NRP, National Road Planing in a busy city centre to aid social distancing during COVID-19 pandemic

As part of the control measure to aid social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cardiff City Council announced that road closures would be implemented to provide more space for local businesses, pedestrians and cyclists. 

The decision was made to close Castle Street and Mill Lane to all traffic from 12 Noon on Sunday, June 21st until further notice. 

The closure would enable the erection of a covered, outdoor seating area, to support the provision of outdoor space for local restaurants and cafes on Castle Street. 

Originally Cardiff CC were going to patch the worst areas and apply road marking/ stickers to the surface to improve the appearance for the eating area. However, after consultation with the Highways team, the decision was taken to resurface this section of carriageway. 

Consideration had to be given to our own controls and COVID-19 working guidance including welfare, close proximity working and the safety of our employees and delivery team.

The agreed area on site equated to 2600m² with 40mm of old SMA being planed out.

NRP rearranged the works programme to provide a 2m planer for removal of the old surface. Use of the planer provided the optimum milling performance and low fuel consumption.  It also ensured minimal disruption to people in the area. The increase in cycle and pedestrian activity in the area was identified as a high risk. To minimise the exposure to uneven surfaces produced by these works we had to plane out and relay in excess of 250t in the same day.  

Worked commenced at 8am. Planing, carried out by NRP with a 2m planer, was complete by 12 midday. All planings were transported off site and stockpiled for future use in recycling. 

All works were completed as scheduled. Cardiff City Council expressed thanks for high quality and quick response to the delivery of the scheme.