Category: Completed Works

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.

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.”

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

O’Brien Contractors has successfully completed its first phase. The phase included the construction of a new access road and controlled junction for the new Fairham neighbourhood, along with improving access to the existing Park & Ride site.

The works have successfully been completed on programme, with the latest drone footage showing how far the project has progressed, over the last few months. We have now secured the next phase of infrastructure works and work on site is underway. The video below shows a full site overview of the neighbourhood and ongoing works.

Tom O’Brien, Director said: “We have completed our first phase at Fairham on programme and to the satisfaction of all the stakeholders. This has contributed to successfully securing the next phase of works at Fairham. Due to the positive relationships established; the same site team will continue. This is a great reflection of the quality and management of our teams, and we are extremely pleased to be working on this next phase with the client.”

The contract…
O’Brien has been conducting the work on behalf of Clowes Developments, the company behind the Fairham masterplan. The works are part of £100 million of infrastructure improvements scheduled for Fairham. Fairham is being brought forward in partnership with Homes England, the government’s housing accelerator.

The works involve improvements an existing access road and to create a new route into the £800 million Fairham neighbourhood in Nottinghamshire. The 606-acre site is in the process of becoming a whole new neighbourhood for Nottingham with 3,000 new homes, one million sq. ft of employment space and 200 acres of open green space.

Video content captured by: https://www.photos.co.uk/

Following on from works carried out earlier in 2020, O’Brien were engaged to carry out enabling works for a new depot on a portion of the site which was situated adjacent to the A49 in Ludlow.

With the site sitting alongside an existing live business and retail park along with Ludlow’s main park and ride facility it was imperative that the works were carried out in a way that did not disrupt the normal operations of our neighbours.

Works carried out on site included cut and fill earthworks to development plateaus, foul and surface water drainage, incoming service provision along with full construction of a new access road to provide permanent and construction access for the new depot. The earthworks presented a significant challenge with works carried out during January and February to meet the clients programme. These months are usually too wet for earthworks but using our extensive experience we provided a soil stabilisation solution that allowed works to be completed as required and the import of aggregates significantly reduced which provided cost and environmental benefits to the scheme.

The works commenced in December 2020 on a 16 week programme of works and have recently been completed.

O’Brien’s previous completed works on the Ludlow site earlier in 2020 were enabling works for a new housing development,  including drainage and attenuation ponds. See full details of previous works carried out:  O’Brien Development Site at Ludlow Progressing Well! – O’Brien Contractors (obriencontractors.co.uk)

Building Alteration and Upgrading Works for New Tank Farm Installation

Our multi million pound contract at the Barry Callebaut factory, Banbury is progressing at a pace.  The works which are to allow the client to increase their production by circa 20%,  started in November 2019, with major alteration works on the new ‘Tank Farm Building’ completed.  The works on this building have been carried out to ensure that the building is ready for the new product tanks to be installed within the building.

Our works on this building have included:

• Piling installation in the floor of the building to take the load imposed from the new product tanks to be installed
• Concrete reinstatement – reinstate around piles
• New resin floor installation
• White walling to stop any contamination of the product
• Installation of new steels – these were installed to strengthen the building, and for crane beams
• Painting and decoration of the building
• Brick up old roller shutter doors openings

Tank Farm Delivery Yard Construction

We have also constructed a new yard around the side and the rear of the ‘Tank Farm Building’ which was previously a landscaped area.  The new side access and new yard will allow deliveries to the rear of the building.  Our works have included:

• Reduced dig around the side and to the rear
• Muck shift
• Installation of all drainage and ducting for the building
• Install Hauraton channels and kerbs
• Install concrete bases for canopy for the delivery area to the rear
• Stone up
• Concrete bays for the vehicle delivery area.

Future works to the yard area for the ‘Tank Farm’ include the installation of 3 no doc levellers at low level, installation of all new doors and windows for the doc levellers and installation of a building for the janitors, and installation of steel for the canopy.

Building Extension and Construction Works

Our works will be continuing on site until late 2020 with further works including building extension works, internal access roads and construction of a brand new 40m x 13m stand alone Utilities / Energy Centre.

Live Manufacturing Environment

All works are being carried out within a live manufacturing environment with a busy delivery and loading operation on the site.  O’Brien have a carefully controlled regime and works phasing to ensure that manufacturing and deliveries on site are uninterrupted.  Health and Safety standards are stringent to reflect both O’Brien and Barry Callebaut’s standards.

150 Year Old – World Leading of Manufacturer of High Quality Chocolate and Cocoa Products

Barry Callebaut is the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa products, and has been dedicated to this business for more than 150 years. The company operates out of more than 40 countries, runs about 60 production facilities, employs a global workforce of more than 12,000 people.

One in Four Chocolate & Cocoa Products Around the World Contain Barry Callebaut Products

With average sales of 2,139,758 tonnes of chocolate and cocoa products (2018/19), their products are present in one out of four of all chocolate and cocoa products consumed around the world.

The works are taking place under a 12 month programme of works.

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY CENTRE, COVENTRY – CHALLENGING THE BOUNDARIES OF MANUFACTURING

The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) develops and proves innovative manufacturing processes and technologies in an agile, low risk environment, in partnership with industry, academia and other institutions, focused on delivering bespoke manufacturing system solutions for their customers.

MTC operate some of the most advanced manufacturing equipment in the world, employing a team of highly skilled engineers, with some being the leading experts in the world, creating a high-quality environment for the development and demonstration of new processes and technologies on an industrial scale.

MTC’s areas of expertise provide solutions for both large and small companies, across a wide range of industry sectors and their members include global manufacturing companies from multiple sectors. Research partners include the University of Birmingham, University of Nottingham, Loughborough University and TWI Ltd.

MTC is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, supported by Innovate UK.

O’BRIEN CONTRACTORS PROVIDING COST SAVING INNOVATIVE CONSTRUCTION

O’Brien Contractors were engaged by MTC Ltd as Principal Contractor for the Design and Construction of their new East Car Park, providing a new 333 space car park within the MTC Ansty Park site.

Works also included new service infrastructure, installation of an 800m3 attenuation tank with hydro brake flow-controlled discharge system, new lighting and electronic car charging facilities, perimeter fencing and associated gates and finally hard and soft landscaping to complete the construction of the new car park.

The project was delivered in its 12-week contract programme period and the site was awarded ‘Considerate Contractor Beyond Compliance Award’.

See the project profile for full details. https://obriencontractors.co.uk/?post_type=projects&p=5951&preview=true

Client Comments

O’Brien’s delivery and on site team have been a pleasure to work with. 

O’Brien have come back to all of my question and completed all CRF’s quickly and effectively. Communication with me as the client has been very good and I liked the proactive approach from all of your team.  

MTC will welcome O’Brien’s back with open arms. People do not often go out of their way to say Thank you and I believe strongly in Credit where it is due.