Construction companies working in London are being urged to get “Games ready” now if they want to operate business as usual during the 2012 Olympics, says Transport for London.
TFL said: “For firms that need to move around the city, or rely on deliveries and freight, you need to make sure that both you and your business are Games-ready”. It has urged building companies to re-route and retime deliveries, and consider relocating senior managers if their normal base will be impacted by the Games.
TfL has produced a case study with contractor 8build which is undertaking fit-out, refurbishment and new build construction projects, throughout London and the South East. The company plans to operate ‘business as usual’ across its construction projects during the Games, with minimal disruption to site activities and production.
However, in order for the company to continue with its projects, it has:
Reduced and re-routed deliveries – every 8build site will have a tailored delivery schedule which will be prepared following detailed discussions with the suppliers for each project. All deliveries will be programmed around temporary changes to the road network. Deliveries will be kept to a minimum, with the possibility of multi-site drops in the same day to reduce the number of trips required.
Retimed work hours including varying the site working hours at these locations to 0600 to 1400 and retiming waste collection. 8build has put in a contingency plan should its usual waste contractor – based in Stratford – be unable to service the sites.
Meanwhile, 8build’s financial and engineering managers may be located at another project office less impacted by Games-time disruption. “ All of 8build’s head office staff will be able to work from home should the need arise during the Games, “ said the company.
Contractors can identify which sites might be adversely affected by Games congestion by looking at the dedicated website, www.getaheadofthegames.com, which has a section for businesses.
But if contractors decide to retime deliveries for early mornings, it advises that they should follows the TfL Code of Practice for on noise disruption.
