NEWSLETTER PUBLIC PARK AT RAVENSCRAIG

DECEMBER 2019

Welcome to our first newsletter regarding the park

construction at Ravenscraig.

Now that our works are well underway, this is the

first of a series of newsletters that will provide you

with an update on how our work is progressing

and the various community initiatives planned for

now, during and after the works are complete.

You may be aware that the new park is only a

small part of a much wider masterplan which will

create new communities and support economic

growth, enhance education and produce

sustainable environmental and social benefits.

The development of the park at Ravenscraig is the

first part of this masterplan and is fundamentally

important in providing local opportunities for:

Accessible play and recreation

Sports, health and leisure for people of all ages

Families and communities to enjoy a high

quality green environment

Introduction

Who is idverde ?

idverde Ltd is Europe’s and the UK’s largest

landscaping company, offering Design and

Build services, from civil engineering through to

landscape construction and associated

landscaping services such as grounds

maintenance and arboriculture. We believe in

providing a local service delivered by local

people across all of our work streams. Much

more detail is provided at our website,

www.idverde.co.uk

Park Facilities

The park will meet a range of interests, from

enjoying nature to physical exercise. Facilities will

comprise:

· Accessible and adventure play areas

· An outdoor gym, a sports pitch and an exercise

track

· A visitor hub / kiosk

· An events area

· Walking and cycling routes

· A sensory garden and quiet seating areas

Work completed since August

We have completed a large amount of subsoil and

topsoil importation to the grass and meadow areas.

Installation of the lighting duct infrastructure

needed for the footpaths and exercise tracks

throughout the park are well underway.

What are we working on currently?

We are currently working on the installation of the

utility services needed for the community hub/kiosk

and continue with the preparation needed for the

community pitch, exercise tracks and urban gym

area.

What work is continuing during the

winter months?

As weather permits, we will continue to

develop the landscape areas, exercise tracks

and the play, gym and events areas.

You will start to see the design features

emerging as our path edges are installed and

your new park will really start to take shape

into the New Year.

At the perimeter we will also begin some soft

landscaping, with subsoil and topsoil for

woodland planting and hedging.

WORKS TO DATE

You will have witnessed work ongoing on the site

since early June 2019. The first stage of works

involved the removal of the remaining foundations

and structures following the demolition of the site

during the late 1990’s and early 2000’s.

This advanced work was carried out during

summer 2019 by VHE Construction Ltd who

carried out preparatory ground works and

remediation at the site, handing over to idverde

Ltd in August 2019.

idverde‘s contract is for the final detailed design

and the construction of the park. Works involve the development of the path network, the landscaped

areas, and the basis of your adventure play areas, football pitch, events area and kiosk including many

other great features that will support the health and wellbeing of the community well into the future.

Whilst the works are ongoing on site, our team has been working with local schools to support the

design and artwork needed for the climbing walls which form part of the adventure play area.

HEALTH & SAFETY ON SITE

The health and safety of the general public and our workforce is of paramount importance to idverde

on all of our contracts. We work hard to ensure we practice the highest standards of health and safety

as we go about our day to day business. Major construction projects, such as the construction of the

park at Ravenscraig, can pose health and safety risks if not treated with respect, caution and the

appropriate procedures. Moving plant and machinery, potentially hazardous materials, pits, holes and

trenches on site are among the potential risks.

To minimise these risks to members of the public, the whole construction site is fenced off for the

duration of the contract. Members of the public should not attempt to enter or cross the site while it

remains fenced off. In particular, children should be reminded about the potential risks and dangers

associated with working construction sites and that they should not enter the site unless accompanied

by idverde qualified personnel. Local residents can report any matters of concern about health and

safety or security by contacting us on 0141 471 8400.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

To support the long term success of your community park, North Lanarkshire Council and idverde are

fully committed to maximising benefits for local people.

Education

We will be working with your local primary and secondary schools to support curriculum topics that

would have a direct bearing on the long term success of your park.

These include an understanding of how plants are grown for food, as well as the important ecosystem

benefits brought about by pollination and encouraging insects, birds and mammals to live in peace

around the park. Our partners at the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) will be providing

classroom support and engaging local children and young adults in their national initiatives.

These programmes will run until 2022.

Employment

Through the benefits gained by the investment in the area, it is fundamental that we take the

opportunity to promote skills development and local employment.

Our aim is to provide opportunities for multiple groups including:

Getting school children involved in the development of the park

Supporting skills development and modern apprenticeships with further education students

Offering employment places at various skills levels:

entry-level jobs

re-training, for example where people previously worked in a different industry

graduate placements

project management

commercial management jobs, such as Quantity Surveying

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

We are currently building programmes with:

secondary schools to provide work experience;

New College Lanarkshire for work placements;

and North Lanarkshire Council’s employability

team and partners, to provide new employment

and apprenticeship opportunities for local people.

Our programmes are explained further below/

opposite.

Work Experience: We will be offering work

experience placements or tasters for young

people interested in general groundworks,

labouring, grounds maintenance or environmental

studies.

Training and Employment:

We have committed to offering five full time local

job opportunities. These individuals will have the

opportunity to undertake a Modern

Apprenticeship at SVQ Level 2, for example in

General Construction or Grounds Maintenance.

idverde’s aim is to retain these individuals in

employment at the end of their apprenticeship.

Each new employee will also undertake

mandatory certification, enabling them to sustain

employment, within idverde or the construction

industry generally.

For information on available jobs, please contact

McCaigda@northlan.gov.uk

ENGAGEMENT

Community Park Group

The park is being developed for the community

and, as such, North Lanarkshire Council are

keen that the community takes an active role in

making the park theirs. If you would like to

participate in any groups that will meet for the

purpose of getting the best out of your park,

please contact Jonathan Speed at: speedj@northlan.gov.uk

This could be involvement in:

a group that promotes and runs events, such as Gala Days, Fun Runs etc

a group that is involved in environmental issues, such as biodiversity

a group that leads educational outcomes

any other group with an interest that supports the success of the park

USEFUL INFORMATION: To get more information about the progress on the park, you can:

Visit the web page at www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/ravenscraigpark

Follow on social media: @idverdenorth idverde Scotland and North

Email: infonorth@idverde.co.uk Call: 0141 471 8400

Write to: Ravenscraig Project Team, idverde Ltd, 1st Floor, 3 Cambuslang Court, G32 8FH

We will endeavour to respond to all requests for further information as quickly as possible.

To ensure that we protect the environment, future newsletters will be produced in electronic versions (rather than print) which can be emailed to everyone who requests a copy. The newsletter will also be available to view/download online.