Work on the Highways Agency’s A34 Chieveley/M4 Junction 13 Improvement Scheme continues apace. The latest newsletter issued by Main Contractor, Costain Ltd., carries a cover photograph clearly showing the junction layout and the statistics in the newsletter are impressive. By the end of February for instance 15,000 sq.m. of lime-cement stabilisation work had been completed, 10,100 tonnes of granular sub-base laid to the new A34 section South of the M4 and 29,600 sq.m. of bituminous surfacing laid to the A34.

For the drainage work on the interchange Polypipe Civils Ltd., UK market leader in drainage for civil engineering projects, has been called upon to supply the system, working in close co-operation with Costain. Twin-walled Ridgidrain pipe – light in weight but immensely strong thanks to the ridged outer wall – is being supplied through builders’ merchant Burdens in sizes from 150 up to 450mm diameter and Polypipe Civils is also supplying ducting for the motorway communications system including traffic signals, signs etc. to a total contract value of £140,000. Ridgidrain has the advantages of excellent hydraulic performance, high corrosion and impact resistance and a simple but wholly effective jointing system allied to a comprehensive range of fittings. The pipe can also be installed in long lengths, saving both in time and labour cost.

Work is currently on schedule for substantial completion in Autumn of this year. The long term benefits of removing this last at grade junction between the M3 and the M40 will be immense.
Though virtually all the company’s products will be invisible by those who will use the roads, Polypipe Civils is happy in the knowledge that its products will be an effective part of what will be a major improvement to this essential arterial link.

This Improvement Scheme is a key component of the Government’s Targeted Programme of Improvements. (TPI).