1st June 2005, 02:15 PM
Interesting things there and lots of stuff to comment on.
Planners - CK has it right from where I sit. We advise, PPG 16 in non statutory, and sometimes you have to pick your battles, and get the best you can. Or call the papers??
Sometimes I think that some standard guidance across counties/unitary districts etc may level responses and such, and make things easier for the contracting units. But then you run the risk of being too rigid. I think ALGAO is trying to address this through regional agendas.
I try to visit excavations weekly or every two weeks - depends what they're up to and how far away, all evaluations, but not generally watching briefs. If a unit I know and trust has a negative evaluation that's fairly small (10 trenches or less) I probablly won't. Takes too much time!
Anyway, about talking with the excavating staff - do you mean about the site, what features he/she is working on, or more general feedback? I've said elsewhere, I think communication with excavators is wildly varied and seems to be based on what company you're dealing with. On some site visits, the excvators are expected to talk about what they're doing, and how it fits in with the whole, and with some other units the project manager floats in, does the run through, and even the supervisor stands around lookign lke a (very frustated) dork.
Will ponder further about constructive things - but right now have a WSI or two waiting to be read.
ML
Planners - CK has it right from where I sit. We advise, PPG 16 in non statutory, and sometimes you have to pick your battles, and get the best you can. Or call the papers??
Sometimes I think that some standard guidance across counties/unitary districts etc may level responses and such, and make things easier for the contracting units. But then you run the risk of being too rigid. I think ALGAO is trying to address this through regional agendas.
I try to visit excavations weekly or every two weeks - depends what they're up to and how far away, all evaluations, but not generally watching briefs. If a unit I know and trust has a negative evaluation that's fairly small (10 trenches or less) I probablly won't. Takes too much time!
Anyway, about talking with the excavating staff - do you mean about the site, what features he/she is working on, or more general feedback? I've said elsewhere, I think communication with excavators is wildly varied and seems to be based on what company you're dealing with. On some site visits, the excvators are expected to talk about what they're doing, and how it fits in with the whole, and with some other units the project manager floats in, does the run through, and even the supervisor stands around lookign lke a (very frustated) dork.
Will ponder further about constructive things - but right now have a WSI or two waiting to be read.
ML