A69 Bridge End, Hexham

Environment Protection

SDS’s largest Vortex Separator addresses road runoff pollution on busy main junction.

Overview

The A69 is an important trans-Pennine arterial route, connecting the north-east and north-west of England, that is heavily used by both hauliers and commuters and is regularly subject to delays at peak travel times.

A newly designed intersection of the A69 and A6079 at Bridge End, at which the existing traditional roundabout is turned into a grade-separated junction, will help to create 18 miles of free-flowing dual carriageway between Newcastle and Hexham and improve access from the A69 and into Hexham. Congestion will be significantly reduced, resulting in shorter, and more reliable, travel times and safer journeys.

SDS was required to minimise pollution via surface water runoff from the new junction on the local watercourses, groundwater and ultimately the River Tyne.

What We Did

SDS AS-10 Aqua-Swirl™ hydrodynamic vortex separator was installed to restore road runoff water quality to acceptable standards and deliver value for money whilst also satisfying National Highways’ internal governance processes.

Since a high proportion of highway pollutants are found to be adhered to suspended solids, by collecting, filtering and treating the fine sediment, which is subsequently removed, the system mitigates the impact of the project on the local environment.

The scheme has been completed using National Highways’ Construction Works Framework, which involves a number of approved contractors and whose collaboration has been deemed essential in delivering an outstanding infrastructure project.

Results

The primary driver for this water quality scheme was the mitigation of outfalls and associated discharges that fail National Highways’ prescribed performance standards for ‘LA113 Road Drainage and the Water Environment’ as specified in the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB). The method of pollutant removal meets the requirements of the DMRB “CG 501: Design of highway drainage systems.”

At the 2022 Constructing Excellence North East Awards the project achieved industry recognition by winning two Highly Commended awards including “Civils Project of the Year”.

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