North Wales Best Practice Club and ICE Event – A470

Download: Presentation

“Improving the north-south route through an environmental minefield – the importance of good planning, engagement and communication”

Presentation & Site Visit

North Wales Best Practice Club and ICE Cymru are pleased to present the A470 trunk road, the main highway linking north and south Wales, passes through some of the most stunning and environmentally valuable areas of, not just Wales and the UK but, arguably, Europe and the wider world.
The site surrounding the highway was constrained by a number of environmentally designated sites : National Park, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and ancient woodland. A number of protected species, including bats, occupied the area.

However, improving the route was of great economic and social importance to Wales and, in particular, this relatively economically disadvantaged part of Wales. Balancing these complex elements presented huge challenges to the Welsh Government client and their representatives, YGC, both during the project development stages and latterly, during construction with the contractor, Alun Griffiths Ltd.

This event offers an opportunity to better understand the challenges facing the team, how they dealt with these challenges and the lessons they have learnt in delivering the project. Of particular interest is the way in which the team was established to deliver this project, the departures to highway standards required to minimise impacts on the site, the way the team dealt with statutory bodies and procedures and how they engaged with a broad range of stakeholders over a lengthy development period.

Who should attend and why?

Clients
This is a “must-attend” event for any clients involved in delivering infrastructure projects in environmentally sensitive areas including Welsh Government and local authority officers as well as private sector organisations representing public sector clients. Attendees will learn the importance of engagement with a wide range of stakeholders and the challenges of negotiating complex statutory procedures involving competing priorities.

Consultants
Designers delivering infrastructure projects in environmentally sensitive areas will learn how highway standards were managed to minimise site impacts and secure statutory approvals.

Contractors
Main contractors and members of the wider supply chain will learn how their input can/should be harnessed to minimise impacts on the environment and deliver construction works within an environmentally sensitive site

Statutory bodies
Negotiation with and direct input from statutory bodies such as Snowdownia National Park Authority and Natural Resources Wales has been essential to progressing this scheme. Attendees will learn how proactive engagement with the project delivery team can deliver positive benefits to the environment.

Refreshments and registration will be from 9.30am and the event will commence at 10.00am with a presentation by the team followed by a tour of the site. The event will conclude at 12.30pm.

PPE required – Hi vis Jackets are essential and boots are recommended for the site visit.

How to Book: To reserve your place please email CEWales Events stating your full contact details and the names of all delegates wishing to attend. Substitution of delegates can be made at any time.

To become a Best Practice Club member visit our Club Page for details. Payments can now be made by credit/debit card.

Non-attendance by any registered delegate will be charged £20 unless you have informed us by Wednesday 7th May 2014.

In order to reduce wastage at our events CEW operates a policy of only notifying venue details when issuing registration confirmation. This ensures we only cater for delegates who have registered and don’t over order for individuals who may or may not turn up on the day.