Birmingham Interchange, UK

CCS Scaffolding Ltd are proud to be supporting Sian Formwork on the Balfour Beatty Vinci Joint Venture in the delivery of HS2’s Sublot 5 and S6 projects, a technically complex section of works forming part of the Birmingham Interchange infrastructure. This sublot includes a significant four-span composite station bridge, constructed over a newly diverted waterway and approximately 250 metres of large reinforced concrete retaining walls, all critical in supporting future transport links to the new high-speed station.

Our involvement on this project has centred on the design, supply and management of all access scaffolding requirements to support reinforced concrete works and bridge construction activities. Working collaboratively with Sian Formwork and the BBVJV team, CCS Scaffolding have played an integral role in enabling safe, efficient and continuous access to key work areas throughout the build sequence including pier construction, deck operations and complex retaining wall formwork.

With the changing nature of site deliverables and evolving construction methodologies, our team has been embedded into the planning and design process from early stages, allowing us to develop robust scaffold access solutions aligned with the project programme, material logistics and lifting operations.

· Bridge Access Scaffolding: Provision of safe scaffold access for formwork, reinforcement and concreting of the four-span composite bridge. Access included pier and abutment platforms, soffit and deck level scaffolds and edge protection systems.

· Retaining Wall Access: Custom scaffold systems installed to support the construction of 250m of large RC retaining walls enabling steel fixing, shuttering and pour activities across varying heights and ground conditions.

· Temporary Works Coordination: Integration of scaffold designs with overall temporary works strategy including CAT II and CAT III checks, working closely with the site teams to ensure alignment with site planning and programme needs.

· Lifting Interface Support: Scaffold access designed in conjunction with lifting operations for structural components ensuring safe clearance, working areas and access around high risk activities.

· Design Collaboration: Early engagement with engineers and planners to produce access strategies that evolved in step with site changes helping to de-risk construction sequencing and reduce delays.

We have been actively engaged in providing scaffold access solutions across multiple work fronts on Sublot 5 and S6 supporting the construction of the station bridge and reinforced concrete retaining walls. Working over complex and evolving environments including a newly diverted watercourse has required careful coordination and flexible delivery. The nature of this infrastructure package continues to demand a high level of planning, technical capability and collaboration, all of which CCS Scaffolding are proud to deliver as a trusted access partner to Sian Formwork.

Challenges:

· Aligning scaffold operations with critical-path lifting activities and congested work zones.

· Rapidly adapting scaffold designs to programme changes and new interface requirements.

Successes:

· Seamless delivery of scaffold access across a technically demanding and evolving site.

· Zero incidents, with all works completed under strict compliance and safety control.