Case Study: Magpie Walk    £1,400,000

Project Outline

Magpie Walk in Wecock Farm, Hampshire was a planned maintenance site contract for Portsmouth City Council, which Comserv originally began work on at the end of February 2020. The first scaffold was erected and initial works started but then three weeks into the project, lockdown was imposed due to the Covid-19 Pandemic and we were forced to dismantle the site.

The project was mothballed until June 2020 when a new plan was produced to incorporate the new risk assessments (incorporating Covid-19 measures), loss and expense of additional time and work recommenced on 6 July 2020.

Led by our Contracts Manager, and overseen by a Site Manager, this was a large-scale maintenance project.

Comserv were able to achieve delivery of this project due to the effort of all the Comserv project team involved, also with the close working relationship we have with the trusted supply chain on this project. Without their understanding and cooperation during some difficult times throughout the programme would have proved challenging.

Every project is different and unique. We were challenged with having to manage and implement the processes for a Covid -secure site with working practices to keep the workforce and the residents safe. Due to this unforeseen situation and a project specification which was always being modified, it challenged the Comserv project team and our partnered supply chain, however the results were fantastic and we are proud of the end product that was handed over to the customer. We successfully maintained a Covid-free project, also satisfying the customer with our service and flexibility and management decisions to many other specification changes to designs throughout the project.

Residents remained in situ for the duration of the works so plans to work around the residents with minimum disruption were required from the outset. Residents amenities and facilities were to remain in full working order throughout the works. In addition, our team have to ensure that at least one existing staircase per block remains fully operational at all times during the works ensuring an alternative means of escape in the event of a fire.

Project Works

Magpie Walk consists of five blocks, two and three stories high totalling 79 homes of which 14 are maisonettes and 65 are flats. All were originally constructed in 1974-75 in traditional brick and block cavity construction.

Comserv planned works to take place in phases block by block to minimise disruption to residents.

The work on this project included:

•    New roof and gutterings, external cleaning on each block
•    Replacement balcony panels and signage
•    Installation of replacement front and shed doors
•    New galvanized and wooden fencing around blocks and gardens
•    Fire retardant paint and electrical upgrades in stairwells and communal areas
•    Asphalt renewal to walkways and balconies
•    Repointing, cleaning and repairs to brickwork