New runway at MOD St Athan fully operational with the help of CEMEX UK

• 
• 22nd April 2009
• Materials Handling
 

31st March 2009:  A £2.6 million contract to resurface and re-profile the main runway, aprons and taxiways at the Ministry of Defence St Athan site, near Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan, has been completed by a collaboration of Carillion Infrastructure (part of Carillion Enterprise Ltd) and CEMEX UK Construction Services.

The upgrading work, including strengthening and reprofiling of the main 1825 metre runway, involved approximately 25,000 tonnes of materials ranging from 6mm to 32mm with 93,750 sq metres of Marshall Asphalt Surface Course, a high specification and performance asphalt.  The work is expected to extend the life of the asset for the next 25 years.

"A key element of the contract was the local sourcing of the aggregates suitable to produce material to the required specification thus saving on transportation, both cost and environmentally. The majority of the aggregates were sourced from CEMEX's Wenvoe Quarry with asphalt production from Wenvoe and Forest Wood Coating Plants," comments Craig Williamson, Director CEMEX Construction Services.

"In addition, vehicle movements from the plants to the site were reduced by careful planning and using large capacity vehicles.  Early trials of the bituminous materials, which were subject to a stringent design, took place at Forest Wood, again saving on transportation. All these measures reduce the environmental impact of the contract," concludes Craig Williamson.

The runway on the former MOD base and working aerodrome is a vital component of the Welsh Assembly Government's plans to develop an aerospace business park in Wales.  The site is operated as a Government Aerodrome under military regulations and managed by the Ministry of Defence.

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