One of Gloucester's most important regeneration schemes is powering ahead.

Punchline was given exclusive access to the Barbican Way site where student accommodation comprising of 295 bedrooms is under construction and shot this video.

And with pile drivers operating flat out we are delighted to say work on the three blocks of accommodation is ahead of schedule - thanks in no small part to the fine weather.

The mix of townhouses, cluster flats and studio bedrooms at Barbican Way is part of the £135 million regeneration of Gloucester's Quayside and Blackfriars areas.

The developer is Cityheart and although the main contractor Vinci is based in Bromsgrove, Gloucester-based Keyway is providing the plant machinery and vital local back-up.

There are around 30 workers on site and this will rise to 80 in November when brickwork starts and the scaffolding goes up. Health and Safety is clearly paramount on site and there are viewing areas cut into the perimeter fence so the public can see what is going on.

Everything is being built on rock solid foundations with piles dug 50 metres into the ground. The attention to detail is impressive with seven different brick samples available so the client can decide which fits in best with the surrounding buildings.

Three full-time cleaners are busily keeping the site tidy and access for workers has been planned so very little mud is taken onto local roads.

The public will eventually have access through the site via a pedestrianised street that will link Barbican Way to Ladybellgate Street. A new car park with entrance from Barbican Way will provide nearly 100 additional spaces for general public use.

The new accommodation for students is expected to provide a major boost for Gloucester's day-time and night-time economy. It should all be finished by September, 2018.

Pictured: Site supervisor Kevin Mooney and work in progress