Member Article

Jones Bros on track with renewables development in Cambridgeshire

A leading civil engineering firm is on schedule to deliver a renewables development in Cambridgeshire.

Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK was appointed principal contractor at Common Barn Wind Farm, managing the design and build of three 125m high (tip height) turbines.

The £2.2 million contract started in January, with archaeological digs taking place on site per the associated planning conditions. Jones Bros scheduled archaeological excavations in four distinct areas in order to avoid programme delays.

Each turbine base consisted of 340m3 of concrete and 45 tonnes of steel. Additional stone upfill was required under each foundation in order to achieve required ground bearing pressure.

Throughout the main works, there was an average team of 10 on site included Jones Bros’ own in-house stabilisation experts, who constructed and stabilised 2.7km of access track, reducing the project’s carbon footprint by eliminating the need for additional vehicles on site.

Per the site planning conditions the Ruthin-headquartered company also upgraded a site entrance off the A1 for HGV access, avoiding HGV traffic from travelling through nearby village Southoe.

Jones Bros also engaged with the local community, including facilitating a site tour for the local parish council, which is receiving a £15,000 per year community fund from the wind farm. The community fund becomes effective upon completion (including wind turbine commissioning) of the site, which is expected to be during the first quarter of 2019.

Site agent Geraint Lloyd said: We’re pleased to be on time and to budget, having used our flexible scheduling and expertise to avoid any delays for the client.

“The project has had its challenges, which has been a good experience for two recently graduated apprentices and one current apprentice who are on site working with us.

“The main aspect of the job is now complete with the turbines to be erected in January 2019, and we have also backfilled areas dug out on site, carried out cabling, and completed work on the control building.”

The wind farm was originally developed by Common Barn Wind Farm Ltd’s parent company, TCI Renewables Limited.

Jones Bros was founded in the 1950s and now employs 360 people.

The company’s aim is to continue to achieve steady growth rates and deliver success for the long term.

As well as renewable energy, the company is currently working on contracts in various sectors including highways, flood and marine defence, and waste management projects around the UK.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .