M25 junction 28 improvements - our work in the community
We want to make a positive difference for communities living near our roads, especially where we’re carrying out works. Here are some of the ways we've supported local communities around our M25 junction 28 improvement scheme
Drapers Pyrgo Priory School outdoor building painting volunteering
Volunteers from our M25 junction 28 team supported Drapers Pyrgo Priory School with their painting project to improve their school's appearance.
Our team painted the frontage of the school giving the school a fresh new look.
Trudy Spillane, Principal, said:
“A huge thank you to National Highways and Graham Construction volunteers who came and gave the school a face-lift in July. Even the school building will now be smart and ready for the September back-to-school start. The colour has not only had a thumbs-up from the children but also improved our energy rating. Thank you for making a difference to our community.”
Collecting eggs for charities - Easter 2024
Our site team has collected more than 100 Easter eggs for local charities.
We've delivered the eggs to two charities:
- SNAP, a Brentwood based charity supporting families with children and young people with additional needs or disability
- the Salvation Army, Harold Hill, who provide practical help and support for people in need in the community.
Supporting the Great British Spring Clean
In March 2023, our team took part in the Great British Spring Clean, litter picking along the A12. We collected 30 black bags of rubbish, including
- a pair of ski goggles
- a child’s electric car
- four industrial batteries
- a frying pan and cutlery
- multiple vapes and tobacco packets.
Project support officer Megan commented:
“We’re always keen to get stuck in where we can and do our part for the local community, and the Great British Spring Clean is a great opportunity for us to do that.”
Helping the local community
In early 2024, our volunteers planted over 1,000 different species of plants and deliver several tonnes of topsoil at the Gardens of Peace Muslim Cemetery
Farouk Ismail, Gardens of Peace Trustee said:
“We would like to express our thanks to the team for their great community spirit and goodwill by offering to supply topsoil and the workforce to carry out the planting in record time, notwithstanding the aches and pains that go with such work.
“We are delighted with the outcome and as a charity, we welcome and much appreciate your generous support for our community project.”
International Women’s Day
Our scheme celebrated International Women’s Day by bringing together women from:
- our organisation
- our construction partners
- representatives from the Construction Industry Training Board
Participants discussed the unique perspectives and contributions of women in the industry.
Assistant Project Manager Lauren said:
“I’m proud to be part of a team, and wider organisation, that not only has inspirational women at all levels, but supports and encourages equality and diversity."
Macmillan coffee morning
We supported Macmillan Cancer Support coffee morning with our own 'Bake-off' competition and cake sale, raising £413 for the charity.
One of our health and safety advisors has also been fundraising for the charity in memory of a close friend.
Together, our team have raised £1,500.
Supporting Harold Hill Deer Aid
Harold Hill Deer Aid is a non-funded, non-profit making charity made up of local residents. The charity responds to both deer and other wildlife incidents in this region. It works very closely with emergency services, rescuing animals and making sure they get veterinary treatment if needed.
We donated personal protective equipment to Harold Hill Deer Aid including
- hi-visibility clothing, boots and safety glasses
- tools and equipment, like torches and heavy-duty scissors
Harold Hill Deer Aid Volunteer, Jan Sergent, said:
“I would like to thank GRAHAM and National Highways for listening to our concerns and recommendations. The staff we have spoken with have been more than accommodating and have taken our group seriously which we greatly appreciate."
Charity volunteering at Christmas
Harold Hill Christmas light switch on
Organised by a group of volunteers, this event includes a Christmas market, fairground rides, entertainment and Santa's Grotto. We donated toys to make sure each child visiting the grotto received a gift.
Salvation Army
Volunteers from the scheme helped out at the Salvation Army Centre near our office in Guildford in December 2023:
- putting together Christmas food bags for families
- decoratig the centre for Christmas events
- organising the food bank ready for emergency food parcels.
The Trussell Trust
People need a helping hand and rely on food banks, especially around Christmas.
In 2023, we donated a range of food products and toiletries to The Trussell Trust's Brentwood foodbank.
Our Team also collected a range of children’s toys to donate towards the Trust's Christmas toy appeal.
Looking after wildlife at M25 junction 28
Fish relocation
We have to protect wildlife while we deliver our essential improvement scheme.
For example, in August 2023 we found a temporary new habitat for wildlife in Weald Brook.
We temporarily diverted Weald Brook while installing the new Maylands and Grove bridges. This meant relocating approximately 600 fish and 12 other species to a new home, including
- several Bullhead fish, |listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species
- a 50cm long European eel
We'll return the brook to its natural route and replace wildlife once our works are complete.
Animal crossing at Grove Brook culvert
We're installing a culvert carrying Grove Brook under the new exit for traffic leaving the A12 eastbound.
A concrete 'mammal shelf' runs above water-level for the length of the culvert. This allows small animals to cross safely beneath the road, without the risk of drowning or being run over.
It's one of the ways we're using to protect wildlife and connect habitats.
Archaeology at the site of Maylands aerodrome
Our M25 junction 28 site covers the location of the former Maylands aerodrome.
Maylands aerodrome was once home to Hillman’s Airways, a pioneer of package holidays. With our assistance, archaeologists are learning more about this historic site.
They've found artefacts not only from the aerodrome's history, but aslo far earlier objects. These include a 7,000 year-old axe head dating from the Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) period. Finds now form part of a new display at RAF Horncurch Heritage Centre.
By taking a considerate approach to our work today, we can preserve the work of engineers and pioneers of the past.
