Solar panels spanning the Thames: two graduates work on Blackfriars station
About the project
The Blackfriars project is central to improving journeys and easing travel congestion for passengers on the increasingly busy Thameslink route. The Victorian rail bridge (circa 1886) will be completely overhauled. It will be widened and strengthened to take longer trains and the platforms – enclosed by a roof that will use photovoltaic cells – will span the Thames. A new tube and rail station will be built on the north bank, and a new station entrance on the south.
Blackfriars remains a working station throughout the project, making the safety of the team and the public paramount. The east side of the bridge deck is being developed first, allowing trains to run on the west side, and then the situation will be reversed. The logistics of working over the river brings its own type of challenges and safety precautions too, including a lifeboat on 24-hour call.
Nick Sammons explains his job on the bridge construction team
I began my graduate career with Balfour Beatty by working on a project on the East London Line; just before it finished I asked my recruitment and development manager whether I could move to Blackfriars. There was a suitable vacancy and I joined the pier extension wing of the bridge construction team almost a year ago.
Working against the tide
The piers are the concrete supports to the arches of the bridge. We’ve just demolished the eastern side of the piers and re-built them 1.6m wider. We had to lower in pre-cast units to ensure everything remained above high water-level, position them and seal them in just five hours while the tide was out. The pressure was on but everyone was determined to get the job done.
‘My first project was all about learning how a construction site worked. On this project, I’ve learned much more about communication and management.’
As a site engineer, I ensure that areas of the site are constructed to the design specifications, identify problems and implement solutions that I’ve discussed with the civil engineers who have designed the pier. Furthermore, I am also an interface between subcontractors and those in the office, and I need to use different communication skills accordingly. Not all communication is verbal. For example, I sometimes rely on drawings to get my point across.
Work and play
My first project was all about learning how a construction site worked. On this project, I’ve learned much more about communication and management. My core hours are 8.00 am to 6.00 pm and I have a commute of 40 minutes. This project is in an amazing location and has an incredible social life; we often meet up after work.
Nick Sammons is a site engineer at Balfour Beatty. Having graduated with an MEng civil in engineering from the University of Nottingham, he is now two years into his career.
Section engineer Lizzie Featherstone tells all about working on the Thames
I was promoted to section engineer from site engineer when I started this project. I had an interview with my line manager beforehand, which focused on what I’d learned since graduating, my strengths and what I’d gain from working on the project.
Building confidence in my job
I work on the south side of the river and my team comprise a site agent, subagent, me, two site engineers and a work experience student. My role is to manage the site engineers, student and subcontractors, ensuring we do everything according to the programme (the schedule). As part of this I encourage the student in his studies and his future career.
'Working on the Thames, you can see all the way to Tower Bridge and the London Eye so I have great views as I work.'
As well as carrying out tasks similar to Nick’s in checking work, identifying problems and finding solutions, I draw up a basic four-week programme that fits into the overall site programme and work with QSs to draft subcontractor work instructions.
I enjoy the increased responsibility in my job. I’ve grown more confident since I was a graduate – where before I might have shied away, I now patiently persuade people around to my point of view. I also like the problem solving; it’s great to implement a solution and see the project benefit.
Thames life
Working on the Thames, you can see all the way to Tower Bridge and the London Eye so I have great views as I work. I always get excited when the Thames comes on TV and I see ‘my bridge’. It’s a cliché to say that the best thing about working in construction is being able to say ‘I built that’ but it’s a cliché because
it’s true.
Lizzie Featherstone graduated from Durham University with an MEng in engineering (civils). Now in the third year of her career, she has been promoted and oversees site engineers like Nick.
Read about the jobs of quantity surveyors on the Blackfriars project