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Port of Dover


Description of Works
With over 12 million passengers passing through each year, the Port of Dover, more colloquially known as the “Gateway to Europe”, is Europe’s busiest ferry port. The port also serves over 2.5 million road haulage vehicles annually. High traffic volumes had started to take their toll on the main approach routes to the dock: the A20 and the A2 Jubilee Way.

The strategic road network near the transport hub, managed by A-one+ on behalf of Highways England, required resurfacing to continue to provide visitors to the port with a faultless customer experience. FM Conway was subcontracted to carry out the works by A-one+.

Services used on this project Civil Engineering Aggregates, Asphalt and Concrete Surfacing Structures
Delivering Innovation

With the port active round the clock, any disruption created by the upgrade works needed to be kept to an absolute minimum. The project was restricted to a narrow working window with three 24-hour road closures over three consecutive weekends. 

Liam McGoldrick, Senior Contracts Manager at FM Conway, explains:
“The Port of Dover is a major national infrastructure asset and we knew that there was no room for error if we were to complete the project within the set timeframe. Planned like a military operation, we agreed the parameters of the scheme with A-one+.

“The scope of works was comprehensive. In addition to resurfacing the A20 and A2 with high-friction material, it covered drainage jetting and gully maintenance for the roads, lighting works and the replacement of all defected iron work with our guaranteed iron guard resin systems. We were also tasked with roundabout chevron maintenance and renewal of the light aggregate material for three arrestor beds, which help bring vehicles to a halt if there are any mechanical failures.”

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The scheme was carefully synchronised to both speed up delivery and prevent any clashes of our teams on site to protect their health and safety.

Liam McGoldrick – Senior Contracts Manager at FM Conway
The Challenge and Solutions

With such a complex schedule of works, and only seven days to plan the works, precise coordination between FM Conway’s teams was vital to minimise delays and guarantee both worker and public safety.

Liam continues: “FM Conway delivered the resurfacing works using asphalt material from our plant network to streamline the project and ensure reliability of supply. All the arisings from the scheme, including asphalt, light aggregate and gully waste, were tested and recycled at our facilities to cut the project’s environmental impact.”

Slick traffic management minimised disruption for road users, while the restriction of noisier works to daytime hours ensured residents could sleep soundly at night. FM Conway kept the Port of Dover regularly informed about the progress of the works so that it could plan activity around them.  

Liam adds: “Thanks to our meticulous planning and good working relationship with A-one+ and the port’s key stakeholders, we were able to finish our works within the tight timeframe and the Port of Dover is now a fit welcome for anyone visiting our shores.”