The Thamesway Fastrack project on track: a graduate civil engineer climbs the career ladder

The Thamesway Fastrack project involved widening a 2km section of single carriageway road to incorporate a dedicated bus lane in both directions. This was part of a network of bus-lanes and dedicated bus roads being introduced to Kent’s Thameside area to link population centres with recreational areas, shopping centres, hospitals and industrial parks. The routes link into the local train network and the new high speed railway station at Ebbsfleet International, and are planned to join up to housing developments around the Ebbsfleet Valley. The project was commissioned by Kent County Council and is worth £7 million.

New responsibilities

I saw the project through from initial site set-up and construction to hand-over and site dismantling. This involved new drainage, new services, diversion of existing services, full-depth road construction and resurfacing existing carriageway. My responsibilities were effectively those of a section engineer: I set out for earthworks, drainage, services, carriageways and footways. I was responsible for procuring materials as well as managing and sequencing the works on a day-to-day basis. I also ensured the sequence of work was logical and did not incur unnecessary damage to completed work.

A project in three stages

The first section was built on an old landfill site and was compacted with a triangular roller: this high energy impact compaction saved time, materials and money. The second section involved the construction of retaining walls to support earth embankments. The third entailed the cutting of unsupported earth batters, and the fourth and final section demanded cutting through a steep-sided chalk cutting.

On a typical day I would set out the section of work to be done over the next few days and ensure proper construction. I collaborated with the works manager and sub-agent to ensure labour, plant, subcontractors and material were in place for the next phase. Outside the team I worked with the buying department at head office to set up orders for materials, and with suppliers to solve problems and plan deliveries. My working hours varied considerably with long Saturdays and night work during the busy periods, and short days in the quiet times and when there was less daylight.

A bump in the road

I found the night-time resurfacing work a challenge but as it is something the public sees it was worthwhile. The main low occurred early on when a water main diversion had to be lowered as it interfered with the road construction. The incident taught me to delegate better, especially when a task prevents me from doing a job specific to an engineer. The highlight was seeing the project through from pre-start to finish: there is an immense satisfaction when you hand over something that you have built.

Career milestones

• During university: Three summer placements with Fitzpatrick: two on projects in London and one at head office.
• On starting his graduate job: Site engineer on a joint civil and building project constructing a large warehouse in Dartford.
• Six months later: Appointed section engineer on the Fastrack project.

David Willey is a graduate engineer at Fitzpatrick Contractors Ltd, taking the role of a section engineer on this project. He graduated with an MEng civil engineering from Imperial College, London, and has been working at his company for two years.