Keltbray, in conjunction with LendLease, Wilson James and the Royal Engineers, completed the construction of a 2000-space car park to be used by NHS staff deployed to the temporary Nightingale Hospital housed within the ExCel centre, London. The project, which took two weeks to complete, serves as example of Keltbray’s contribution to the national effort during the initial peak of COVID-19 in the UK.
Keltbray received the call for aid on Saturday 28th March 2020, had plant deployed on site on Sunday 29th and began work on Monday 30th. An initial 200 spaces were ready and available for use by the NHS within three days of boots on the ground. 1000 spaces were available following the first week of construction, with 1000 more added the following week.
Keltbray had 20 men on site as well as machines including excavators, dumpers, rollers and bulldozers.
Large areas of vegetation were cleared at the start of the project to create a haul road and level areas for the construction of the various car parks and trunk road to connect them.
The Health, Safety and Wellbeing of our employees is one of Keltbray’s core values. During these unprecedented times, new working methods had to be adopted swiftly and safety in a bid to ensure social distancing and compliance with ever-changing CLC guidelines were adhered to at all times. In its efforts to ensure safe and smart social distancing and increased hygiene at sites, Keltbray introduced Welfare Hire’s Eco7, Eco10 and Hybrid Lighting Towers to its Nightingale ExCel support project.
Advice, guidance and rulings from the Government backed Construction Leadership Council were reviewed daily and new smart working measures were brought in instantly when required.
Executive Chairman Brendan Kerr said: “We’re pleased to be able to provide our services to this important project, ensuring safe and efficient facilities for the thousands of NHS vehicles that will be needed for Nightingale Hospital. We’re all in this together and we’re proud to support the incredible work that the NHS is doing on the front line.”
The Nightingale Hospital at the ExCel exhibition centre was capable of housing 4,000 patients suffering from Covid-19 and was completed at cost price.
