Initiatives in the A465 Community

Programme of Initiatives in the A465 Community

Description of the Environmental Measure

Problem detected:

The environment where FCC Construcción is undertaking the project to improve and extend the A465 motorway in Wales presents development indices that are below the UK's national average.

The local authorities, being aware of this and given the neeed to comply with the Well-being of Future Generations Act (WFGA) have found it necessary to boost the sustainable development of the region by carrying out projects, striving to maximise not only economicgrowth but also the well-being of the community.

The WFGA, which was enacted by the Welsh Government in 2015, requires all public bodies in Wales to consider the longterm impact of hteir decisions, in order to work better with communities and with each other, preventing such persistent issues as poverty, healthcare inequalities and climate change, by supporting the 7 Well-being Goals.

  • A Prosperous Wales
  • A Resilent Wales
  • A More Equals Wales
  • A Healthier Wales
  • A Wales of Cohesive Communities
  • A Wales of Vibrant Culture & Thriving Welsh Language
  • A Globally Responsible Wales

Future Valleys Construction has launched a community during the project to improve the legacy of these authorities and have a positive impact on these seven goals and, by extension, on the community.

Solutions adopted:

FCC Construcción, as a socially responsible company with considerable past experience of such actions, and with a view to meeting the specific needs and fulfilling the undertakings agreed with the Welsh Government, launched the A465 Community Initiatives Programme, targeted at not-for-profit organisations and groups in the Heads of the Valleys region, between Hirwaun and Dowlais Top.

This programme includes various social initiatives to improve and support these communities. The social actions carried out in 2022 include the following:

  • Donating a portable lighting rig and generator to the “Briar Bridleawys”, horse-riding group, so that they can extend their activities to the winter months, while enabling riders to avoid having to use the motorway because the local roads are unlit.
  • Planting devils bit scabious, a plant of considerable value for the region and a key component of the habitat of the marsh fritillary, together with students from Llywdcoed and Penywaun primary schools.
  • Organising the Girls in Engineering event, with female year-9 students from six schools in Merthyr and Rhondda Cynin Taf taking part and learning about the opportunities available to them on engineering courses and attracting more female talent to these sectors. A visit to the site was also featured.
  • Collecting funds for ASD Rainbows, an Aberdare-based charity that provides support for children and families in the Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taf areas affected by autistic-spectrum and related disorders.
  • Organising a session at the Greenfield school in Merthyr Tydfil, during which the challenge of planning and building bridges was laid out for the students. The aim of this session was to incentivise more students to opt for a career in engineering.
  • Visit by third-year civil-engineering students from Cardiff University. The purpose of this visit was to show the students first-hand how a project of this size is undertaken, so they could learn about and see how the various building techniques they have been learning about on their course are put into practice.

Results:

These actions not only enabled FCC Construcción to improve its community relations and answer questions and concerns, but they also had a highly positive effect on the community by conveying the importance of conserving the environment and to continue training.

The initiative won the Best Ongoing Relationship with a School category at the Careers Wales Valued Partners Awards 2022. This is the second time the company has won one of these awards, demonstrating the community's recognition of its actions.

Continuing with the programme, FCC Construcción assures that the project is carried out with a social approach that improves the resilience and quality of life of the communities affected. The company has also made a commitment to going beyond the social objectives demanded by the client, the Welsh Government, by taking on additional undertakings to improve the environment around the project and the quality of life of local people.