Infrastructure & Archaeology: What Contractors Need To Know

Archaeology is much more than just digging up artefacts. It leaves a positive legacy for future generations and it adds value to what we build and to the communities we create.

Developer-led archaeology contributes a huge amount to our understanding of the UK’s cultural heritage. And, from a reputational point of view, paying proper attention to archaeology and heritage can cast a positive light for contractors within the communities that are affected by our projects. Archaeology can play an important part in enhancing the reputation of the infrastructure sector as a whole.

The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists, the leading professional body for archaeologists working in the UK and overseas, has said that although contractors and clients often get worried about archaeology, thinking it causes delays and costs money, it is not about stopping development – in fact it’s the opposite. If contractors follow best practice guidelines and work with an accredited archaeologist at the pre-planning application stage, this leads to a better understanding of what archaeological work is likely to be needed during a project, and how to conduct it in a way that will be acceptable to the local Planning Authority and Archaeological Officer.

As a contractor, early engagement means that you are much less likely to come upon any surprises later on when you start building on site, which may cause greater delays and higher costs to a project. But if something unexpected turns up when construction has begun, archaeology consultants can be there again to help work with the local authority to come up with a workable solution that won’t delay the site longer than is necessary. If we collaborate early, then delays can be minimised and by using a CIfA accredited archaeologist you will avoid unnecessary work.

CIfA has set out some tips for CECA members when working with archaeologists:

• Involve archaeologists at the pre-planning stage. Too often we receive a frantic phone call on a Friday afternoon requesting an archaeologist for site the following Monday because ‘no-one realised there was a need for an archaeological excavation’. You might find that by involving us early there is no need for an archaeological excavation.
• The production of a desk-based assessment or evaluation may not be the end of the archaeological works. Through regular communication further work will not come as a surprise and may be mitigated out. Crucially, good communication is the best way of ensuring that programmes will be met.
• If there is the need for archaeological works use it to your benefit. Many of our clients talk of faster selling houses or reduced opposition to development when the community has a vested interest in the archaeology of a scheme. Archaeologists are skilled at public engagement and can be the means by which you can meet many of your environmental, community and training KPIs.

Commenting, CIfA Chief Executive Peter Hinton said: “In the UK, much of archaeology is developer-led. At the start of the planning process and during construction, developers and contractors need to take advantage of the opportunities to use archaeology to add value, as well as demonstrating that they have paid appropriate attention to any heritage that they might be affecting.

“Nowadays, ‘archaeology’ includes everything from initial assessment reports, intrusive excavation, watching briefs, conservation, and specialist services such as osteoarchaeology, through to dissemination and public engagement.

“CECA members have an important role to play in ensuring the vital infrastructure they deliver takes into account the important heritage of the UK, and the best means of doing this is to involve a CIfA-registered organisation at an appropriately early stage of schemes.

“That’s why I am delighted to have this opportunity to promote closer ties between industry and archaeologists, which will prevent unnecessary delays to building, maintaining and upgrading the infrastructure we all rely upon. This will lead to optimal outcomes for both the preservation of the UK’s heritage, the degree to which we can learn from the past, and the timely delivery of infrastructure schemes in all parts of the UK.”

To learn more about the Chartered Institute of Archaeologists and how they can help your business, click here.

CIfA has also published a useful Client Guide that you can download here.

Costain Skanska Joint Venture Delivers Significant Social Value To Communities In London

The Costain Skanska joint venture (CSjv) team working in partnership with HS2 has today shared details of its legacy programme that has created vast numbers of local jobs, invested in SMEs and challenged the stereotypical diversity of a construction project.

These outcomes known under the term ‘Social Value’ support the long-term wellbeing and resilience of individuals, communities, and society in general.

The social value activities CSjv has delivered support economic growth, local job creation and opportunities for local businesses. The joint venture’s activities also promote healthier and safer communities and protect the environment. Working with Social Value Portal (SVP), the project has been able to quantify the value of its legacy programme, achieving an equivalent of £115m of Social Value across seven London boroughs.

Nathan Goode from the SVP, which has independently verified CSjv’s social value figures said:“SVP was very pleased to work with Costain Skanska joint venture on the HS2 Enabling Works (EWC) programme, which showed how value can be added for communities by planning for social value and proactively managing supply chain.

“There is no doubt that CSJV has achieved a strong result on social value delivery and the EWC programme is performing well against its regional comparables. This provides a strong base for the construction partners to build their future social value strategies.”

