Groundworks & Civil Engineering Case Study: Section 278 Highway & Drainage Works
Client: Unite Construction
Location: Summerbridge, North Yorkshire
Contractor: Durkan & Sons Ltd – Groundworks & Civil Engineering
Project Overview
Durkan & Sons Ltd were appointed to deliver critical Section 278 highway and drainage works as part of a new development in Summerbridge, North Yorkshire. The scheme required specialist expertise to ensure all highway works, drainage connections, and external site improvements were completed to local authority adoptable standards, enabling safe access and long-term performance.
Scope of Works
Our works package included:
- Traffic Management & Permitting
Full management of road safety, traffic flow, and coordination of all statutory permissions, licenses (S106/S50), and inspections. - Highway Excavations
Breaking out and disposal of existing concrete kerbs, macadam/asphalt surfaces, and sub-bases beyond the site boundary. - Reduced Level Excavations
Cut and fill to achieve formation levels, including site-won and imported materials, and safe disposal of excavated arisings. - Installation of New Kerbs, Edgings & Transitions
Supply and lay of precast concrete kerbs (HB2, radiused/dropped/transition units) and flat-top edgings to defined alignments. - Adoptable Drainage Works
Installation of vitrified clay drainage runs (150mm diameter), granular bedding, and construction of 1200mm diameter precast concrete manholes, complete with D400 covers/frames. - Reinstatement Works
Construction of new macadam/asphalt carriageways, footpaths, and tie-in details, built up in layers to full specification thicknesses, including hot bitumen sealing to interfaces. - Road Markings & Finishing
Application of thermoplastic road markings as per design, ensuring all elements meet local authority adoption and highways standards. - Quality, Safety & Environmental Management
All works delivered under strict compliance with ISO 9001:2000, current Health & Safety and Environmental Legislation, with robust risk assessments and traffic safety plans in place throughout.
Specialist Drainage Components Supplied & Installed
- Hydro-Brake Flow Control & Penstock Installation:
Supplied and installed a Hydro-Brake Optimum flow control device with a pivoting bypass door restriction, paired with a robust 150mm penstock valve with rising rod. This system delivers engineered stormwater management, enables secure isolation and control within the drainage network, and ensures full compliance with site-specific drainage requirements.
Project Procurement & Materials Summary
Durkan & Sons Ltd managed the procurement, supply, and installation of over 21,000 units of materials, components, and plant to deliver the scheme safely and to programme, including:
- Heavy plant: excavators, dumpers, rollers, fuel bowsers, attachments
- Drainage and utilities: vitrified clay pipes, manhole rings, gullies, ducting, valves
- Kerbs, edgings, and paving: HB2/BN3 kerbs, drop kerbs, flat-top edgings, block and flag paving
- Aggregates and concrete: Type 1/6F5, ready-mix and specialist screeds
- General site and safety: fencing, fixings, PPE, site welfare, and haulage
Key Project Features
- Works delivered to adoptable standards, fully certified for local authority sign-off
- Comprehensive traffic management, ensuring public and workforce safety
- All drainage works tested and commissioned prior to handover
- Meticulous reinstatement of highways, footpaths, and external areas
- Robust site supervision, quality control, and environmental compliance throughout
Results
Durkan & Sons Ltd successfully delivered all Section 278 and drainage works to programme and within budget. The project enabled safe, adoptable access to the development and delivered robust infrastructure with zero reportable incidents.
Get in Touch
To discuss your next groundworks, drainage, or S278 highways project, contact Durkan & Sons Ltd today:
Kellington, North Yorkshire (DN14)
www.durkans.co.uk
0113 252 8044
