Godnow Road Highway Reconstruction and Drainage Scheme

Overview

Mason Clark Associates (MCA) was appointed by North Lincolnshire Council to provide civil engineering, CDM Principal Designer duties and cost consultancy for the full reconstruction of Godnow Road, a residential route in Crowle. The works included new highway drainage, major foul sewer installation on behalf of Severn Trent Water, and upgrades to footpaths, junctions, and driveways along the 850m route.

The scheme forms part of a wider investment in flood defence and infrastructure improvements in the Isle of Axholme, supporting local resilience and access.

Challenges and Solutions

This project presented several challenges:

• Ground conditions: CBR values as low as 0.5% required innovative solutions. We worked with geogrid specialists to form stable foundations without deep and costly excavations.
• Drainage complexity: the drainage design had to integrate with Severn Trent’s foul sewer and the IDB’s new surface outfalls, all while avoiding clashes with existing statutory services. This also was challenging to provide sufficient storm storage in the new surface water drainage system.
• Live systems: surface and foul drainage remained active during works, requiring a temporary pump and phased installation to ensure continuity.
• Resident and emergency access: the scheme affected over 80 homes; our design and phasing maintained continuous access and minimised disruption.
• Multi-agency coordination: regular liaison with the Council, IDB, Severn Trent and contractors ensured smooth delivery across eight construction phases.

MCA's Contribution

We delivered a range of technical and design services, including:

• Full scheme design including road reconstruction, drainage and junction upgrades
• CDM Principal Designer duties and F10 notifications
• Design and detailing of surface and foul water drainage systems
• Liaison with Severn Trent Water and the Internal Drainage Board (IDB)
• Coordination of works affecting over 80 properties with direct highway access
• Topographical review and level analysis to resolve surface drainage constraints
• Use of geogrid technology to form a robust road foundation in poor ground conditions
• Preparation of contract documents, BoQ, and tender packages
• Supported North Lincolnshire team for public consultations with local residents

Results

The works were completed in 2024, delivering a fully reconstructed highway, improved drainage infrastructure, and safer access for residents.

• The scheme has strengthened flood resilience across the area, complementing wider upgrades at Keadby Pumping Station.
• Local feedback from North Lincolnshire Council and residents was positive, recognising the quality of the finished works despite the project’s technical and logistical challenges.
• Lessons learned and collaboration between MCA, the client, and contractors have laid a strong foundation for future infrastructure schemes across the region.