Chris Holt

Said the following about Michael Frew:

“Michael was the Geotechnical ‘Contractor’s Responsible Engineer’ role for two extremely challenging rail projects in 2019, both for BAM Nuttall:

• HEP East – Aberdeen to Inverurie: GRIP 5, detailed design of widened earthworks and retention to accommodate a second track

• Perth, Muirton Stabling Yard: GRIP 4, AiP design for numerous structures, permanent way, roads, drainage and slope retention

He managed, co-ordinated and technically led the geotechnical teams, completed design and report checks and/or reviews, and supported site teams during construction operations. The HEP East team at peak involved 20 geotechnical engineers/geologists/technicians based in three different offices, all working to deliver detailed design submissions for the 28km scheme. Michael co-ordinated and led these activities alongside delivering CRE duties such as cross discipline liaison with design partners and input to cross discipline design reviews in line with Network Rail and BAM Nuttall governance schemes. He selected a lean highly experienced team for the Perth scheme as the commercial and programme requirements required a greater degree of initial engineering judgement to determine cost effective but robust solutions, whilst being able to react to change.

Both projects required cross discipline liaison, input of design reviews, FO1 or FO3 submissions. The most challenging aspects of these two projects are described below:

• HEP East - a major linear development without powers of compulsory land purchase leading to existing earthwork slopes being steepened or retention being added to facilitate introduction of a second track. Challenging ground conditions, flood risk and programme mis-alignment between disciplines all contributed to a very challenging project. The team included two geotechnical engineers to support the Contractor during the construction period, much of which was undertaken when the existing, single track was live. Michael co-ordinated office support to the site works and managed the ‘Field Change’ system for the earthworks elements to reflect as-encountered conditions or achieve enhanced value solutions. The dualled track was opened to passenger trains in August 2019, to budget and programme, the earthworks being on the critical path.

• Perth, Muirton Yard - challenging ground conditions created a high risk of excessive settlement across the site but particularly within the stabling area. This risk was communicated through a series of meetings with Network Rail and the Contractor and led to the P-Way alignment being amended to remove upfill and hence control settlements to acceptable levels, rather than ground improvement which carried some uncertainty due to the complexities of the ground conditions. He also achieved efficient team working to develop the geotechnical design as ground investigation information was received in stages during the design process. This project is an example of Michael’s ability to encourage and achieve an integrated approach considering technical, commercial and safety issues in a holistic manner.“

Gillian Nicol

Said the following about Michael Frew:

“Michael is a very effective team leader and was pivotal for the delivery of both schemes. Michael is pragmatic when identifying and assessing technical solutions. He is very capable at communicating key issues and solutions with the Client and working collaboratively to ensure optimum solutions are implemented.“

Ian McWhinnie

Said the following about Michael Frew:

“I worked closely with Michael in the early days of the HEP East A2I contract, liaising on preferred design solutions during the tender submission. Michael’s professional attitude and personal manner ensured these weekly meetings were always positive with progress always being made. Look forward to working with Michael and his team on the next project.“

Richie Greer

Said the following about Michael Frew:

“Michael did a fantastic job of leading our design team through a tough period. Michael had to manage programme mis-alignment between disciplines to ensure that changes by interfacing disciplines were captured within the earthworks design. During construction Michael managed office based design support for value engineered earthwork solution changes as well as enforced changes due to changing on site conditions. This lead to him making himself available for calls from the designer’s site representatives at unsociable hours.“

Dawn Docherty

Said the following about Michael Frew:

“Michael is outstanding, technically and as a leader/team worker/ motivator“