Link were appointed by BAM Construction Ltd to design and agree a full S278 detailed design with Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) for Windsor Olympus Academy, on the site of the former Merry Hill Allotments, Perrott Street, Sandwell. The Academy access works off Perrott Street for 2no. access points to provide a circulatory one way for access and egress to the academy. Offsite works also included the provision of linear parking provision along the western channel line of Perrott Street which included the provision of 2no. uncontrolled pedestrian crossings.

The proposed detailed design was to be in accordance with Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council design standards in line with the consented planning applications details, including:

• Full 2D and 3D design
• Pavement and Kerbing constructions
• Road markings and signage to TSRGD
• Swept path analysis
• Stage 1/2 Road Safety Audit responses

Link was appointed by AHR Architects and MAT Ltd. on behalf of the ultimate client, Summit Healthcare Ltd & the facilities managers at Russell’s Hall Hospital, on a variety of complex alteration and extension projects.

New bed store:

This project involved construction of a new build bed store on the ground floor in a confined internal courtyard.

The projects challenges included a host of existing services, including a main foul water sewer serving a main wing of the hospital, which had to remain in operation during the construction. Link Engineering devised a unique foundation and structure which cantilevered one side of the building to avoid services diversions, saving considerable time and cost and thus making the project feasible.

New Pheno Scanner Installation:

Following the success of the bed store project, Summit Healthcare recommended Link Engineering to the fit out contractors, MAT Ltd. who were making the necessary alterations to the existing hospital building to enable installation of the new Pheno Scanner on the first floor.

The Pheno Scanner is a highly vibration sensitive item of equipment and thus, the existing structure needed to be modified to be able to comply with the HBN 03 and the SCI Guide P351 criteria, for control of vibrations in hospitals, together with Siemens own specific and exacting deflection criteria and fixing locations.

Our scope involved investigating the existing structure and carrying out detailed analysis to enable structural strengthening. A 3D model was created and a detailed finite elements analysis carried out to enable new strengthening steel to be installed.

The project was further challenged by the need to retain the extensive services ducts and other equipment in full operation in the ceiling void, in which the work was being carried out, often limiting location, lengths and sizes of steel beams.

Link were appointed by Bridge Industrial to lead discussions with TfL and obtain S278 Technical Approval for the required improvements to an existing access onto the A13 Alfred’s Way, Barking.

The proposed detailed design was to be in accordance with Design Manual for Roads and Bridges and Transport for London design standards in line with the consented planning applications details, including:

• Full 2D and 3D design and setting out

• Pavement and Kerbing construction
• Road markings and signage to TSRG
• Stage 1/2 Road Safety Audit responses

The scope included detailed discussions with TfL and RMS to agree the final arrangement and construction requirements while considering site constraints, timescale risks and costs for our client. Ultimately, our input included detailed negotiations to support commuted sums calculations and the final S278 agreement between our client and TfL.

Bridge Industrial broke ground in September 2022 and has some interesting features being a Net Zero Carbon Development. You can read more about it below.

Link was appointed by Tricas Construction to assist their proposed development of 33No. residential dwellings on a brownfield parcel of land previously occupied by Chichester Caravans on Vale Road, Stourport. Link’s brief included supporting their planning application and detailed design phases of works, with residential properties across 3no blocks with 3 – 4 Storeys.  This included detailed design and Technical Approval of the access works under a S278 Agreement with Worcestershire County Council.

Our team worked with Tricas from RIBA Stage 2 (Concept) right through to RIBA Stages 5 & 6 (Construction and Handover) for Civil and Structural design elements.

The proposed detailed design, post planning included:

• Full 2D and 3D design and setting out in support of a site wide volumetric exercise;
• Foundation design based on Vibro Stone column ground improvement (with performance specification provided by Link);
• Bespoke masonry superstructural design;
• Precast concrete floors;
• S278 detailed design and approval with WCC Highways;
• Onsite private external levels and pavement constructions;
• Foul and Surface water drainage design including SUDS features;

Park Lane, Cradley is a proposed residential development for circa 89 dwellings commissioned by Countryside Developments. Link provided an initial value engineering design identifying design risks and opportunities for future consideration. Onsite works involved the Section 38 and Section 104 design packages in addition to private drainage design and external levels. Additionally Link prepared the offsite civil engineering works associated with the site S278 which includes the provisions of a Ghost Right Access and various pedestrian crossings of Park Lane.

The steep nature of the site introduced an additional complexity, especially when it came to value engineering. Retaining wall heights were reduced whilst ensuring appropriate gradients for the residential roads in accordance with Dudley standards, as well as DDA compliant driveways. Furthermore the drainage being so steep meant a series of hydrobrakes were introduced throughout the system via a cascade to control the flow and reduce the volume of attenuation at the downstream end of the site.

Link was appointed by Redsun Projects Limited to prepare a detailed Civil and Structural design for a logistics development comprising of 4 units with ancillary offices, external yards and car parks with a total area of approximately 332,500sqft., and to provide and agree a detailed highways design for the proposed access off Hortonwood 45, Telford. The proposed detailed design was to be in accordance with TR66, TR34, National House Building Council, and Telford & Wrekin Council Highways Design Guide including:

• Planning Support;
• Production of Flood Risk Assessment;
• Detailed Civil and Structural Engineering design to support construction;
• Foundation design;
• Pavement, kerbing and external works construction make-up;
• Post novation services within a D&B contract.

Link was commissioned to continue to support this development during construction through a novation agreement with the successful Design and Build contractor.