Due to historic drainage issues at the airport, we were commissioned to carry out surface treatment and drainage works by Highlands and Islands Airport Limited (HIAL) via the SCAPE Scotland Civil Engineering framework.
Swales are the primary collection points for surface water drainage at the airport. Works delivered to improve and upgrade the existing swales included:
The airport is in an environmentally sensitive area that is rich in wildlife and ecosystems. As part of our offering on all SCAPE Scotland Civil Engineering projects, we assessed the impact of works on the biodiversity of the area and offered options to create a biodiversity net gain.
Our initial assessment identified that without mitigation, an 8.5% biodiversity loss would occur as a result of the project. Working collaboratively with Highlands and Islands Airports and NatureScot, we clearly set out how to avoid this and how to create a 5% biodiversity net gain, with the net gain being achieved through using a bespoke seed mix of plants genetically suited to the local environment.
With HIAL’s contracted requirement to benefit the local community – both during and after construction - and our own well-established approach to generating social value, our project team designed a bespoke social impact action plan. The plan focussed on key areas including:
As a result of the plan and our well-established approach to generating social value we have been able to:
social value generated
spend with SME's
local labour
Alongside this, our teams also looked for innovative ways to ensure we reduced our environmental impact and carbon emissions. Utilising a hybrid solar pod generator to power one of the remote site compounds situated between the airport runway and taxiway, we saved 21.2 tonnes of C02, 7,678 litres of diesel and reduced noise pollution.
Working in a highly regulated and controlled aviation environment required meticulous planning to ensure safe, compliant airside working practices were followed.
Collaboration and regular communication with airport operations, air traffic control, Bristow’s Search and Rescue (SAR), and the Scottish Air Ambulance was also vital to ensuring the airport and vital emergency services remained operational at all times.