GRS completes Hays Lane outfall at Jack Walker Way

GRS Contractors has completed the surface water outfall connection on Hays Lane in Blackburn, ending a month-long road closure on the Persimmon Homes development at Jack Walker Way.

The outfall is where rainwater from the new roads and plots leaves the site. It was the one part of the job that had to be done in the public highway.

With the road reopened, the work is back inside the site boundary. Roads and drainage are in on the lower part of the development, round the bend and across towards the school.

The gang is now working back up the next section, laying pipe in open trench with our Hitachi Zaxis 135 excavator.

Paul Smalley, Contracts Manager at GRS, said: “We’ve made a lot of progress on site over the last few months. Alongside the main works, the team delivered the surface water outfall connection on Hayes Lane, which needed a month-long road closure.

“With that phase complete, the job has gone back to a skeleton crew while we put people on other priority schemes. Even with fewer on site, the development keeps moving forward.”

Daniel Sanford has been on Jack Walker Way since day one. He has been with GRS for five years, which is also how long he has worked in civils.

Working beside him is Caleb Little, who moved on to the site two weeks ago and is finding his feet in the construction industry.

“We’ve done all the way down there, round the bend, across towards the school,” Sanford said. “Now we’re working our way back up this section.”

Smalley said: “Daniel is as steady as they go. He’s been on this site since day one and he’s impressed me.

“Caleb is finding his feet in the civils game, but he’s made a great start and he’s eager to learn. That’s the next generation.”

The far end of the site is expected to start in about six weeks. We'll keep progress updated here.