O’Brien Completes Network Rail Contract

O’Brien has completed its first contract for Network Rail to construct a new car park at Stoke-on-Trent train station.

The new facility is part of multi-million-pound plans drawn up Stoke-on-Trent City Council in a bid to improve traffic flow and boost the area for public transport and pedestrians.

The 15-week programme provided 4,500m2 of car parking, drainage, lighting, and a CCTV system all of which was integrated into Network Rails existing systems.

Value Engineering & Design Recommendations:

O’Brien recommended a ground improvement solution using lime and cement stabilisation as opposed to a traditional aggregate solution. This approach minimised the material disposed of to landfill and the import of quarried aggregates. This approach significantly reduced traffic movements to and from site and reduced carbon footprint while offering the client a saving on time and budget with no reduction in quality.

Red asphalt was replaced with a surface applied product (Red Cold Resin Puma Grip HFS), this material was proposed by O’Brien as a more suitable product and adopted by the client and architect for the completed project.

See below drone footage of the completed car park facility at Stoke-on-Trent Train Station.

Low Carbon Approach at Fairham Neighbourhood

We’re early adopters of the latest tech and industry trends to ensure our team remains at the top of their game and our clients remain in the best hands. Our focus on sustainable methods and practices as technology leaders ensures we select the right product with the least significant impact on the environment we work in.

When selecting asphalt for the project we chose to use low carbon asphalt for the new roads and highways at Fairham, to help decarbonize the roads and reduce carbon dioxide output around the new neighbourhood.  The low carbon asphalt allowed us to lessen disruption with quicker cooling times to meet trafficking temperatures and increased team productivity throughout the project.

Low carbon asphalt is the preferred choice for O’Brien and the product aims to produce a saving of 13,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year which is equivalent to 22,000 flights between JFK and the UK.

Kick start donation from O’Brien Contractors Ltd

Representatives from Nottinghamshire’s brand-new neighbourhood, Fairham, have committed to raise funds for Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance (LNAA).

Fairham delivery partners, Clowes Developments and Homes England, selected the local charity to benefit from any funds raised at the development during the 10-15year lifespan as they deliver the brand-new neighbourhood. As lead infrastructure contractors we contacted Clowes Developments about supporting a local charity with a generous donation of £2,000. Naturally, the partnership with LNAA presented an opportunity for us to kick start the fund-raising activity with our generous donation to this much needed charity.

Tom O’Brien, Director at O’Brien Contractors Ltd commented on the donation:

“O’Brien Contractors Ltd are proud to support our clients, Clowes Developments and Homes England with not only the delivery of major infrastructure works at Fairham but also in their endeavours to raise much needed funds for Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance. The construction industry has a frighteningly high workplace fatal injury rate, to know that we are giving something back to a service that helps save lives provides a full circle moment.”

(L-R Tom O’Brien – O’Brien Director and Joe Harper – Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance)

O’Brien Donates £2K to Stratford Upon Avon Foodbank with support from Stratford Upon Avon College

O’Brien visited Stratford Upon Avon Foodbank today to present a cheque for £2,000.

The donation is linked to the recent work we have carried out at Stratford Upon Avon College for their new campus. Having worked closely together over the last few months we discussed possible charities/causes in the area that might be worthy of a donation and the Foodbank was highlighted as a great recipient.

Having spoken to the team at the foodbank today it was interesting to hear that they are feeding 59% more people in 2023 than in 2022. Although well supported by the local area, they are in need of donations to maintain the level of support that is required across the town at present.

Kate Morris, Foodbank Manger, said: “We are hugely grateful for the support of O’Brien Contractors Ltd, and thankful to the college for nominating us, as we discussed donations are down and the demand is ever increasing.”

Stuart Chamberlain, Executive Director, said: “It was great to meet the team today and hear how our donation will help them. Community collaboration is part of our social value commitment, we believe in the power of working relationships, and we actively seek aiding local organisations, charities, and community groups. By working together, we can leverage our skills, resources, and expertise to address the unique needs of the communities in which we operate.”

(L-R: Alan Hastings – Director of Operations at Stratford Upon Avon College, Stuart Chamberlain – Executive Director at O’Brien Contractors Ltd, Sarah Crompton – Assistant Foodbank Manager and Kate Morris – Foodbank Manager at The Trussel Trust, Stratford Upon Avon Foodbank)

If you would like to support The Trussell Trust Foodbanks please click here: https://www.trusselltrust.org/make-a-donation/

 

O’Brien Contractors win third contract at major Nottingham development.

O’Brien Contractors has won its third contract with Clowes Development, working as the principal contractor on the delivery of essential highway infrastructure works in Fairham, a new £800 million mixed-used development in Nottinghamshire.

Following the success of two previous contracts for the completion of development phases two and three, the newest contract will see the completion of the fourth stage of the £100 million infrastructure improvements to the 606-acre site. Previous works on the site have included improving public access through the reconfiguration of Clifton Park & Ride with a new dual access road and a roundabout, plus a number of additional roads and access routes.

The next phase of work will involve the construction of new roads, footpaths, and cycleways to allow access to the site as the later phases of the development begin. Upon completion, the scheme will provide new employment opportunities, 3,000 new homes and 200 acres of green space.

Tom O’Brien, Director at O’Brien Contractors: “We are extremely pleased to have secured a third contract with Clowes Developments. The routes are taking shape and allowing access to new areas of the development, it is great to work on this exciting project and to see the masterplan coming to life. Once again, this is a brilliant reflection of the consistency of our team and the standards O’Brien Contractors offers.”

