Category: News

We’re getting work off to the right start at the University of Warwick, conducting essential enabling works as part of the largest single investment in campus facilities in its 60-year history. 

Working closely with Mace Group Ltd, we’re delivering the first phase of the 43-week project, which is expected to be completed in summer 2025. The new state-of-the-art learning and research facilities will allow the University to drive STEM innovation in the Midlands, as well as provide space for collaborative working and public engagement. 

Our JCT Design & Build contract will see us conduct vital infrastructure works to support the wider project, including the construction of building platforms, erection of retaining walls, substantial Drainage and Utility diversion works, including HV, Helium, Gas and a major dual District Heating Main as well as the provision of brand-new car parking facilities for staff and students, enhancing life on campus. 

To improve access to the new science and engineering precinct, a new s278 road junction is required, along with a new rising main and pumping station ready for handover in summer 2025.  

The new science and engineering precinct is part of the STEM Connect Programme and once finished, will be home to specialist integrated teaching facilities for the Department of Chemistry and Physics, and the School of Engineering. 

Lance Gudger, Director at O’Brien Contractors, said: “This is a hugely significant project for the University of Warwick, the Midlands as a whole, and the UK’s STEM sector. We’re extremely pleased to be involved to deliver essential enabling works. 

“We’re a close neighbour to the University and the project allows us to make an impact on the local community too, from the jobs and social value we’re creating, to the legacy we are leaving at the university. We look forward to working closely with all the partners involved to help this flagship new facility come to life.” 

We’re experts when it comes to enabling works and undertaking projects across the education sector, with major schemes of work for the University of Birmingham, Stratford-upon-Avon College and Solihull School, under our belts.  

Professor Mark Williams, Academic Director for the STEM Connect programme at the University of Warwick, said: “We’re extremely pleased to be working with O’Brien Contractors and huge progress has already been made on site, preparing the land for the next stage of the development. The team’s expertise and experience working within the higher education sector made them and ideal partner for the project and they are already making a positive impact.” 

Click to find out more about our civil and construction work. 

It’s no secret that we love a bit of sport at O’Brien Contractors and we’re proud to announce our new sponsorship of our local side, Cubbington Albion, over the course of the 24/25 season.  

We’ve been a proud part of the Cubbington community for the past 66 years, in that time fostering strong relationships with individuals and organisations in the local area.  

The new season has already kicked off and the first Cubbington Albion home fixture on Sunday was well attended, even garnering the attention of the local press. Despite falling short against rival team Bourton & Frankton FC, it was a fantastic spectacle with a great atmosphere. 

We’re all looking forward to supporting our local boys for the remainder of the season, with our logo proudly front and centre.  

 

With the Grand Prix weekend fast approaching, O’Brien Contractors Ltd are pleased to confirm completion of a £1.3 million enabling works package for MEPC at Silverston Park, neighbouring the world-famous Silverstone Racing circuit.

MEPC are a British-based imaginative developer that provides dynamic long-term stewardship and the creation of transformational places with the future in mind. It was a privilege to give MEPC the green flag through the delivery of their project on time, and mitigate challenges associated with one of the wettest winters on record.

In line with our consistent commitment to ESG from project inception to post completion: 22,000m³ of stockpiled soil from previous construction projects was utilised within landscaped bunds to minimise disposal of spoil to landfill. 450 new trees were planted, 500m of hedging was placed and 13,500m² of wild grass meadow was dispersed.

In addition, communication and dialogue with the general public ahead of, and during the works, was crucial, as many had used the land previously for dog walking. Routes around the site were maintained and work areas were effectively secured to ensure the enjoyment and safety of the public.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) presented O’Brien Contractors Ltd with a prestigious President’s RoSPA Gold award, in recognition of our robust commitment to health and safety.

RoSPA recognises and celebrates excellent health and safety practices and associated commitment to protecting lives – industry wide and internationally. O’Brien are proud to have secured the Gold Award for 11 consecutive years.

O’Brien Contractors Ltd held a well-attended Groundbreaking Ceremony on Friday 17th May 2024 to commemorate the commencement of restorative works at Staveley – for Chesterfield Canal Trust.

The prestigious event was captured live via our drone (footage below) and by Look North – BBC: https://youtu.be/rpD-NgcNzoA.

We were also delighted to see the Article published by Derbyshire Times: https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/news/environment/were-incredibly-proud-contractors-break-ground-on-new-bridge-for-chesterfield-canal-restoration-4636343 and Chesterfield Canal Trust’s Press Release: https://chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk/canal-restoration-gets-underway-in-staveley/.

O’Brien are looking forward to seeing the long term benefits that our restorative work will bring to wildlife, the local community and visitors. 

Three of four of our shiny, newly procured vehicles are pictured here. The Transit Courier was swiftly required on site post livery.

O’Brien Contractors Limited continue to secure new contracts, resulting in ongoing expansion of our fleet and plant. Our continued progression is achieved through partnership working within communities where we successfully deliver our construction activities and ESG.

It was an absolute privilege to see the newly constructed Horticulture Hub and Forest School enhancement at Two Rivers School, Tamworth. The magnitude of the improvement to the vast outdoor learning environment knows no bounds. Students and their supporting professionals are clearly benefitting from the resources funded by our charitable contributions, ranging from an extensively equipped garden shed and greenhouse to planters and gardening attire.

Two Rivers is an all age, inclusive provision. We were inspired and heartened to see the positive difference that the O’Brien Charitable Trust investment has and will continue to make. Consequently, students are being equipped with crucial life skills, career preparation and dysregulation mitigation – within an enjoyable, safe environment. The holistic and academic outdoor curriculum offered to all students at Two Rivers includes, grow your own, pond dipping, and mindfulness. The students were so proud to share their resultant happiness and achievements, which was wonderful to see.

A big thank you to the terrific teachers and superstar students for such a warm welcome, your valued time and the beautiful thank you card. We look forward to seeing your continued success. Stay amazing!

 

 

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.

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.

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.”