M6 Junction 10 improvement
A full groundworks package on one of the busiest junctions in the region, delivered while traffic kept moving.
- Client
- Sisk (main contractor)
- Location
- Walsall, West Midlands
- Year
- 2024

The project
Junction 10 of the M6 links the motorway to the A454 at Walsall, and it's one of the busiest junctions in the West Midlands. The improvement scheme replaced the overbridges and widened the junction to ease long-standing congestion.
Working for main contractor Sisk, our team delivered a full groundworks package on the scheme. We installed pavements and roads, reinforced embankments, new drainage networks and utilities infrastructure, all while keeping disruption to the junction as low as possible.
The engineers we worked alongside have spoken highly of the team's skill and care, and of the quality of the finished work.
“I worked with Yates Groundworks on the M6 J10 junction improvements scheme. Jake and his team offer a professional and efficient service, they will work with you to successfully deliver your project. The pride they take in their work and the quality of the finished product is a stand out memory from my time with them.”
“I’ve worked with Yates on the M6 Junction 10 Improvement Scheme and they’ve shown exceptional skill, integrity and care installing new drainage networks, pavements, kerbs and reinforced embankments. I highly recommend Yates Groundworks for their experience and enthusiasm has been unmatched.”
From the ground up
Seven layers.
One team.
Most of what makes a road last sits below the surface. Here’s one built layer by layer, the way we do it on site.
Layer 01 / 07
Site clearance & excavation
Strip, dig to formation, proof-roll
We clear the site, remove the topsoil and dig down to formation level. The formation is then proof-rolled so any soft spots show up before anything is built on top.
GroundworksLayer 02 / 07
Carrier drain & gullies
Ø300 carrier pipe · gully connections
The drainage goes in first, at the deepest level: a carrier pipe in granular bedding, gully connections and chambers. It's laid to fall, then tested before it's backfilled.
Specialist DrainageLayer 03 / 07
Utility ducts
Electric · fibre · water · joint trench
Ducts for electric, fibre and water go into a shared trench with marker tape, keeping the right separation between services. Every route is recorded for the as-built drawings.
Utilities GroundworkLayer 04 / 07
Sub-base
Type 1 granular · compacted in layers
The sub-base is laid and compacted in layers. It spreads the load from traffic into the ground below, and it's what stops a road, or a driveway, from rutting.
GroundworksLayer 05 / 07
Kerbs & channels
Bedded and haunched in concrete
Kerbs are set to line and level on a concrete bed and haunched for strength. They set the edge of the road and guide surface water to the gullies.
Highways ConstructionLayer 06 / 07
Binder course
Asphalt binder · bonded layers
The binder course is the structural asphalt layer. It's laid hot, compacted and bonded to the surface course that goes on top.
Highways ConstructionLayer 07 / 07
Surface course & lining
Wearing course · road markings
The surface course is the layer drivers actually see. Once it's down, the road is lined, signed and handed back to the network.
Highways Construction- 01Site clearance & excavation
- 02Carrier drain & gullies
- 03Utility ducts
- 04Sub-base
- 05Kerbs & channels
- 06Binder course
- 07Surface course & lining
Next project
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