Overview:
Tottenham Green is a popular public park in the London Borough of Haringey, providing the community with a calm space in a busy part of the capital. In 2014, the park and Town Hall Approach Road underwent significant improvements works in a bid to revitalise the area. While the scope of improvements were well received, they did not extend to those public spaces behind the civic buildings overlooking Tottenham Green on Town Hall Approach Road. The spaces and routes between these civic buildings were dated, unwelcoming and in need of improvements to raise the quality of the public areas to match those on Tottenham Green.
In partnership with Haringey Council, the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Fusion Lifestyle and the Marcus Garvey Library, Marlborough Highways was tasked with devising and implementing the Tottenham Green Phase 2 improvement scheme; an ambitious project that would build on the previous works, to provide a safer, more attractive, and greener environment for people to use and enjoy.
The Challenge
Haringey Council required a trusted, knowledgeable, and highly experienced partner to plan and manage the Tottenham Green Phase 2 improvement project. They needed to raise the profile and visibility of the services on offer at Tottenham Green through integrated paths and better signage, with the use of high-quality materials. The works had to be cost-effective, completed to time, and undertaken in a manner that would complement the earlier developments in and around Tottenham Green, while minimising disruption to residents and local businesses.
Access to civic buildings had to be maintained throughout, including to the rear of the Ambitious College, to allow young students with autism to be transported to a secure drop off and pick up location. Partway through the project, a void under the existing paving to the back of Tottenham Green Pools and Fitness was discovered, meaning an innovative solution was needed to complete the works to a safe and aesthetically pleasing high standard.
The Solution
Marlborough were selected as the main contractor for the Tottenham Green Phase 2 project and started the public realm improvement works in November 2020. The 9-month scheme saw Marlborough transform an unattractive environment into an area that encourages visitors to stay longer and to visit more frequently.
The enhanced pedestrian route allows walkers and joggers to travel safely and pleasantly on Clyde Road and the surrounding streets in and around Tottenham Green, while improved wayfinding has made it easier for people to navigate through this formerly secluded and underused area. Directional signage has been placed to the rear of Tottenham Green Pools and Fitness and to the side of the Bernie Arts Centre, guiding residents through the new open space with improved lighting, sightlines, and integrated pathways. Meanwhile, new trade bollards are attracting an increasing number of small local businesses to the area, diversifying the commercial offering for residents and visitors alike.
The Marlborough team worked tirelessly to address the challenge that the void under the existing paving to the back of Tottenham Green Pools and Fitness posed. A specialist resin with steel edging was used, allowing for continuity in the distinctive triangle design of the feature.
During the project, Marlborough developed strong relationships with local businesses and civic organisations, allowing the scheme to be completed smoothly and to schedule. The relationship with Ambitious College was vitally important, it ensured pupils and staff at the college had access to the building throughout, while the daily operations of the works team could seamlessly continue.
Fact File
Client Haringey Council
Date November 2020 – August 2021
Duration 9 months
Value £1.4 million
Project
- Car park resurfacing (asphalt) and markings
- Concrete blocks and granite kerbs
- Porous resin with stainless steel edging
- Landscaping and planting works
- Reposition of existing lighting columns with new lanterns and brackets
- New up lighting to trees and features
- New trader bollards
- New directional signage
- Enlargement and enhancement of the Marcus Garvey Library garden
Team
- 1 full time Project Manager
- 1 Site Engineer
- 8 Marlborough Operatives across all trades
- 14 Specialist Contractors with 35 operatives
Client savings
- Creative solution proposed and actioned to resolve the issue of an unexpected paving void
- Provided a full-time, dedicated Project Manager.
- Marlborough worked collaboratively with local civic organisations, avoiding delays and an increased cost for Haringey Council.
Quote from client
“The Tottenham Green Phase 2 project comprised a number of bespoke elements including an intricate paving and kerbing layout, involved street furniture configurations and specialist lighting and signing works. Prior to the works phase Marlborough engaged in considerable ECI and supported the Council with Value Engineering. The scheme was completed within our budget without compromising on quality. During the works the site team liaised closely with ourselves, key stakeholders and landowners and maintained good communication throughout. The end scheme is exemplary and demonstrates the team’s attention to detail.”
Tracey McGovern, Project Manager, Haringey Council
“One of the things I value most is their very collaborative and transparent team culture. It makes a big difference to have a contractor that wants to work closely with us and is supportive and responsive. With Marlborough, I get a team who are attentive, work collaboratively and honestly with me and don’t lose focus on delivering first class communications and compliance.”
“From the design stage, Marlborough has been fundamental in delivering the Broad Lane Square improvements scheme. During the works, not only did the team manage to keep to the programme, but they went the extra mile to ensure attention to detail and came up with innovative solutions to address issues encountered on site. My thanks on behalf of Haringey goes out to Marlborough for their dedication to deliver.”
“Working alongside our Term Service Contractor Marlborough Highways, we successfully completed renovations to the Crowstone Footbridge. The designs were provided by Marlborough, and the work was unique. The scheme was completed to budget and ahead of its programme duration.”
“I would like to thank you and your team for your efforts, the Marlborough crews were professional, courteous, and hard working all day and ensured the event went without a hitch. You and the team were a credit to the company, demonstrating commitment and support to the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.”
“I just wanted to say what a pleasure it has been to work with Marlborough Highways over the last six months. The quality of work is superb, and there has been some excellent collaboration between Milestone and Marlborough to complete, what at times, has been quite a challenging scheme. I hope to work with Marlborough on another project in the near future.”
“Marlborough worked with us in constructing a 1.3km cycle track. There were a number of technical difficulties to overcome, and their gifted foreman worked to propose some innovative solutions to the challenges we faced. The result is a facility that the locals are proud of, providing walkers and cyclists with alternative access to the hospital and nearby school. The scheme was a lot of hard work, but well worth it.”
“Marlborough attracts people who take care and have pride in their work. Several gangs of Operatives worked tirelessly for six months to reconstruct drainage networks, lay more than 3km of high quality bespoke granite kerbs and granite channels blocks to ensure positive drainage. The technical compliance, attention to detail and level of quality finish along the entire carriageway was exceptional”.
“We saw huge benefits in appointing Marlborough as our full service contractor and we’re impressed – they’ve delivered consistent high quality service and superior quality control across every project. Marlborough, provide us with a ‘one-stop’ shop solution – we get the same quality of service and better control across all aspects of the project.”
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