Cambridge Airport, operated and owned by Marshall, is located to the South West of Cambridge City Centre. Specialising in engineering solutions for aircraft maintenance, Cambridge Airport enables Marshall to bring aircraft in and out of its manufacturing facility. Cambridge airport hosts EAAA and Cambridge Aero club. BDPSP have worked at Cambridge Airport to help with delivering their requirements since 2017.

BDPSP worked with Marshall to deliver the award-winning Ground Engine Running Facility project, constructed by VolkerFitzpatrick and BDI. This is the largest four-sided acoustic enclosure in Europe and is used for engine testing and therefore quality and safety were at the forefront of our minds throughout the entire project. The construction period was from April 2018 – August 2019.

Throughout the length of the Ground Engine Running Facility construction project BDPSP assisted Cambridge Airport in delivery of their health, safety, quality and environmental requirements in line with CDM 2015 regulations. We worked with Cambridge Airport and the Contractors to deliver a collaborative approach for:

·        Developing construction phase plans

·        CDM co-ordination, auditing and risk assessment

·        Site inductions

·        Method statements

·        Risk assessments (including environmental requirements)

·        Fire risk assessments during construction and then commissioning including fire alarm system handover for practical use

·        Planning requirements for local authority

·        Airside environment (EASA and CAP)

·        Operational readiness reviews

·        Auditing of HSQE

·        Part 1 and 2 safety cases in accordance with CAA requirements

·        Review of Contractor’s tenders and construction phase plans

·        Implementation of building regulations including ground gas membrane

·        Noise monitoring

·        Asbestos management

·        As built Health and Safety file collation

This project was heavily reliant on the Local Authority for planning. Geotechnical , archaeological and UX surveys were required which were overseen by BDPSP.  Regular visits to the site were undertaken by the EHO and planning officer responsible for the scheme which were attended and led by BDPSP on behalf of the airport.  Asbestos was identified on site and was successfully cleared from site under a ‘remediation’ planning condition which was closed out to all party’s satisfaction.

Commissioning of the building was required, which saw 2 no aircraft being operated in the new enclosure. To commence with the commissioning process, a detailed plan of action was required.  This included training of key personnel on the operation of the equipment, safety management of the engine runs, ensuring equipment was adequate for the plan of works, field inspections prior to starting, noise monitoring to meet planning requirements, fire risk assessment and response in conjunction with the airport fire service. This took around three weeks to liaise with all key stakeholders, interfacing across multiple teams to successfully commission the GRE.