The contractor delivering a flagship £19m project for Somerset County Council has scored top marks in a national initiative aimed at ensuring  safe, clean, and considerate working.

Alun Griffiths, which is delivering Taunton’s M5 Junction 25 improvements, scored 43 out of a possible 50 in the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) and was awarded a certificate of excellence.

The project, funded by the Heart of the South West LEP, Highways England and Somerset West and Taunton has also been crowned Project of the Year  in the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transport Awards 2021 (CIHT), as well as netting the CIHT Collaboration Award for excellent partnership work.

The CCS scheme is marked in five categories judging the contractor’s level of care given to:  appearance; respect for the community; protecting the environment, safety, valuing the workforce.

Alun Griffiths scored top marks (9/9) in three of the categories – protecting the environment, safety and appearance and 8/9 in the remaining two categories.

Judges can award up to an extra of five bonus points taking the possible total up to 50.

The team were commended for their work engaging with the wider community and protection of the environment, as well as being a “shining example of best safety practice”.

Somerset County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Cllr John Woodman said: “The team at Alun Griffiths has done a fantastic job so far in delivering the project on time and on budget – and they remain firmly on schedule to achieve this.

“They fully deserve these plaudits for achieving excellence as a contractor across the board, and we’re delighted to be working with the team not just on this key project but on a number of other important schemes in the county.”

Alun Griffiths Pre-Construction Director Simon Dunn added: “I’m incredibly proud of the team for this achievement. The judges recognised this has been a really challenging time and to achieve so highly in all categories while delivering to schedule has been hugely satisfying.”

“We look forward to continuing our successful partnership with Somerset County Council.”

Junction 25 of the M5 is vitally important to Somerset’s economic future. The project aims to ease congestion and improve access to Taunton and the motorway, as well as providing safer cycling and walking routes into the town. The scheme is part of a major infrastructure plan to support growth in employment and housing development in Taunton.

For more information on roadworks, live traffic and major projects visit www.travelsomerset.co.uk  and follow @TravelSomerset on Twitter or visit us on Facebook.

Submitted by Communications