Shanco Contracts

11/11/2025

As the winter months approach, site conditions shift - and so must our safety considerations.

At Shanco, we know that managing large-scale, complex groundworks safely means thinking ahead. Changing light levels, wetter ground, and lower temperatures all introduce new risks, but with proactive planning, those risks can be controlled.

Here are a few key areas we always review across our sites at this time of year:
💡 Lighting: Shorter days mean reduced visibility. We assess site lighting early, ensuring adequate illumination in work zones, walkways, and plant routes to maintain clear visibility and safe operations.
🌧️ Ground Conditions: Wet, soft or frozen ground affects both people and machinery. Regular ground assessments and adapted plant movement routes are critical to keeping everyone safe and productive and ensuring the quality of the final product delivered.
🧊 Slip and Trip Prevention: Pre-planning for site locations and hardstandings in the enabling phase, and maintenance through the project, help minimise hazards in high-traffic areas, especially near cabins and welfare units.
🧥 Welfare & Drying Facilities: Having suitable drying rooms isn’t a luxury - it’s part of maintaining health, safety and morale. Dry PPE and warm facilities reduce fatigue and support worker wellbeing.

Winter working isn’t about reacting to conditions; it’s about anticipating them. For Shanco, this forward planning is part of our DNA - from early engagement and sequencing to daily safety checks on the ground.

By preparing our teams and our sites now, we keep our projects moving safely and efficiently, whatever the weather brings.

03/10/2025

🚧 Why Excavation Safety Matters in Groundworks

Striking buried services remains one of the highest risks in groundworks. At Shanco, we don’t leave safety to chance - we combine specialist training with the latest vacuum excavation technology to protect people, projects and infrastructure.

✅ Safety first - Minimises risk of live service strikes
✅ Reduced disruption - Safe access to areas where traditional plant or hand digging would be high risk
✅ Efficiency - Targeted, non-destructive excavation delivered faster

Our operatives are trained directly by Vac-Ex Ltd, supported by Shanco’s own buried services procedures, ensuring every excavation is completed safely, effectively and right first time.

For us, excavation procedures aren’t just about equipment - it’s about embedding a culture of safety, collaboration and accountability on every project.

18/09/2025

🏃‍♂️ Earlier this month, Stephen and Declan laced up their running shoes and took on the AJ Bell Great North Run Half Marathon — all in support of Your Voice Counts 💙

Your Voice Counts is an incredible charity that supports:
✨ People with learning disabilities
✨ Autistic people
✨ Those at risk of exclusion due to disability, illness or other challenges

At Shanco, we’re proud to see our people actively supporting causes that strengthen communities and make a real difference. A huge shout-out to Stephen and Declan for completing the 13.1 miles and raising awareness (and funds) for such a worthwhile cause 👏

If you’d like to support their fundraising efforts, you can donate here: https://1l.ink/RFNK8FF 🙌

About us 60,000 determined and dedicated runners make the AJ Bell Great North Run the World’s biggest and best half marathon – famous for its warm North East welcome, unbeatable atmosphere and the mil

10/09/2025

💜 Today is World Su***de Prevention Day.

We know that construction can be a tough industry, and behind all the hard work it’s vital to remember the people at the heart of it. At Shanco, we're honoured to be known as a national groundworks partner that cares, and that doesn't just mean caring about safety on site and getting the job done, but also caring about the mental health and wellbeing of our team and people as a whole.

That’s why we’re proud to support The Lighthouse Charity, who provide life-saving mental health and wellbeing services to our industry.

Together, we can make a difference by:
✨ Raising awareness and breaking the stigma around mental health
🫱🏻‍🫲🏾 Checking in on colleagues and supporting one another
🌱 Helping ensure every worker has access to the right support when it’s needed most
⛑️ Investing in the right people and training to provide that support (such as the six fully qualified mental health first-aiders we've invested in, so far)

No one should ever feel they have to face their struggles alone. Every conversation, every check-in, and every pledge makes a difference.

👉🏻 Join us in raising awareness and supporting this essential cause: https://tinyurl.com/3undbw2h

***dePreventionDay

03/09/2025

🌍 How do specialist groundworks contribute to building the net zero schools of the future?

When Galliford Try needed a dependable groundworks partner to deliver Phase 4 of Greenhead College’s net-zero redevelopment, they turned to Shanco. Our team delivered the specialist groundworks that prepared the site for a major sustainable development - one designed to support the college’s growth and the UK’s wider goal of energy-efficient education facilities.

This project demanded careful planning, zero-compromise safety standards, and seamless collaboration with the wider team. By combining expertise with a commitment to quality, we set the foundations for a project that aligns with the UK’s net zero ambitions.

💡 Another example of how Shanco delivers with confidence on complex, future-ready projects.

📢 Read the full case study here: https://tinyurl.com/z5n49hz9

29/08/2025

Friday Feedback 🌟

This week’s feedback comes from Warwickshire County Council, following the completion of our S.278 and S.50 works in Nuneaton:

📍 115m S.278 scheme – removing two existing site entrances and forming a new one
💧 S.50 drainage works – 3m deep surface water connection from a new care home across the road, plus new gullies to resolve a long-standing ponding issue
🚧 Delivered in two phases to keep a vital link road open throughout
🛠️ Vac-Ex and sheet piling used to safely navigate unknown services and provide ground support

Our first engagement began back in November 2023. Thanks to early collaboration between Shanco, our client, and the council, we were able to deliver the S.50 works by July 2024 and the S.278 package in May 2025 – on time, with quality, and with everyone aligned from the outset.

Here’s what the Development Engineer from Warwickshire County Council had to say:

“We’d like to send our appreciation for the detailed management of the S.278 works, timely completion, and high quality of the installed works. This was a complicated scheme with existing services and drainage complexities, and Shanco delivered it to a very high standard. Thank you for your efforts on this scheme.”

