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Roadworks litter pick: bridging the gap between business and social value

Construction
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Bridge Construction Ltd downed tools for the day on its latest Sandwell project on the A461 to undertake a litter pick.

The team from Bridge Construction Ltd joined forces with our Sandwell Council team to pick up litter along the route of the works taking place on the A461 from Great Bridge to Peake Drive, Tipton. The litter pick formed just part of the company’s social value commitment. 

The fifteen-strong team of helpers collected around 25 bin bags of rubbish along the 2.5km of footway on either side of the scheme. Local residents and business owners alike welcomed the initiative.

Civil engineering meets social value

Bridge Construction Ltd is a Midlands-based construction company with a passion for civil engineering. The company has been a contractor on the West Midlands Minor Works Framework for Sandwell and other local authorities in the Black Country for many years.  

Its projects range from the simplest to the most complex and technically challenging, from £10k to £2m+. Some of the schemes it has worked on include the access road and car park at Dudley Zoo, and Wednesbury High Street.

Sandwell Council has a strong social value agenda and, as Bridge Construction is equally keen to give back to its local communities, the litter pick seemed like the perfect opportunity to do just that.

Good weather, great job

Senior engineer manager for Sandwell Council Steve Scrivens said: “Bridge Construction Ltd is commissioned to work on the ongoing Active Travel Fund project on the A461. The company kindly agreed to suspend their works and undertake a litter pick of the entire length of the works as part of their social value commitment.

People wearing high vis PPE clothing picking up litter on a road with brown brick buildings on the right.

“The litter pick went really well. There were about fifteen of us and we accumulated quite a few black bags on that Friday afternoon. Thanks to the good weather and a great job accomplished by all.”

Richard Lewis, commercial director of Bridge Construction said: “The day went well. There were 15 helpers from both Bridge Construction and Sandwell Council to help. With over 25 bags of rubbish collected. 

“We are looking to help a Sandwell school with erecting fencing next. I’m also happy to have further discussions with the social value team on how we can assist the local community with other social value projects in the future.

“Thank you to the Sandwell Highways team for their great support in getting the works done. And thank you to the Social Value Team for supporting all our community activities.”

Well done to everyone involved! 

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