London Southend Airport (LSA) is an award-winning airport to the East of London, owned by Esken and directly linked to  London via rail and road links. The airport  launched a project to resurface the 2000m runway in April 2019 as part of development plans

BDPSP were engaged by LSA to deliver the role of NEC3 Works Supervisor. Pre-construction activities in this role included review of tender submissions, assessment of tender interviews, selection of successful contractor, and heavy involvement in general health and safety on site.  BDPSP worked closely with LSA and their designer, Burroughs, to develop and implement a design which would enable the runway overlay to be completed whilst ensuring a safe opening each day for aircraft to continue to operate.

BDPSP worked on site during construction and led the night shift team for LSA. Organisation of the team each night was important, understanding what the Contractor, Lagan, wanted to achieve and communicating this between the different stakeholders. Each night, a briefing was undertaken with LSA operations and LSA maintenance to confirm the planned works, timings of flights, weather, and times for completion inspections for safe hand back. BDPSP worked on behalf of LSA to review other subcontractors activities, including planing, resurfacing, and friction testing. At 06:00 each shift, a full runway check was completed, along with lighting check and safe hand-back for the runway to reopen for the 06:30 departure.

BDPSP worked with LSA to meet the required completion date, with quality checks of work completed as the project progressed, enabling a simple snag list to be developed which was closed out on completion. BDPSP were able to assist LSA with a Tier 3 pavement inspection for the rest of the airport adding value to the Client. BDPSP reviewed the As Built data issued for the project to enable final sign off. Finally, BDPSP were able to return to LSA 12 months after completion, to assist in pavement inspections and retention payment sign off at the end of the defect liability period. The project was completed on time, with zero lost time incidents ready to welcome Ryanair as they commenced their base operations at London Southend Airport in 2019.

Project Wins

• Worked co-operatively with LSA to ensure the site was safe for handback after each night shift.

• Added value to the client by offering Tier 3 Inspection services

• Successfully completed the project on time enabling LSA to expand their operations.

“Brandi joined our Runway Rehabilitation Project just prior to tender stage, having been highly recommended by an ex colleague. Brandi took on the role as Clerk of the Works during the construction phase of the project but prior to the works starting on site, supported us through the detailed design, tender process and preparation for the works including leading on the HazID / HazOP assessments.

The works at Southend were carried out at night under full runway closures. Brandi followed the same shift pattern as Lagan (successful contractor) and effectively coordinated the works each night on our behalf, managing safety, briefing the operational teams and ensuring high quality of work was maintained. Brandi submitted a detailed report at the end of each shift to allow us to easily track progress as well as planning to get the most from the next shift of works.

The Southend project was carried out during the winter months and had a very challenging timescale, Brandi worked with us, our Client Representatives and Lagan to ensure the programme of works was as flexible and efficient as possible to ensure our target completion date was met.

Brandi has a great depth of knowledge but is also extremely approachable. She was able to work with the construction team from Lagan with ease and gave us complete peace of mind from very early on in the project.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Brandi and would definitely want her involvement in future projects at Southend.”

Sam Petrie
Airport Development Co-ordinator
Southend Airport