Category: News

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.”

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 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: