M4 bridge team dig in to help out South Gloucestershire Scout group

The team behind National Highways’ M4 Badminton Bridge reconstruction project upheld the Scout motto and performed a day’s good turn to enhance a Scout group’s HQ in South Gloucestershire

Following the Cotswold Edge Scout District’s request for the donation of recycled materials from the nearby construction site, Taylor Woodrow, the scheme’s principal contractors, met up with Scout leaders at the group’s HQ to explore any potential social value projects.

During the visit numerous tasks were identified to improve facilities at their Scout hut in Coalpit Heath – home to a thriving number of Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs and Scouts.

And last month, a total of 25 volunteers from Taylor Woodrow, National Highways and supply chain partners WSP, Freyssinet and Carney Construction teamed up to undertake:

·       installation of three new parking bays;

·       installation of a new stone access road;

·       clearance of vegetation and weeds;

·       improvements to an outdoor washdown area;

·       interior painting throughout the school hall;

·       repairs to a manhole;

·       excavation and removal of rotted decking.

As part of the collaborative effort, supply chain partners GAP provided plant and machinery free of charge, and the new improvements will now allow the Scout leaders to concentrate on their weekly sessions without the worry of planning their own refurbishment work.

Dean Ashpole-Chapman, District Centre Lead Volunteer for the Cotswold Edge Scout District, said: “We’re so grateful to the whole team. The fantastic volume of work achieved in just one day would have easily taken us over two years to complete.”

As part of a social value initiative earlier this year, National Highways stepped in to improve safety access at the Scout hut by installing a ramp and railings.

Steve Pearson, National Highways’ Supplier Relationship Manager for the South West, said: “Our Social Value ethos is a fantastic way in which we can complement our schemes and help local communities alongside our road network.

“While our focus is to deliver a high quality, safe road network, we’re passionate about making a positive impact on our local areas and communities, and we’re delighted to have been able to benefit the Scout group with this work.” 

Owen Martin, Taylor Woodrow’s Social Value Lead, added: “It was a truly collaborative effort, we had a mix of expertise and buy-in and it was so rewarding to see the impact of the volunteering event, which has delivered a more accessible, enhanced and clean and fresh facility.”

To find out more details about National Highways’ Social Value and Community Legacy work click on the company web page. 

Following its closure to traffic, the deteriorating bridge over the M4 was demolished late last year, and as the scheme progresses, beams for the new bridge are being installed under a weekend closure of the motorway between Friday 24 October and Monday 27 October.

Once the beams have been lifted into place, the remainder of the new 46.5-metre long bridge will be constructed and will be opened to the public in early 2026.

For up-to-date information on the A432 Badminton Bridge refurbishment scheme, people can log on National Highways' schemes web page.