Over 3.4 million Minis were born here, and that same ethos of innovation and excellence drives this exciting mixed-use development. Set amongst 27-acres of high-quality riverside public realm, West Longbridge features adaptable development plots for business occupiers alongside high-quality new homes – all with direct access to the Bristol Road (A38) and adjacent to Longbridge town centre’s many amenities.
Right from the start, O’Brien Contractors were employed as principal contractor, on a design and build basis. This was to provide ongoing infrastructure works across the 45-acre site, including a range of earthworks and landscaping, breathing life into one of Britain’s most famous industrial areas.
Against climbing costs and inflation, it was important to ensure that St Modwen was given a fixed price, guaranteed throughout the Contract Period. Recognising this, we adjusted our procurement strategy to ensure the project was delivered within budget, all whilst maintaining an exceptional standard of work.
So far in this project, we’ve completed Section 38 highway works, Section 104 and surface water drainage works, balancing ponds, road and cycleway construction, vehicle and pedestrian bridges, as well as landscaping works for public realm.
Throughout the project we’ve worked closely with St Modwen to ensure everything was delivered on programme and to expectations. This has allowed St Modwen to hand the various plots over to the occupiers on time, so they can continue with their development pipeline.
Our works:
- Vehicular Bridge
- Highways
- 3,920m2 Pedestrian/Cycle Route
- Drainage Systems
- Landscape works
- Service Installations
West Longbridge October 2023:
Sustainability
Using our decades of expertise and depth of knowledge, it was established right at the start that unusable materials left on-site could be crushed and processed to be used on the project, delivering cost saving for the clients and avoiding an estimated 1,194 lorry movements. This also resulted in a total reduction of 41 C02e (tonnes) of Green House Gas Emissions*. Specialist drainage works on-site have been completed, negating the need to open-cut trench across the A38. A 6m deep chamber was installed, and we thrust bored under the A38 to make the outfall connection.
After plans for a steel-framed bridge were rejected at an early stage in the project, we worked with St Modwen and various designers, to produce a design for a concrete bridge. We then got technical approval, manufactured the pre-cast concrete sections off-site, formed in-situ buttresses along with various other elements, to complete the concrete bridge under budget, and without any delays to the project.
Social Value:
- 41 co2e reduced
- £1.8m spend on local supply chain
- 267% over target for newly created entrant jobs
- 2000 trees planted
Landscaping
Situated next to the River Rea, the correct landscaping was imperative to enhancing surrounding area’s natural beauty. Our Landscaping package was developed to ensure seasonal
planning work would progress in line with the development programme. Covering a 45-acre site, a new riverside footpath and cycleway were added, linking the town centre
with Rubery Lane, giving visitors and residents a place to unwind and relax.
During the project, St Modwen asked if savings could be made to the soft landscaping works. Taking this on board, we directly engaged a landscape architect and identified a
number of savings, which were then used on the other areas of the landscaping works.
OCT 2023: 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.