Louise Dailly, Costain Skanska’s Head of Legacy said: “A key focus for our team on the Enabling Works Contract in London is to provide local jobs and support economic development to leave a lasting social legacy in the communities we’re working in. We’ve also looked at how we can deliver additional social value across our programme. One example is tackling homelessness.

“Two of our boroughs – Camden and Westminster – have some of the highest rates of homeless people in London. So we wanted to see how we could improve the lives of these vulnerable people and create opportunities to help them off the street and into sustainable jobs. Through partnering with local charities and community groups we have supported nine homeless people into accommodation and jobs on HS2.”

Costain Skanska’s social value activities have included partnering with Buses for Homeless (B4H), a social enterprise which aims to get homeless people off the street and into full time sustainable employment and accommodation. B4H refurbishes decommissioned London buses into spaces suitable for their guests to live and takes them through an intensive 12-week training programme. The site set up includes separate buses for sleeping; cooking and eating; learning; and wellness and therapy.

Speaking of the initiative, Dan Atkins, Founder of Buses 4 Homeless said: “From the day we moved onto the HS2 site in October 2019, we have had nothing but support from CSjv and HS2. The team gave us the opportunity we needed to be able to get our pilot programme up and running and it would not have been as successful as it is without their support and commitment.

“Not only have they provided us with key equipment, supported us with paperwork and the land to run our project, most importantly, the team have helped us upskill our guests and through their Supply Chain, they have offered full time employment on the HS2 programme, giving our guests a big confidence boost to be able to gain independence and get back on their own feet.

“We couldn’t be more grateful for the incredible support we have received since we moved onto site and we can’t wait to welcome the next cohort of guests on board so we can, together, help change their lives.”

Julie King, Director of Community and Stakeholder Engagement, HS2 said: “Investing in skills, employment and education is crucial to HS2 achieving its vision of being a catalyst for growth and a creator of new opportunities across the UK.

“Costain Skanska joint venture has demonstrated its commitment to be a good neighbour within the communities it works, ensuring the benefits of social value activities are realised locally. This support is just one of many ways in which HS2 is contributing to Britain’s post-pandemic economic recovery.”

You can read CECA’s report The social benefits of infrastructure investment here. The SVP report is available on HS2’s website here.

How Construction Has Helped In The Fight Against Covid-19

Companies from across the UK construction sector are being asked to showcase how they have played their part in the fight against Covid-19.

Since the initial outbreak of coronavirus in March 2020, businesses from across the industry have been playing their part in fighting the disease, providing vital resource to those on the frontline, and safeguarding construction workers and local communities.

Today sees the launch of a website www.constructioncovid19response.co.uk that showcases examples of these responses.

The site is structured around four themes:

1. Building NHS Capacity
2. PPE Donations
3. Safeguarding Workers
4. Helping Communities

Commenting, Andy Mitchell CBE, co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council, said: “No-one can have any doubt that the true heroes of the pandemic are those who work day in, day out in our NHS and care system, risking their lives to help others.

“But I have also been proud to see the response of the UK construction industry, which has come together to support our NHS, change the way we work, and support the communities in which we live.

“The delivery of the NHS Nightingale hospitals within a matter of weeks has required 24 hour working at all levels of the UK construction supply chain, and a level of co-operation that has shown UK construction at its very best.

“Industry has not only stepped up to the plate in a time of crisis, but has donated millions of pieces of much-needed PPE to hospitals, care-homes, and other front-line workers.

“We have also moved at speed to implement safe working practices in response to Covid-19 so where work can be done safely it can continue.

“Industry and Government’s priority now must be a long-term recovery plan for our sector, which will be at the very heart of the UK’s economic revival in the months and years ahead.”

The site is open to businesses from across the construction sector. Please send any case studies to hustongilmore@ceca.co.uk

Boost For Renewables With Next Round Of Contract For Difference Scheme

• making the UK a world-leader in new technologies such as floating offshore wind, which would allow wind farms to be built further away from the shore and increase clean energy capacity; 
• supporting the UK’s renewables supply chain to enhance productivity and increase competitiveness, boosting the UK’s world-class clean energy industry; 
• improving the scheme to better support energy storage, so projects can provide power when the wind stops blowing or the sun is not shining.

Government Pledges £500 Million To Bring Back Historic Rail Lines

Transport Committee Wants National Conversation On Road Pricing

New Rules On Prompt Payment Come Into Force