Tower Point
Delivered for Clarion Housing Group
Project introduction
Lawtech successfully completed a cladding remediation project at Tower Point. The residential block reaches 7 storeys at its highest point. It is a detached, purpose-built building, containing 20 general-needs flats.
Challenges
Unique Design
The building had a few challenges regarding its design. For example, where the brise-soleil was situated, scaffold had to be specifically designed to be narrower than usual. This was designed and installed by trusted scaffold specialists, who ensured the scaffold design was efficient and the installation was safe. Architectural fins were also present with rainscreen behind them that needed to be accessed to complete the works.
Busy Location
Located at a busy roundabout, which is the main road for the County Square shopping centre down the road (0.1 mile), Ashford International train station is a short distance (0.6 miles) too, so traffic management and access points were important to mitigate risks and inconvenience to all stakeholders and general public.
Balcony Restrictions
Residents were prohibited from their balconies during balcony works for their safety. However, Heras fence panels were positioned between the balcony and scaffold to ensure resident safety throughout. Posters were also placed on balcony doors prohibiting residents from attempting access and residents were informed of when their balconies would be out of use well in advance through open days and hand-delivered letters.
Social Value
Hiring Locally
Lawtech are committed to hiring local where possible. This was demonstrated in this project as we employed local labourers. Two of the labourers since progressed in their career with us at Lawtech, working as an Assistant Site Manager and a Trainee Quantity Surveyor under our guidance and being provided the opportunity to undertake relevant qualifications.
Protecting the Public
This development is bounded by residential buildings, and there are also commercial units nearby. As such there was generally a reasonably high presence of pedestrian foot flow around the perimeter of the site and at access and egress points around the building to the north and east elevations, children, and vehicles in proximity to the building.
We strictly followed the precautions outlined in the traffic management plan to reduce, as far as possible, any risk to the public, nearby properties, and road users.
We also had a 5mph speed limit in operation within the site compound area and approach roads for all delivery vehicles. The drivers were advised in advance of highly populated area and that due care and attention should be taken at all times.
The area can be highly congested during peak times, so deliveries were timed outside these hours to avoid disruption. Walkways were monitored at all times during delivery and if closures had to be put in place, pedestrian diversions were set up.
