BCEGI UK has completed A538 Junction Improvement Scheme

We are delighted to announce the completion of the project to upgrade and improve the A538 Wilmslow Road. The project involved the widening of the existing carriageway and the installation of new traffic signals to the junction of Sunbank Lane, improving access and capacity into the World Logistics Hub. The scheme is part of a £100 million development which aims to attract new businesses and create over 1800 job opportunities within the Manchester Airport City Enterprise Zone.

Working with our civil engineering sub-contractor GPL, BCEGI safely delivered the project without any personal injury accidents in over 80,000 man hours. The scheme was also delivered ahead of schedule and within budget.

Wilmslow Road is a very busy route and the improvement works required a great deal of consultation with the local community and statutory authorities to ensure disruption from our works was kept to an absolute minimum. Through close coordination with our traffic management contractor, we were able to keep 2 lanes of traffic running for the majority of our works, and always during the hours of peak traffic.  

The scheme consisted of three main aspects;

• Firstly, the carriageway between Junction 6 of the M56 and the Manchester Airport tunnels on the A538 (Wilmslow Road) was widened from single 2-lane carriageway into a dual 4-lane carriageway. This has significantly improved capacity between the M56 and World Logistics Hub, as well as for through traffic travelling towards and from Wilmslow.
• Secondly, the existing priority junction with Sunbank Lane was upgraded to operate under signal control. Additional lanes were added which has improved both capacity into the new development as well as road safety in and around the junction.
• The final aspect of the scheme involved the installation of a 1.5km long foul rising main to serve the new development. This was constructed using both traditional open cut methods as well as utilising trenchless technology, including a 200m long directional drill beneath the Hale four seasons roundabout.

Thomas Berriman, BCEGI Project Manager said: “After what has been an extremely challenging 10 months, to safely deliver the scheme a week early is a fantastic achievement for all involved in the project.”

Dongwen Yu, BCEGI Lead Director said: “Our strong working relationship with our joint venture partner provides a robust platform from which we can continue to grow our presence in the major infrastructure sector. We now stand in good stead for further opportunities that are coming to the Airport City development.”