McCann delivers strategic A5 Longshoot infrastructure safely connecting 850 homes to the wider Midlands
Working for Taylor Wimpey as Principal Contractor, McCann was chosen to deliver crucial works on the A5 Longshoot infrastructure in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. The project scope involved complete Section 278 works widening and installing a signalised 4-way Junction on the A5 to facilitate access to the new Taylor Wimpey Meadow Green housing development and the adjacent farm. This enhanced section of the A5 connects over 850 new homes (350 of which are built by Taylor Wimpey), allotment areas, a future primary school and a local community centre to the A5, providing connectivity to the wider Midlands.
The works have been designed to improve access and increase pedestrian safety to the new build development through the creation of a new signalised 4-way junction, slip roads and new pedestrian crossings. Working in collaboration with Taylor Wimpey, the client’s designers and Project Manager, and National Highways, we have completed our scope of work, including:
- Drainage: 686m of drainage, 8 pre-cast concrete catchpits, 35 cast-in-situ UPVC trapped gullies, 2 sandbag headwalls and 17 ditch outlets.
- Earthworks: Excavation of 5298m3 of material, topsoiling 1600m2, 1929m3 Fill materials, 5512m2 sub-formation on materials, and 6817m2 formation on materials.
- Pavements: Installation of 827m3 type 1 sub-base, 4,699m2 base course, 9342m2 binder course and 9342m2 surface course.
- Kerbs, Footways and Paved Areas: 622m combined kerb drainage and pre-cast concrete kerbs, 780m pre-cast concrete edging,12 kerb drainage access and gully units, 1216m2 footway/cycleway sub-base, 152m2 buff blister tactile and grass guard paving.
- Traffic Signs and Road Markings: 31 traffic signs, 6 bollards, permanent traffic signal installation, 493m of associated ducting, and road markings installation.
- Lighting Columns and Associated Electrical Works: 24 lighting columns,15 existing lighting column upgrades, 2 feeder pillars, all associated street lighting cabling, ducting, jointing and terminations, including the DNO connections to feeder pillars.
- Additional works: Diversion of water mains, 500m trenching and backfill for Western Power Distribution diversions 500m 2-way ducting for virgin media, 42m pedestrian guardrails, 539m timber rail and fencing.
Maintaining the two-way traffic flow throughout the A5 Longshoot project
During the project’s duration, four phased moves of high-level traffic management were required to maintain access to the footpath, farm, and housing estate, while ensuring smooth traffic flow on both sides of the A5. This was achieved while keeping our teams safe on site and allowing the project to progress on schedule.
Working closely with the traffic management company, Beaumont Traffic Management, our teams managed to maintain the two-way flow of traffic on the route and a 50 MPH speed limit. This eliminated the need for a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TFRO), which saved us three months across the works delivery programme.
All operations were carried out under rigorous safety standards, including weekly inspections by National Highways and internal McCann audits. Key measures included:
- Zero RIDDOR incidents reported across the project lifecycle.
- Always maintaining pedestrian footpath access.
- Segregating work areas effectively from live traffic.
- Providing direct site access for emergency and agricultural traffic.
Our on-site safety record was exemplary, supported by daily briefings, behavioural safety reinforcement, and visible leadership from our site management team.
Utilising sustainability in construction
Early in the contract, our site compound was outfitted with large solar panel arrays and power storage to mitigate our reliance on a generator. The project to date has achieved average fuel and emissions savings equivalent to over 222,000kg of CO2e. We have achieved circa 34% of our site days generator-free; days that have seen generator use have seen an average of only 3.46 hours of run time.
We helped to save passive emissions incurred by the scheme through our traffic management, which maintained the two-way flow of traffic on the route, minimising congestion and vehicle idling on the road while we worked.
Going above and beyond
McCann’s Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) and agile approach to programme management were crucial. We recognised that the designs were based on outdated surveys, so we decided to conduct trial holes and ultimately utilised our operatives’ skills to handle water and BT diversions ourselves. This allowed us to accelerate the programme, reducing an 18-week lead time to just six weeks. By designing the diversion to coincide with the back verge we minimised downtime and reprogrammed our tasks to remain flexible and agile.
Originally, it was envisioned that McCann would need to replace a culvert running north to south across the A5. Using CCTV, we inspected the pipe and found it to be still in good condition. Instead of ripping out and relaying it, we have extended from the existing pipe and lined it instead. This approach has resulted in improved sustainability efficiencies through reduced plant usage, decreased material consumption, and the elimination of extensive excavation needs.
By capitalising on the existing infrastructure, we have simplified the overall project delivery and created greater certainty for the client and key stakeholders.
Strong collaboration drives project success
McCann engaged a collaborative, integrated supply chain to deliver this scheme efficiently. The project required a considerable amount of liaison, planning and commitment from our site team and wider supply chain, from interfacing with several stakeholders to coordinating progress meetings and technical queries.
Our role as Principal Contractor meant supporting Taylor Wimpey in their stakeholder management and communications, including working closely with a local farmer whose land is crucial for our site access and storage, whilst always maintaining the farmer’s access.
Due to the works being an adoptable road, which will be handed over to National Highways upon completion, our site team have accommodated inspections and conducted monthly progress meetings throughout the works. We ensured that these monthly meetings were held face-to-face on site, allowing the whole project team to ‘walk and talk’ as discussions took place.
From surfacing to traffic management, our supply chain utilised for this project has been adaptable to emerging changes, collaborative in meetings, and focused on best practices that prioritise sustainability, the environment, and quality.
“The A5 Longshoot project was a vital component of Taylor Wimpey’s Meadow Green development, unlocking access to the A5 corridor and local amenities. Appointed Principal Contractor, McCann delivered the scheme with a spirit of true collaboration, working seamlessly with Taylor Wimpey, National Highways, and local stakeholders to navigate complex challenges and ensure that progress was maintained. Their professionalism, agility, and unwavering commitment to partnership created a positive and productive environment throughout.
The outcome is a meticulously engineered junction that now serves over 850 homes, providing critical connectivity to local amenities and future development phases. We are proud to have partnered with McCann on this transformative project” Jack McCallum, Engineering Manager, Taylor Wimpey
The A5 Longshoot project stands as a testament to McCann’s ability to deliver complex infrastructure with precision, innovation, and care. Despite significant challenges, we completed the scheme safely, on time, and within budget, enhancing connectivity for a growing community while prioritising sustainability and collaboration.
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