Blackheath Town Centre & Bus Interchange

Overview
Part of the Rowley Regis Towns Fund Programme, the aim of the Blackheath Interchange and Public Realm project was to encourage more people to visit Blackheath town centre with reduced traffic speed and congestion through town centre streets and create an inviting public space at the heart of the town centre.

The project delivered:

a new bus interchange implemented around Market Place for all Blackheath Town Centre services

a landscaped public space in Market Place

five new Zebra crossings

improved pavements around Market Place (decluttered and some widened)

more loading spaces closer to businesses

Challenges
The delivery of the Blackheath Interchange presented a series of operational, logistical, and stakeholder-related challenges, that required careful coordination and proactive management. As a busy, urban environment with constrained road space, the town centre required a construction approach that balanced the needs of road users, public transport providers, local businesses, and the community.

A primary challenge was maintaining traffic flow during construction. Rowley Regis experiences regular congestion, and any lane closures, road closures, or temporary traffic controls were likely to significantly impact journey times. Ensuring safe, efficient movement for vehicles and pedestrians while works progressed was essential to avoiding congestion.

Bus services are central to local mobility, and any route diversions, stop relocations, or timetable impacts had to be minimised. Collaboration was required to maintain reliable operations and ensure passengers received clear, timely information about changes.

The project also directly affected shop owners and town-centre businesses. Construction activity risked reducing footfall, restricting access, and disrupting deliveries. Supporting business continuity through tailored access arrangements, consistent communication, and mitigation measures was critical to maintaining economic activity during the works.

Our approach
To maintain traffic and pedestrian movement through the town centre, we prioritised completing the elements of the project with the greatest traffic impact during night-time works at the beginning of the programme.

This approach allowed the remainder of the scheme to be delivered under temporary traffic signals, maintaining one-way traffic flow throughout. Not only was this the safest solution for pedestrians and the workforce, but it also ensured that vehicles entering the town centre could move freely and avoid congestion.

Final surfacing works and associated road closures were also carried out at night toward the end of the project.

Weekly meetings with bus operators ensured they were fully informed of progress and any potential changes. This close coordination helped maintain service reliability at all times and allowed temporary bus stops to be installed where required.

Stakeholder engagement played a major role in the successful delivery of the scheme. Certain work areas were avoided on market days to minimise disruption to trade, and regular consultation with business owners was maintained throughout. This open communication created strong relationships with local traders, who were able to contact the site team directly whenever needed.

Outcome
The project was delivered on time and within budget.

A key factor contributing to this success was the contractor’s proposal to plane the existing footways rather than fully reconstruct them. This approach not only reduced programme duration but also eliminated the need for daytime footway closures, ensuring uninterrupted pedestrian access to all shops throughout the works.

Defects were monitored and addressed during construction, with only minor outstanding items deferred due to the Christmas embargo. The project achieved an excellent safety record, with zero RIDDOR-reportable incidents and zero service strikes over the entire delivery period.

Benefits & added value
We committed to, and successfully delivered on, spending 60% of the project cost locally (within a 20-mile radius). This ensured that the investment directly supported the local economy. We also engaged with nearby businesses, offering them the opportunity to supply the plants and shrubs for the landscaping, helping to strengthen trade within the town centre.

Upon completion of the project, we arranged for a specialist contractor to clean all shopfronts and windows so the entire area was left looking its best. In addition, we provided the road closure required for the safe switch-on of the Christmas lights and supplied gifts that were distributed at the event.

Client Testimonial
“McPhillips demonstrated high quality workmanship throughout the project, that was delivered on time and within budget. Exemplary stakeholder engagement and regular communication with supply chain partners and public services helped develop strong working relationships, which proved key to ensuring minimal disruption to traffic flow and pedestrian movement for the duration of the works.”
Steve Scrivens – Senior Design & Delivery Engineer (Sandwell MBC)

Testimonials

"The site manager and assistant site manger did a fantastic job on the scheme, they were friendly, reliable, professional and their experience on managing the subcontract labour and technical ability was second to none."

Ian Lowe, BIT Group

"McPhillips (Wellington) Ltd undertook the construction of a recent public realm scheme in Shrewsbury, they provided traffic and pedestrian management to manage the construction of the scheme in a busy urban area, with high pedestrian footfall. All civils and re-paving works were completed to a high standard and in a tidy, productive and efficient manner. They were able to engage with Shrewsbury BID to aid in the planning of events, as well as liaising with local businesses and shops to minimise impact. They worked effectively and efficiently to complete works to the accepted programme and administered the contract well using web based management systems. There were good working relationships between all parties, and their on-site management of personnel was excellent."