Shout out to our site team for all their hard work on this project, and achieving such positive feedback from the client! 👏🏻

24/08/2025

👀 Ever wondered what it takes to deliver complex groundworks right in the middle of a live college campus?

This drone footage from our project at Greenhead College captures exactly that. From deep foundations to intricate drainage, every phase was meticulously planned and executed — all while ensuring zero disruption to students and staff. Not every contractor can rise to that challenge.

For our clients, that means:
✅ A safe, compliant site with no reputational risk
✅ A programme that stays on track
✅ Peace of mind knowing we’ve done this across live hospitals, schools, prisons and care facilities nationwide

This is what sets Shanco apart: meticulous planning, trusted delivery, and a team experienced in the most complex environments.

🔍 Our full case study is coming soon — but for now, here’s a sneak peek from above.

20/08/2025

🚧 Expanding HMP Hatfield – Delivered Safely, On Time, and Without Disruption

When tasked with expanding HMP Hatfield, a Category D prison facility, our team knew that speed, precision, and safety would be critical.

Working in a live, secure environment, we:
🔹 Delivered a new two-storey, 60-bed modular housing block;
🔹 Installed a new storage container facility;
🔹 Refurbished the healthcare block to create a new dentistry area.

The project demanded complex engineering solutions and meticulous planning to ensure zero disruption to prison operations – and that’s exactly what we achieved.

With a security-cleared workforce, proven experience in live environments, and a commitment to quality without compromise, we were able to complete the expansion on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of safety and compliance.

🔍 Read the full case study here: https://1l.ink/8KGTP7M

09/08/2025

At Shanco Contracts, we believe that great groundworks don’t just start with solid planning—they start with a commitment to safety.

With high-risk environments and heavy machinery part of daily life on site, health and safety isn’t just a box-ticking exercise; it’s a culture. Here are three principles we follow to maintain high standards across all our projects:

✅ 1. Prioritise Planning: Every site setup begins with detailed analysis of the available information, to include controls in the risk assessments and method statements. We identify hazards before a spade hits the ground.

👷 2. Invest in Training: Our teams undergo continuous training—not just on regulations, but on real-world scenarios that build practical, instinctive safety awareness.

📣 3. Keep Communication Clear: Toolbox talks, clear signage, and open channels between site staff, supervisors and clients ensure no safety concern goes unheard.

We’re proud of our safety record—but more than that, we’re proud of the way our teams take ownership of it.

🔎 If you’re a developer or contractor looking for a groundworks partner who puts safety first, let’s talk.

31/07/2025

🚧 We're Hiring: Site Engineer 🚧
Shanco Contracts is on the lookout for a detail-driven and proactive Site Engineer to join our friendly and growing team.

Known for delivering high-quality groundwork solutions, we’re looking for someone who’s confident on-site, communicates clearly, and brings a strong focus on safety and precision.

In this role, you’ll:
✔️ Liaise with client teams to gather essential setting out data and construction details;
✔️ Carry out accurate setting out on active projects;
✔️ Complete level surveys before, during and after works;
✔️ Collaborate closely with our Quantity Surveyor to manage scope, pricing, and variations;
✔️ Promote safe working practices and support Health & Safety compliance on site.

What you'll get in return:
🟢 A supportive team culture;
🟢 Meaningful work across public sector, infrastructure, and modular builds;
🟢 A company that lives its values, not just posts them on a wall.

Whether you're already in the industry or looking for a new challenge with a company that values integrity, technical excellence and teamwork—we want to hear from you.

📩 To apply or learn more, send us a message or head over to https://www.shanco.co.uk/vacancy/site-engineer/

24/07/2025

Planning a new construction or development project? 🚜 Before the first bucket hits the ground, here are 5 key things you should think about to make sure your groundwork project goes smoothly:

1️⃣ Site Surveys & Ground Investigations
These aren't just a tick-box - they help you understand what's beneath your site, from soil types and contaminations to buried services. The earlier you know, the better you plan.

2️⃣ Access & Logistics
Can wagons, machines and material deliveries get in and out safely, without disrupting neighbours or holding up the job? Good logistics upfront keep things moving.

3️⃣ Drainage & Water Management
Temporary and permanent drainage isn't something to leave last minute. Accurate water management protects your site - and your programme.

4️⃣ Programme & Lead Times
From service diversions to permits and sign-offs, some groundwork tasks take longer than you think. Build it into the plan - not around the problem!

5️⃣ Choose the right Groundworks partner
It’s not just about getting the job done - it’s about getting it done right. Look for experience, a great safety record, and a proactive approach with early engagement.

At Shanco Contracts, we support our clients from day one - helping you plan smart, stay compliant, and hit the ground running. Need guidance on a potential project? Let’s have a chat 👷‍♂️💬

17/07/2025

At Shanco Contracts, we believe that investing in young talent is investing in the future of our industry. That’s why we’re incredibly proud to celebrate that Joey Houston, who recently undertook some work experience with us, has just been named Student of the Year! 🎉 at Castleford College. Joey will be joining us for a summer placement in August, before he begins his Civil Engineering Technician apprenticeship in September, through the college.

Joey has brought drive, curiosity and a can-do attitude throughout his initial time with us – a true reflection of the next generation of skilled professionals – and we can't wait to see how he thrives through the apprenticeship. His recognition is not just well deserved, but a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when education and industry work hand in hand.

As we continue to support rising stars like Joey, we’re also looking to the future of groundworks. Shanco Contracts is in the early stages of adopting AI technologies to help streamline operations, boost efficiency, and make smarter decisions on site and in the office. Early days, but exciting times ahead 🤖📈

Here’s to investing in people, embracing change, and building better — together.