Jones Bros has driven the realignment of a carriageway on the A40 trunk road near Sennybridge4th Jul 2024

Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK has completed the realignment of the A40 near Sennybridge in Powys that was initially limited to single lane traffic following a landslip.

The Ruthin-headquartered firm was appointed by the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent (NMWTRA) to work on the multi-million-pound project, which has included building a soil nailed retaining structure with a hard facing alongside the site of the earthfall, a contingent factor in aiding the flow of vehicles in both directions.

Jones Bros carried out a vital ground stabilisation technique on the carriageway, with the installation of more than 500 soil nails to reinforce the embankment.

Championing driver safety, 300 metres of the A40 was realigned to rectify a severe bend causing poor visibility issues, with upgrades also made to the crash barrier systems.

The civil engineering contractor consulted with Natural Resources Wales to ensure there was minimal impact on an ancient woodland and the River Usk, which is a site of special scientific interest (SSSI) and a special area of conservation (SAC).

Flowing beneath the trunk road, the river encompasses an important wildlife corridor for breeding birds, otter, and Atlantic stream crayfish.

Honouring its efforts to use a local supply chain on the project, Jones Bros partnered with a Brecon-based soil disposal and earthworks firm to support with the removal of 4,000 tonnes of material from the site.

Jones Bros project manager Gareth Jones said: “This is a major development in Mid Wales, and we’re thrilled to have played a key part in ensuring road standards are updated and in turn, vehicle users are more protected.

“Working on a long, narrow site has had its challenges and constraints but we maintained single lane traffic throughout. The sequence of our activity was key to minimising the extent of potential disruption.

“As with all our schemes we have done our utmost to make sure that the effect on the environment and wildlife is minimal, thanks to our collaboration with Natural Resources Wales.”

The A40 team started work in January 2023, comprising of 15 staff members, including a trainee plant operative, and an apprentice engineer.

NMWTRA said: “We’re pleased that Jones Bros has successfully enabled the reopening of both lanes on the A40. This has been achieved with minimal disruption to the traveling public.

“Work was carried out in a safe and sustainable manner, despite the challenging site conditions squeezed between the hillside and the river.”

Established in the 1950s, Jones Bros owns one of the largest plant fleets in the UK and employs approximately 500 people.

The company is currently working on contracts in various sectors including highways, flood and marine defence, waste management and renewable energy around the UK.

The company runs an award-winning apprenticeship scheme, which has produced nearly 40 per cent of its current workforce, with many of its senior managers having started out as apprentices or in a trainee role. It has recruited more than 100 apprentices during the past three years.