The A2041 Harrow Manorway Road provides a vital gateway between, South Thamesmead, Eastern Way A2016 and Abbey Wood, and is a useful link to both the newly constructed Abbey Wood Crossrail End Terminal Station and the nearby Peabody Housing development of 1700 new homes.
Through this scheme, the existing single carriageway has been increased to a boulevard, encouraging active travel and providing a safer journey for all road users. The new corridor successfully eased existing congestion by accommodating alternative forms of transport, whilst also enhancing the streetscape to encourage future growth in the area, in line with the Local Councils Local Implementation Plan.
Our specialists worked with the London Borough of Bexley to develop the agreed corridor design, which includes continuous stepped cycleways, wide footways and wide toucan crossings, two dedicated bus lanes and attractive ornamental landscaping.
This important link is located above a dense network of utilities and fibre optic cabinets, which needed major alterations to accommodate the widening of the existing road. Our team liaised with utilities companies at the first opportunity once the initial design was agreed, preventing costly delays and amending the design to avoid affecting utilities wherever possible. We continued to manage consultation with utilities companies throughout the design and construction phases.
Elsewhere in the design, we encountered existing Environment Agency culverts beneath the existing carriageway which had no previous records. Our specialists carried out inspections and assessments on these assets, allowing the highway works to continue. We also developed the drainage design across this challenging, low-lying, flat site, and our experts undertook the ‘Supervision in Chief’ role throughout the construction of the scheme, providing engineering guidance for any unforeseen issues. In addition, our team provided cost saving alternatives to the Landscape Architects’ original design and provided a robust granite paving construction design to receive the high volume of HGV’s and PSV traffic.
In order to coordinate the works in this busy area and reduce unnecessary disruption, we managed the adjoining schemes for Abbey Wood Flyover, Gayton Road, Felixstowe Road public realm scheme and Yarnton Way, allowing for continuity of design palates and detailing. This enabled the Council to deliver on budget and programme in conjunction with the opening of the Abbey Wood Crossrail Station, whilst also helping to facilitate the sale of the first properties at the Peabody Development.
Client: London Borough of Bexley