Ali Malik, Director at Clowes Developments, said: “The decision to work with O’Brien Contractors on the third phase of works is a direct result of the success of our two previous projects. The team has proven to us that they are more than capable of handling the job and we trust them to deliver the project on time. It is great to have them on board for the next stage of this major development in the Nottinghamshire area.”

For more information, see here.

Fairham’s Masterplan October 2023:

Hat Trick at Longbridge

O’Brien has won its third contract at Longbridge, Birmingham.

The team has successfully secured a contract for a boulevard landscaping scheme on West Works Way. The first visit has commenced on site with further landscaping visits in March to complete the seeding.

The Longbridge projects has been made up of three individual contracts including West Longbridge, Dalmuir Road and most recently West Works Way.

Below is a link to our earlier contract at West Longbridge which is part of one of the largest regeneration schemes in the UK.

O’Brien Infrastructure Works Progress at Old Rover Site, Longbridge

NEW Thwaites 9T Mach2290X Dumpers

O’Brien has taken stock of 4 new Thwaites 9T Mach2290X Dumpers.

The new additions will be added to the extensive fleet of company owned machinery. This ensures O’Brien continue to make use of the latest technology as well as providing safe, reliable, and environmentally friendly vehicles for our staff.

The team look forward to getting the shiny new kit out on site.

 

Today is World Mental Health Day – 10th October

O’Brien is aware that construction work has a variety of pressures, from tight contracts to long hours, time away from loved ones and managing budgets, not to mention the rising costs of supplies. Knowing just how critical mental health awareness and support are to a workforce is essential. Below is our approach to mental health and wellbeing at O’Brien.

“Men in the UK are three times more likely to die by suicide than women. However, in construction – a male dominated industry– men are three times more likely to die by suicide than the national average for men.”

Our approach to Mental Health & Wellbeing at Work…

Listed here are some of the areas we have worked on in the last couple of years to increase our support for our workforce at O’Brien Contractors:

We offer access to the “Construction Industry Helpline App” The app is the ultimate self-help tool and is aimed at those who would like more information about how they can help themselves or if necessary, take the next step in seeking professional help. 

Here at O’Brien’s, we have a number of Mental Health First Aiders, our “Mental Health Champions,” who are specifically trained in helping anyone who may need support, ensuring that out workforce always have a trained representative to offer advice and listen when it is needed.

“Building Mental Health Framework” is an initiative we have adopted, with our teams committing to the principles of the building mental health charter, which include areas such as reducing stigma and discrimination and encouraging open conversations while at work.

We ensure that our workforce communications always include a recommendation or links to helpful information should it be needed. Our dedicated page “Help Under the Hard Hat” is there specifically to offer this. Our Toolbox talks are specifically focused around these areas.

One of our chosen charities who helps us with our communication is a charity we support through O’Brien Charitable Trust is “Lighthouse Club.” They offer a helpline and are committed to helping the construction industry tackle its mental health. This is charity receives no public funding and relies on the generosity of those within in the industry to help to continue its vital work. 

Additional Links to Information & Help:

See link to the Construction Industry Helpline App and how to find it: click here.

See the Lighthouse Club here: click here.

Source for article information and facts: click here.

 

On target at Northampton Boys College

O’Brien is progressing well at their Northampton Boys College project and is on target to hand over as scheduled in early September 2024.

The 40,000m2 of natural turf pitches have been cultivated and seeded, with germination taken place, and a first cut anticipated in the next couple of weeks. The full size 3G pitch and MUGA has the extensive drainage complete, with both facilities having permeable subbase installed and have received their tarmacadam shock pads. Perimeter weld mesh fencing is ongoing and will be complete ahead of the synthetic carpet installation at the beginning of October 2023. The team have ensured that the contract is working towards the clients brief and budget by using their extensive knowledge and experience in total solutions sports projects.

The project

Forming part of a £28 million new modular build campus for the school, the project will deliver a fully comprehensive sports facility package, including the development of 40,000m² of natural turf pitches, a full size 3G synthetic surfaced football pitch with associated lighting and fencing, and a 62 x 36m “Leisuretex” surfaced multi-use games arena (MUGA), designed to facilitate sports such as tennis and netball.

With work already under way, the facilities are due to be completed by September 2024, ready for the school’s grand opening.

Adding value

Involved right from the start, we were approached by the client in April 2021, with a brief to create a new sports facility.

Over the course of two years, we worked with the client and the college to plan, design, and prepare a best-in-class facility. With the college possessing limited knowledge in project management and construction, we were able to draw on our team’s extensive knowledge and experience in total sports project solutions and bring the vision to life.

Working to the client’s brief and budget, we were able to offer a flexible approach and meet additional requirements requested by the college. Our in-house team provided a full bespoke design package, including earthworks modelling for natural pitches, along with extensive drainage design.

See our progress on site and latest drone video from early September…

 

Colleagues nominate Laura Murphy for Outstanding Contribution Award

Laura Murphy has been selected by her colleagues for the first ever office nominated Outstanding Contribution Award. This award is normally only awarded to site staff, but due to the level of support and help she has given to the office, she was put forward by her teammates.

Many of the comments made by her colleagues included how proactive, diligent, and helpful she is in her work and her ability to get the job done efficiently and on time.

O’Brien would like to extend a huge well done to Laura for her hard work and are delighted to see the comradeship between colleagues and wanting to highlight those who get stuck in.