ECI for Sustainability

As a civil engineering contractor operating since 1927, we have witnessed enormous changes affecting our industry throughout the centuries. Methods, technologies and health & safety are among the many radical progressions, but one most notable is the increasing necessity to develop sustainable civil engineering, construction techniques and solutions to meet some of the major challenges of the 21st Century.

The majority of Mackley’s work on rivers and coastlines unfortunately gives us a front row seat to the impacts of climate change. Many of our own ‘lifer’ staff working these waterways and beaches throughout their professional lives have seen first-hand the increasing erosion, frequent extreme weather events, biodiversity loss, dropping beach levels and control structures under pressure.

While there is an immediate environmental need to improve, clients and project promoters are now also approaching schemes with broader goals. Engaging with wider groups and improving communication with stakeholders, community groups, public forums etc. helps clients embed sustainability into projects from the start. Plans don’t just tick the original box of constructing X or repairing Y, but they’re sympathetic to the needs of the people and wildlife living within the area – it’s not just a flood bund, it’s a picturesque public riverside walk with wildlife habitat enhancements.

The foundations of sustainable infrastructure have to be incorporated from the start and we are increasingly helping clients through ECI (Early Contractor Involvement) to support the development of early designs. We explore options like natural flood defences, sustainably sourced and low impact materials and advise on buildability, materials, plant, design and innovation. We can then present a choice of solutions that provide ecological, commercial, community and ecological benefits early enough for them to be incorporated and budgeted. Events like Flood & Coast provide the opportunities to not only showcase our services, but gather new information on innovative, exciting methods and products continually in development to aid our ECI.

Examples of ‘greening the grey’ can include small features like rock gouging, groyne roping, timber troughs and broom heads to encourage marine life, to our larger biodiversity enhancements such as a 2.5km specially textured sea wall to increase colonisation by marine organisms. Transforming the wall into a valuable habit simultaneously protects the concrete from the sun and sea and also extends the life of the wall. This enhancement adds significant value to the wall’s main purpose as a flood defence but also creates an attractive shoreline walk.

Contact Abigail Panton, Marketing & Media Co-ordinator, T 01273 492212abigail.panton@mackley.co.ukwww.mackley.co.uk