Jones Bros supports Wigan drone specialist on highways project4th Mar 2019

A leading civil engineering firm has appointed a local drone operator to document its work on a major highways project in Wigan.

Professional drone photographer Mike Dinsdale, who runs Midi Photography, will work alongside Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK to capture the A49 link road development.  

The contract comes after the award-winning company held a ‘Meet The Buyer’ event, in partnership with Wigan Council, as part of its commitment to employing and engaging local businesses during the scheme.

Jones Bros has also appointed other Wigan-based suppliers including workspace provider Office Bay, contractor Paul Blackledge Drilling, and security and cleaning service Radius.

And working with the family firm has led to the opportunity to tender for more contracts, says former building surveyor turned photographer Mike.

He said: “I only photograph construction, architecture, and interior spaces as that is my background, but it was great to get a job in Wigan.

“Working with Jones Bros has allowed me to look at new technologies, such as digital photogrammetry, which is where the drone takes hundreds of high-resolution photographs to create a digital map of the site.

“Thanks to this opportunity, I’ve been asked to tender for further work in Wales, which is absolutely fantastic. I think it’s great to involve local people and companies as it instils a sense of pride.”

Eryl Evans, project manager at Jones Bros added: “We share Wigan Council’s vision around supporting communities and it’s really important to us to work with local people. There’s a fantastic skillset in Wigan and it’s only right we utilise this expertise for this scheme.

“We have made some great contacts while here and the companies we are involved with are providing vital services that are enabling us to deliver this project safely and efficiently.

“We look forward to the next stage of the development and hope to welcome some apprentices on site.”

Leader of the council, Councillor David Molyneux said: “Jones Bros have a wealth of experience in the field and they share our social values, so they were the perfect fit for this project.

“They are making significant progress and it is great to see this new road now taking shape.

“There are many benefits to the link road, such as providing businesses and residents with better east-west connectivity, which is a vital part of the borough’s economic growth strategy.

“Improving connectivity in this way gives people better access to jobs and can encourage businesses to invest in the borough, which is another key priority for us.”

The link road is part of a wider plan for investment in the borough’s road network and is in line with the council’s commitment to generating economic growth and improving infrastructure.

In addition to relieving congestion and improving air quality in the area, the link road will connect Warrington Road and Goose Green to Westwood Park and the town centre at the Poolstock and Chapel Lane junction.

Jones Bros has also held apprenticeship recruitment events at Wigan and Leigh College, giving local young people the chance to learn about job opportunities on the site.

Established in the 1950s, the company is now being run by the second and third generations of the founding family and employs more than 350 people. 

The family-owned firm has recruited more than 100 apprentices during the past three years, with many of its senior management having started out in apprenticeship and trainee roles.

As well as highways, it works on projects including the construction of waste management facilities, renewable energy, and flood and marine defence projects around the UK.

For more information about the project, visit www.wigan.gov.uk and search ‘A49’.

Featured Image: Wigan Council