Super sustainability signposted by award

The assessment, carried out over several years, highlighted positive aspects relating to both projects.

Two major city centre Metrolink projects have been rated as excellent in a thorough assessment of their sustainability.

The assessment, carried out over several years, highlighted positive aspects relating to both projects.

2CC was praised for retaining and reusing materials wherever possible, creating a carbon calculator to assess the embodied carbon of materials and using acoustic fencing and blankets around the excavation areas as well as a separate cutting area to minimise noise.

The relocation of historical artefacts – the cross and the cenotaph at St Peter’s Square – were also highlighted along with the implementation of numerous traffic-free zones.

Meanwhile, Deansgate-Castlefield was scored highly for the efforts made to improve user enjoyment at the stop, which included the high level of attention paid to staircase detail and the development of the green wall.

The introduction of ecological landscaping that incorporates facilities for wildlife such as nesting birds, foraging bats and insect species within the highly urban form was also praised by assessors.

The certificates were presented to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and contractor M-PACT Thales (MPT) by Chair of UK Tram James Hamnett at the UK Light Rail Conference.

TfGM Head of Operations, Alex Cropper, said: “I am delighted with this accreditation which really reinforces our commitment to environmental, ecological and social considerations during the development of major infrastructure.

“The challenges faced by both projects in respect of their busy and historically significant city centre locations mark this achievement as not only something to be proud of, but also something to set the benchmark for future construction.

“A lot of solutions required were particularly innovative and executed in a timely fashion following consultation with our construction partners as well as authorities, businesses and members of the public.”

The fifth platform on Deansgate-Castlefield project was completed in December 2014 with the living wall added in 2015.

The 2CC opened in February 2017.

The areas covered in the CEEQUAL assessment are Project Strategy, Project Management, People and Communities, Land Use and Landscape, Historic Environment, Ecology and Biodiversity, Water Environment, Physical Resources use and management, and Transport. 

Adopting the assessment scheme can provide multiple benefits to construction projects, including cost savings, waste minimalisation, resource efficiency, reduction of complaints, improved public relations and a greater awareness of social responsibility.

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