The challenge:

The M3 acts as one of the main gateways to the south coast. However, its busiest stretch – the 10-miles of motorway between junctions 9, where it connects to the A34, and 13 is expected to carry at least 20,000 more vehicles per day by 2036. Given its importance in not only serving the Southampton docks, but the tourist hotspots of Dorset and Hampshire, National Highways unveiled a series of planned works to futureproof the motorway ahead of the forecast levels of increased traffic.

As is the case for most highway projects, time was of the essence – with a completion deadline of March 2023, and all materials needing to be supplied direct to site. Therefore, main contractor Balfour Beatty required a considered solution that met the strict requirements.

The solution:

Having worked with Keyline on previous highways schemes, such as the M4 smart motorway and local authority projects across Cambridge, Devon, Hampshire, Peterborough, and Somerset, Milestone Infrastructure and Balfour Beatty turned to the civil specialists for a quality service. 

A schedule of works was provided by the project manager and quantity surveyor which enabled collaboration with all stakeholders and the supply chain. From there the Keyline team, led by Jordan Cornwall, National Sales Office Manager at Keyline, hosted fortnightly meetings. 

Clear communication was key to the project’s success. With the specific criteria and tight timelines of highways projects, ongoing meetings helped the team identify urgent and evolving requirements. As a result, Keyline helped create a blueprint for success, measured through high levels of specialist service and accurate, timely deliveries.

Steven Liff, senior quantity surveyor at Milestone Infrastructure said: ”We were required to work closely with the client and our supply chain to provide the best value in sourcing and delivering the materials for the works. This required close collaboration between all parties in ensuring best value, quality and timely delivery. Keyline provided an excellent service with Jordan, Richard and Cheryl making themselves available at all times and like with any project, dealt with changes in requirements smoothly and efficiently. Through regular communication, we were able to resolve any issues that arose.”

Ongoing collaboration was fundamental to meeting sustainability targets and achieving competitive pricing. By working closely with a range of suppliers, including Polypipe Civils, Wrekin, FP McCanns, Terram, Tensar, ACO and Althon, Keyline delivered over £750k worth of foundation and drainage products to site in 12 weeks for the installation of the new concrete barrier.

Andy Thomas, senior contractor development manager at Wrekin said: “As main contractors, Balfour Beatty undertook subcontract packages to Milestone for the general civils and drainage and PJ Davidson (Volker) for the central reservation slipform package. We took a collaborative approach with Jordan Cornwall and the Keyline team on the Milestone aspect. This involved attending site meetings with Milestone, to establish the specification required for both D Iron castings and Geotextiles. There was work carried out on changing some castings due to the dimensions specified being non-standard.  With further site visits, full requirements and schedule of deliveries were agreed, fully supported by Jordan and the Keyline team. 

“Working directly with PJ Davidson, we were able to agree the material requirements and a schedule of deliveries, supported by the East Anglia nationals office, and the order was managed by all parties and ensuring all deliveries were OTIF and completed on FORS Silver Vehicles.”

Another consideration to manage was the impact on the environment, as Jordan Cornwall, national sales office manager at Keyline, explained: “Protecting the local environment and improving biodiversity are key considerations when undertaking any highways project.  Indeed, for major infrastructure and Government-led projects, failing to demonstrate sufficient evidence of how any product can contribute to the short, medium, and long-term impact on the natural and social environment will encounter significant barriers to entry. The nationals team provided added value services by supporting large deliveries to the project compound which adhered to all ESG targets.”

To find out how Keyline’s highly experienced National Sales Team can help support on similar projects, please contact Ian Burton, National Sales Account Manager, at ian.burton@keyline.co.uk.