Scott Hughes, WSP

"McPhillips were good to work with and they were always keen to resolve any issues or complications which obviously occur on such a large and complex project, probably the biggest S278 Worcestershire has ever dealt with."

Sally Everest, Worcestershire County Council

"Having been the first time we have used McPhillips as a main contractor we have been impressed at the ease at which we have developed a good working relationship to enable the project to be maintained to timeline and budget incorporating both additional work items and some more unusual occurrences on-site."

Richard Allen, London & Cambridge Properties

"We will most certainly use McPhillips again and we will have no hesitation in recommending you to other schools and colleges."

Sheena Hodgson, The Westwood Academy

"The site delivery team were extremely helpful. The site was clearly always orderly, fully resourced and well managed throughout. The workmanship was of the highest quality and the project was delivered on-time and within budget providing The Wrekin Housing Trust with a facility of which we are justifiably proud. Overall WHT is more than happy with McPhillips’ performance on Oakwood and wouldn’t hesitate to work with them again in the future."

Karen Lloyd, The Wrekin Housing Trust

"I will have no hesitation in employing McPhillips on other projects and therefore look forward to working with you again; it was a pleasure working with you and your team, demonstrating a positive approach throughout the project."

Mike Steele, Birmingham City Council

"The quality of the work provided is always of a high standard and every effort is made to accommodate the needs of businesses and residents impacted by the work. With regard to project management, I found the management team and site staff to be amenable at all times. I would highly recommend McPhillips to be considered for any highway regeneration projects or similar works."

Steve Hollins, Telford & Wrekin Council

"McPhillips carried out work for Adams’ Grammar School between May and September 2013. They did so under some stringent conditions imposed by the school and performed admirably to meet significant deadlines. Their work on site was also very impressive; their site manager was most professional and worked seamlessly with our own employee when there needed to be alterations/modifications. They worked very easily around children and kept an appropriate distance from our own work. When it came closer to the deadlines they produced work at an impressive speed in order that we were able to open on time. We will certainly use them again."

Michael Barrett, Adams' Grammar School

"I can truly say that I could not wish to have worked in conjunction with a more impressive and agreeable contractor than McPhillips. Many thanks for the experience."

Peter Oughton, Dogs Trust

"We’re delighted with the work carried out by McPhillips. Thanks to their excellent building and civil engineering experience and skills we’ve been able to create an enriched environment for our dogs."

Clarissa Baldwin OBE, Dogs Trust

"We have no hesitation recommending McPhillips and look forward to the opportunity of working with them in the future."

Pam Edwards, The Wrekin Housing Trust

"McPhillips and their team were professional and efficient from tender stage through to contract completion, with a can do attitude that brought the scheme in on time and on budget within tight constraints."

Bob Nicholson, Pochin Developments

"Everyone has commented favourably on the quality of workmanship and the professional, courteous and organised approach of the men involved. As a consequence, the work was completed to a very high standard, in a very short time with the minimum of noise and disruption to residents."

Diane Peacock, Pengrove Residents Association

"McPhillips performed extremely well with a high quality of workmanship and a professional approach in dealing with the public and businesses in a very busy part of the town. I can confidently recommend McPhillips as a competent and professional contractor and since this scheme, I have worked with them on various projects and would be pleased to work with them again in the future."

Karl Farrow, Cheshire West & Chester Council

"I would have no hesitation in recommending McPhillips."

Paul Harris, Shropshire Council

"The team from McPhillips remained positive and proactive throughout, working with the Council's team to find solutions and deliver an enabled site which was fit for purpose. Their can-do attitude and pragmatic approach has been essential in delivering a successful project for the Council."

Kate Turner, Telford and Wrekin Council

"McPhillips has an excellent understanding of the client's needs and works collaboratively to achieve a quality product."

Peter Parker, Birmingham City Council

“Choosing the right construction partner for our development was crucial. McPhillips proved to be the perfect choice, demonstrating exceptional expertise in delivering precisely what our operation needed. As a Telford-based business ourselves, it was particularly satisfying to work with a local construction partner who understood our needs and delivered such high-quality results. The new facility has significantly enhanced our operational capabilities, and McPhillips’ professional approach made the entire process smooth and efficient."

Robin Dale, Dale Brothers

Blackheath Town Centre & Bus Interchange

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