being used
- the installation of the bridge beams in May
The children also had the opportunity to walk up the south embankment to see the new bridge. They also walked along the newly completed section of Foreman Road, which opened on 15 July.
Malcolm Simpson of the 1st Ash Vale Scouts group, thanked VFL and said:
"It was a great visit for all our young members. The accompanying adults were also very pleased to get the chance to see the project up close!"
Work experience for local students
Four students from Ash Manor School spent four days on site for work experience between 15 and 18 July.
What they did on the first day
On the first day they were given an induction including risk assessment, scope of the project and met the whole site team. They were then kitted out in their PPE and had a tour of the site.
Over the next two days they each spent a day with the construction and engineering teams.
What they did on the last day
The students were able to choose which area they preferred. They then spent more time getting involved in their chosen discipline.
Colin Bexley, VFL's Project Manager, said:
"I was pleased we could offer this opportunity to the students from Ash Manor School. It was great to see them getting involved with the project. I was also excited that, out of the four students who came along for work experience, three of them showed an interested in following careers in the construction industry."
Tom Hunt, Lead Councillor for Regeneration, said:
"Not only are these visits brilliant opportunities for young people in Ash to get a glimpse of what the new bridge is going to look like, but it also gives them a chance to consider careers in the engineering and construction industries. Thanks to VolkerFitzpatrick for setting aside time and resources for these activities."