Construction Newsletter Issue 20 - Autumn
Transforming the heart of Wembley Park Olympic Steps CGI
Introducing the...
Olympic Steps We are building the Olympic Steps, an exciting and ambitious project over a decade in the making, transforming the entrance to the National Stadium and creating more space for a 365-day neighbourhood filled with activity. The final section of upgrades to the world famous Olympic Way, which include an iconic new set of steps in front of the National Stadium, are now under construction.
Newly transformed public space in the heart of Wembley Park
This exciting and ambitious project has been over a decade in the making and it will transform the entrance to the National Stadium and create much more space for a 365day neighbourhood filled with activity. The existing ramp, known as the pedway, was built as part of the old Wembley Stadium as a bridge over coach parks that no longer exist. The Olympic Steps, which are to replace the outdated, concrete pedway, will extend Olympic Way and improve accessibility for all visitors to the National Stadium. The existing ramps are too steep for wheelchair users to navigate unassisted. As part of the Olympic Steps project, accessibility to the Wembley Stadium concourse has been significantly improved with the introduction of four new lifts, accommodating three wheelchairs each.
The complete transformation of the iconic Olympic Way
From the community parades of Light Up The Night to celebrity performances as part of The Mayor of London’s International Busking Day, Olympic Way has played host to some of Wembley Park’s most exciting free events. The Olympic Steps will expand and enhance this public pedestrianised space, allowing for more memorable moments in the heart of Wembley Park. View from Market Square
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What's happening at Wembley Park Olympic Steps FAQs What’s happening? The long ramp leading up to Wembley Stadium, known as the pedway, is being replaced by a set of iconic steps, which will be known as the Olympic Steps. The Olympic Steps – alongside the wider upgrades to Olympic Way, which have included widening it by 50%, form an integral part of the transformation of Wembley Park into London’s most exciting new neighbourhood and once complete will offer a host of benefits to our local community of residents, workers and visitors. The main construction work will be from July 2020 to the end of February 2021, when the Olympic Steps will be operational for the Carabao Cup Final. From March 2021 to June 2021, landscaping and fit-out works will be undertaken to prepare the Olympic Steps for daily use as an important addition to Wembley Park’s local neighbourhood.
Why does the pedway need to be replaced? The pedway was built in the 1970s as a bridge over open air coach parks that no longer exist. It is a remnant of the old Wembley Stadium which was reconstructed in 2007 to become the National Stadium we know and love today.
The current pedway ramps are too steep for those in a wheelchair to use unassisted and the gradients are challenging for people with mobility problems.
The Olympic Steps have been designed after consultation with Level Playing Field, an organisation that promotes a positive, inclusive experience for disabled sports fans.
Wembley Stadium is a major events venue, how have you ensured the Olympic Steps are suitable for crowds?
Will the steps be ready for the Euro 2021?
The steps have been designed to meet industry best practice and guidance alongside all relevant safety standards. Rigorous testing will take place before the Olympic Steps are in regular use.
What does this mean for disabled visitors? Importantly, the pedway is not DDA compliant for unassisted wheelchair use as it is too steep. The very steep ramp gradient is also challenging for encumbered spectators to use including those with mobility or visual impairments, ambulant disabled, as well as those with a pushchair. For the pedway to better serve unassisted wheelchair users it would have to be over 70m longer than it is currently.
Yes, the Olympic Steps are due for completion in June 2021, which means they will be ready for the European Championships. The steps will be operational by February 2021 for the Carabao Cup Final and from March 2021 to June 2021, landscaping and fit-out works will be undertaken to prepare the steps and their undercroft for daily use as a key addition to Wembley Park’s public space. The Olympic Steps project will be fully complete by the start of the Euros football championship in June 2021.
