The first phase of a new Redrow Homes housing development is starting to take shape as subcontractors, Fox (Owmby) Ltd begin work on site at Chamberlin Barns in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire.

The 95 hectare development, when finished, will consist of 950 homes, a new school, shops and spine road, with Redrow Homes developing the first 300 homes (30 affordable homes and 269 private sale properties) on the former quarry site.

Market Rasen based contractors, Fox (Ownby) Ltd looked at a host of sustainable drainage solutions before starting the project and contacted Marshalls Civils and Drainage to see if they could answer the challenge of lowering the carbon footprint of construction whilst still being of the highest quality.

With this in mind, Marshalls Civils and Drainage proposed the Perfect Manhole solution for use in 1200mm, 1500mm and 1800mm manhole requirements, as a study by Carbon Clear found that the precast sealed manhole system has a 30 to 43% lower carbon footprint than plastic manholes and traditional box based sections and that by using concrete pipes they could save 35% in the carbon footprint compared to plastic pipes.

Jo Wallace-Blaker, Trading Manager, for Marshalls Civils and Drainage said: “We offered Fox (Owmby) Ltd, the Perfect Manhole system as sealed manhole are quick and easy to install and have significant health and safety benefits, as there is no working in confined spaces.”

James Stewart from Fox (Owmby) Ltd commented: “this is the first time we have used the Marshalls Civils and Drainage sealed system and we can’t believe how easy it is, with all the benefits that it offers we will continue to install the Perfect Manhole solution.”

The sealed system is designed and manufactured to last a minimum of 120 years and complies with BSEN 1917:2002 and BS5911-3 and has been accepted for use by all major UK companies.