Shanco was appointed by LNT Construction to deliver a major Section 278 (S278) scheme as part of a new care home development near Bognor Regis. The project involved forming a new entrance along the busy A29, together with associated drainage, road alterations, and utility works. It required close coordination with West Sussex County Council and other contractors to ensure the programme could be completed efficiently, safely, and with minimal disruption to the local community.
Planning a Programme That Works for Everyone
Given the A29’s importance as a key route into Bognor Regis, the road’s partial closure and lane restrictions presented significant challenges for both traffic flow and stakeholder confidence. Shanco engaged with the local authority nine months before works began, ensuring all stakeholders were part of the planning process from the outset.
Through this early consultation, the council outlined a clear set of expectations: protect public and worker safety, keep disruption to a minimum, and condense the programme wherever possible. The licensing process required detailed sequencing and legal agreements well in advance, and Shanco built a phased delivery plan that would stand up to both scrutiny and real-world site conditions.
A Technically Challenging, Multi-Party Delivery
The physical works were carried out in a live road environment with multiple interfaces. The initial stages involved diverting an existing drainage swale, managing groundwater and surface runoff in difficult winter conditions. A deep drainage connection at 2.7 metres was installed alongside ducting to facilitate future communications and water connections for the care home.
Shanco’s role also extended to coordinating with other contractors working under their highway licence. These works included:
- Diverting overhead electric cables and installing new poles
- Disconnecting and capping a live gas main
- Installing a new water main connection across the road
- Relocating street lighting columns
- Supporting additional third-party works under Shanco’s traffic management controls
By facilitating these overlapping works under one carefully managed programme, Shanco not only helped speed up delivery for the client but also reduced prolonged disruption for local residents and road users.
Working Against the Weather
Due to tourism-related restrictions, the project could not take place in the peak summer months, meaning the team had to work through storm conditions and frequent heavy rainfall during January and February. Groundwater ingress and flooding became daily challenges. Despite this, the programme remained on track thanks to robust sequencing, real-time decision making, and consistent communication with the local authority.
Delivered on Schedule, Supporting Regional Infrastructure
Despite adverse weather and the complexity of multi-party coordination, the project was completed in line with the original programme. This allowed the new substation (part of the wider care home development) to be commissioned on time, supporting both the client’s development and the broader regional power network.
Shanco’s collaborative approach, clear communication, and ability to plan ahead made this S278 scheme a success, with benefits that extended beyond the immediate development site to the wider community and local authority infrastructure.
If you happen to have a groundworks project in mind, don’t hesitate to get in touch and speak to an expert like Leanne today.
