Lincoln Coating plant successfully completed supplying Asphalt to Colas on the prestigious runway resurfacing project at RAF Coningsby. The project involved the supply of over 25,000t of surface course material and has taken five months to successfully complete. RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire is one of the UK’s RAF Quick Reaction Alert Stations which protect UK airspace. It’s the home of two frontline, combat-ready squadrons and is the main base for the RAF’s Typhoon Fighter Aircraft.
“The strategic importance of this scheme was made very clear during our initial discussions with Colas back in April 2019,” says James Playford, Area Manager for Asphalt Eastern. “The runway was to be resurfaced during the night with a Porous Friction Course while always remaining fully operational. To achieve this Colas needed to resurface a short section of the runway each night so the typhoons could always be scrambled in case of an emergency.
Early Involvement in this high-profile scheme was vital in us securing this project. The complex technical requirements of MOD Asphalt specifications meant our Technical team: Martin Ashfield and Andy Watkinson, combined with our Sales team. Jon Godley played a pivotal role in the initial phase of securing the contract. The pre-contract Technical and Operational support given to Colas included extensive mix testing, laying trials and a full operational capability tour of the Asphalt plant.
Once the order was received the operational challenges could begin. Supplying up to 450t of surface course per shift in a tight working window was pushing the plant to its limits.”
“A huge thanks goes to the whole Operational team who have worked tremendously well to deliver this project,” says Gary Hayhurst, Lincoln Plant Manager. “The plant was kept running day and night since early July and we have fulfilled every single Colas order without fail – a truly great achievement with an aging asset. The commitment and teamwork of the Operational staff has been amazing, and everyone has pulled together and gone the extra mile with many even re-arranging holidays to ensure staffing levels could be maintained. A massive thank you to the whole Lincoln team comprising of Martin Barnaby, Mick White, Scott Hammerton, Julian Doxley, Neil Smithson, Keith Parke, Paul Westmoreland and Kelvin Stevenson.
Special thanks also to the team at Roan Edge quarry who should be commended for keeping us stocked up with their Premium Hardstone Aggregate.”
Our customer, Colas Procurement Director, Steve Bryant, commented: “From a personal perspective, having witnessed the ballet dance of a night shift on a couple of occasions I think it’s absolutely fantastic to see you all working collaboratively together. I believe in giving credit where credit is due and you, ladies and gentlemen, should be congratulated, so here is my chance to say ‘Thank You’ and we look forward to working with you again, whenever that might be…”
Well done and thanks to everyone involved for delivering such a successful project. The final shift of the project was completed on Thursday 5th December.