The Olympic Steps project provides better access for the needs of older and disabled people with the introduction of four new lifts from ground level to the Wembley Stadium concourse. Each lift can take three wheelchairs, giving a total capacity of 12 wheelchairs at a time. The Olympic Steps undercroft
Quintain is a partner of Build UK – a collective voice for the construction supply chain which provides valuable insight into construction markets and aims to improve industry practices. For more information, visit:
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Transforming Wembley Park with help from:
Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) As a Client Partner of CCS, Quintain is committed to promoting 'Construction Best Practice' by endorsing its principles and values across Wembley Park, with registration to the scheme being obligatory for all new contractors. Monitored on a daily basis, the average combined scores from across the three framework contractors' sites are outlined below: - Sisk - Wates - McLaren
45.5/50 46/50 Yet to be inspected
The benchmark for Wembley Park is scores of 40 or more points— categorised as "Excellent" by CCS. All four contractors meet this, and in some areas are marked as "Exceptional". You can view the full CCS scoring system here: www.ccscheme.org.uk wembleypark.com
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Progress & planned works Olympic Steps FAQs continued... Will the demolition of the pedway and steps construction be noisy? Every consideration has been made to minimise disruption to Wembley Park’s residents and visitors. A proportion of the construction of the steps is being carried out off-site and noise and vibration monitoring stations will be in place in several locations which will be closely monitored by our contractors and the ENS team at Brent Council. The project timeline has been carefully considered to get the noisiest part of the project within Phase 2, completed as quickly as possible. As such, Brent Council has agreed the following permissible working hours for the three phases of construction:
Phase 1 – Site Preparation and Substructure Works
From 14th July 2020 to 20th November 2020 Monday – Friday 0800 – 1800 Saturdays 0800 – 1300
Phase 2 – Pedway Demolition and Construction of Steps From 21st November 2020 to 6th February 2021 Monday – Sunday 0700 – 2300 From 7th February 2021 to 28th February 2021 Monday – Friday 0800 – 1800 Saturdays 0800 – 1300
For queries on the Olympic Steps construction, please call the customer voicebox or email:
0800 021 3245 development@wembleypark.com wembleypark.com/olympicsteps
Phase 3 – Landscaping and Fit Out From 1st March 2021 to 10th June 2021 Monday – Friday 0800 – 1800 Saturdays 0800 – 1300
The areas most affected by noise will be those closest to current the pedway itself during the beginning of Phase 2. Rigorous testing has been carried out from balconies across the residential buildings that will be most affected to ensure that noise levels remain within the range of safe exposure.
E05 (The Robinson)
Contractor: John Sisk and Sons Ltd CCS Score: 46/50 The scheme consists of 458 apartments, a 77 space coach park, DDA parking, residential basement parking, a commercial unit, and podium gardens. Progress to date incudes: • All pre-cast façade panels now on site • Waterproofing of the façade underway • Commencement of balconies and glazing to lower units • Internal fit-out of apartments has commenced in earnest with 1st fix electrical & kitchens Key works taking place this quarter: • Completion of the waterproofing to façade • Ongoing balcony works and shopfront glazing • Podium waterproofing • Internal fit-out of the amenity spaces • Ongoing fit-out of the apartments Completion: summer 2021
E03 (Canada Gardens)
Contractor: John Sisk and Sons Ltd CCS score: 45/50 The project is delivering 743 apartments, a 91 space coach park, retail space along with a podium garden and community outdoor amenity space and a 30 megawatt energy centre. Progress to date includes: • Works continue at pace with Blocks A & B both delivering in the last quarter, adding an additional 200 rental homes • Podium works are also nearing the end of development, with final paving works and planting to complete • South Park is well developed, with 5 of the 6 ponds commissioned and planting is well established
E01/02 (Madison)
Contractor: Wates Construction Ltd CCS Score: 46/50 The site will consist of 633 apartments, car parking bays, commercial space, podium gardens, a multi-use games area and nursery. Progress to date incudes: • Internal finishes and public realm completion Key works taking place this quarter: • Commissioning and testing Completion: November 2020
Key works taking place this quarter: • End of July is a big change, as we deliver Block G, the 26 storey tower, along with public realm space, super lobby, club house, play shed & additional garden space up on the podium Completion: September 2020
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NW09/10 (Repton Gardens)
Contractor: McLaren Construction CCS score: Not yet inspected Repton Gardens is made up of three distinct blocks, which will deliver 396 buildto-rent homes, 1,000sqm of ground floor retail space and 1,300sqm earmarked for a GP surgery. The scheme also includes resident podium gardens, roof terraces and car parking. Progress to date includes: • Excavation and forming of foundations in progress on • Drainage in progress • Forming of concrete lift pits in progress • Making up levels and blinding in progress • Envac underground rubbish disposal and utilities Key works taking place this quarter: • Work currently on hold Olympic Steps CGI
Completion: December 2022
Development plots Quintain managed sites
For any queries on Quintain managed sites please call the customer voicebox or email: 0800 021 3245 development@wembleypark.com
Sites not owned by Quintain
There are a number of sites around Wembley Park not owned by Quintain which are also being developed, and for clarity we’ve marked these on the map.
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