Construct - Issue 51

scheme was developed to improve visibility while enhancing the ambience of the underpass. The result is a space that feels brighter and safer, day and night. Delivering this transformation was no small feat – to meet the tight delivery deadline, FM Conway teams were on site 24-hours a day, five days a week, for the majority of the works schedule. Maintaining pedestrian access throughout was essential, achieved through illuminated tunnels and the presence of marshals during night shifts. Unavoidable closures for vehicles were carefully timed to minimise disruption. The proximity to Clapham Junction meant all works had to be planned with precision to avoid any impact on the railway. FM Conway liaised closely with Network Rail’s asset protection team and followed strict protocols to ensure safety and uninterrupted rail service. “This was a complex job in a confined and high-traffic environment,” says Liam McGoldrick, senior contracts manager at FM Conway. “We had multiple trades working simultaneously – painting, electrical, cladding, landscaping – and it required detailed sequencing and daily coordination to keep everything on track. But thanks to strong collaboration with the London Borough of Wandsworth and our partners, we’ve delivered a high-quality finish that celebrates the community and connects the local area.” Sam Emmett from the London Borough of Wandsworth adds: “Falcon Road is a vital link in our borough’s transport network. FM Conway has consistently delivered great work for us and this was no different. The project has not only improved the safety and appearance of the underpass but has done so with minimal disruption, managing stakeholders including TfL, London Buses, Network Rail, emergency services, local businesses and residents. The result is a space that better serves everyone who uses it.”

The Falcon Road underpass in Wandsworth is an important link for local people, sitting below one of the UK’s busiest rail junctions, but it was a rather unloved and unwelcoming space. FM Conway’s recent works have dramatically changed all that, delivering a colourful transformation that balances infrastructure improvement with community benefit. Running for around 100 metres beneath four railway bridges, the Falcon Road underpass connects a bustling bus station to the north with a busy high street to the south. It sees thousands of people and vehicles pass through daily, but until recently it probably wasn’t somewhere that many enjoyed visiting. Contracted by the London Borough of Wandsworth, the FM Conway team undertook a major programme of works to upgrade the route. The mission: to create a pleasant and lively environment that shows the best face of Wandsworth. makeover, including applying a Network Rail approved protective coating system. They also put in pigeon deterrents to discourage these avian visitors from redecorating in future. The stars of the show are new enamel cladding panels installed along both walls of the underpass, which celebrate the local Wandsworth community. Developed with input from residents, their energetic designs have turned a utilitarian space into a vibrant public corridor. At the southern end of the underpass, FM Conway introduced landscaped planters filled with trees and shrubs, helping biodiversity as well as making the space more inviting for pedestrians and passers-by. One of the big things the project team wanted to achieve was to make the underpass feel safer, so getting the lighting right was key. A specialist architectural The team got to work jet washing the underpass and getting it ready for its

LOCATION

BATTERSEA PARK

S

Chelsea Harbour

E

M

E R T H A

Battersea

V

R I

FALCON ROAD

Clapham Junction

Wandsworth

FACTS Client

London Borough of Wandsworth Divisions • Structures • Digital Urban Solutions • Traffic Management

A specialist architectural scheme was developed to

improve visibility while enhancing the ambience of the underpass.

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