BDPSP were pleased to work with Lagan Aviation and Infrastructure to complete Campbeltown Airport Runway Rehabilitation in only 38 days, providing Project Management services for the work from October 2021 - November 2021.

The runway, located on the old RAF Machrihanish base, on the west coast of Scotland, had a high percentage of age cracking and a slurry seal that had reached the end of its design life.

The design, undertaken by Arcadis on behalf of HIAL, was based on reflective cracking treatment with a 15-year design life. This equated to a SAMI system placed on the planed surface, with 100mm of Marshall Asphalt with a polymer modified bitumen placed over the top. The runway width was reduced to 30m, from the existing 45m width, grooved and all line marking was replaced to EASA standards. A review of the drainage system was undertaken, and some minor repairs were completed. The APAPI’s, wing bars and signage was relocated and upgraded with new concrete plinths which were delethalised. The shoulders and concrete taxiway were sealed for maintenance. A calibration flight for the APAPI’s was completed.

Lagan were given 38 days in which to undertake the works, in October and November 2021, a challenging time due to the weather conditions in the location. Lagan engaged with their suppliers and subcontractors to make sure that we could deliver the project on time, ensuring the airport was able to reopen for the local community.

During the project Lagan engaged a local school, Argyll College, offering a unique opportunity for their engineering students to experience what an active construction site is like. The students attended a site induction before entering the site and were provided with appropriate PPE including hi-vis clothing and safety helmets.

Our experienced management team worked together to undertake all project plans, methodologies, and safety documentation, undertake designs for asphalt, trials and procure everything required to deliver the scheme. They were on site each day, making sure the work was planned, briefed and managed to the highest standards of safety and quality. We mobilised to site and works commenced on the 4th of October.

In the 38 days, Lagan were able to engage Powerplane to remove 11,000t of planings which were all reused or recycled locally, Brooking Hire utilised their state of the art beam sweeper to  clean the planed  surface in preparation to receive the Tensar grid which was placed by FCL North. Breedon Asphalt supplied all the Marshall material from Furnace Quarry, 11,000t was hauled down the A83 by Rory J Holbrook, with support on rest days by McFadyen’s and Fox Brothers. The bondcoat was sprayed by FCL North, and the asphalt was laid by T Brady Surfacing Contractor’s. Jointline undertook the grooving and line marking. Lagan Aviation and Infrastructure completed all testing of asphalt on site with their in-house UKAS accredited Lab. Lagan Aviation and Infrastructure completed all civils works with labour provided by AUM Construction and concrete from Kinloch. Precision ATM placed the signs and relocated the APAPI’s. LAML undertook all saw cutting, sealing and pavement maintenance works including stabilising cores which was a design change for the AGL system. We handed over at 15:00 on Wednesday 10th November, on time for the first flight to touch down on the morning of the 11th November, as planned.

BDPSP and Lagan would like to say a big thank you to the airport team and the local community in Campbeltown, who were incredibly supportive of the project throughout.

Project Wins

• Successfully delivered the project on time despite ever-changing weather conditions.

• Offered a unique learning opportunity for local students

• 100% of waste planings were able to be reused in the local community by farmers, business parks, and the airport.