Matthew Boulton College

Former Matthew Boulton College, Birmingham

15 Storey Tower, 10 Storey Tower, Associated 3 and 4 Storey Blocks, St Lukes Training Centre, St Lukes Junior & Infants School and Reaside Nursery School

Coleman & Company were appointed Principal Contractor to demolish the former Matthew Boulton College, Birmingham. The appointment was secured following delivery of other successful projects for the Client and our reputable and exemplary health & safety record. Due to the location of the site, safety was paramount and an overriding factor in the Client’s decision to award the contract.

The project comprised the demolition of a 15 storey teaching block, a 10 storey teaching block and associated 3 and 4 storey teaching blocks located on 3 neighbouring sites covering 4 hectares. During the works the Client acquired the adjacent St Lukes Junior & Infants School and Reaside Nursery School. The contract was consequently extended by negotiation to include the 2 schools. Extensive asbestos removal works were completed in advance of the demolition including cutting-edge methods for removing external asbestos panels from inside the 15 storey block.

The demolition works were undertaken using an array of demolition machinery and attachments and saw the Ultra High Reach and High Reach Machine working in tandem on site. The 15 storey tower was demolished using the 984, 65 metre Ultra High Reach Machine. Due to its location innovative methods of dust suppression, including inventive usage of a cherry picker and a bespoke dust screen were employed to prevent dust travelling to the adjacent prestigious car dealerships. The 984 was also utilised on bucket configuration to remove the foundations thus minimising vibration.

The 850, 40 metre high High Reach Machine was used to demolish the 10 storey tower located within 7 metres of Belgrave Middleway at the busy A441/A4540 interchange. Working closely with Birmingham City Council a strict traffic management plan was designed and implemented to ease traffic disruption around Birmingham during the City’s Christmas traffic embargo. Generally during this period up to Christmas no traffic restrictions are permitted whatsoever.

The material was crushed and certified to 6F2 and left on site for subsequent redevelopment purposes. The 6F2 was overlain with geosynthetic material and topsoil, reclaimed from Advantage West Midland’s nearby Pebble Mill site. A close working relationship was developed with the Client during the course of the works which allowed flexibility of resources and resulted in completion of the works and the additional works all within the original contract programme.