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.

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.

 

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.

World Bicycle Day – June 3, 2023

To celebrate “World Bicycle Day” in style we are off to take on our Charity Bike Ride 2023!

The event is taking place tomorrow, 4th June, in Cambridgeshire with eleven of our team members training hard and preparing for the 53/66/100-mile routes around Cambridgeshire. The routes have now been released by the organisers and the Lyra has been fitted, it’s true to say the sponsored jersey’s look fantastic!

So far, we have raised an UNBELIEVABLE £11,895.00 for the O’Brien Charitable Trust, but still need your help to achieve our target! If you are able to support our team, please donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/charitybikeride23obct

We wanted to say a huge, good luck to all our riders, the weather looks fantastic, and the event should be a brilliant challenge for all. Thanks to all our sponsors and to all those who have donated so far.

Best of luck team! Let’s get to £13K!

World Bicycle Day – 3rd June 2023
The idea behind World Bicycle Day (WBD) is to recognize the versatility and uniqueness of the bicycle, as well as its reliability and sustainability as a mode of transportation. We support WBD due to its sustainability and green benefits and aiding both mental and physical health. We encourage our workforce to get on their bikes and cycle!

 

Rewarding Skills, Experience & Dedication

O’Brien values the skills, experience, and dedication of our site teams. In recognition of this, team members are rewarded with the ‘Employee Outstanding Achievement Award.’ The award goes to a member of the site team who has shown all of the above and is committed to project and their team.

Steve Hopkins won the Outstanding Employee Award for Quarter 1/2023. Steve was selected due to his great attitude on site and when working with his colleagues. He maintains a high standard of workmanship and always ensure that all he does is carried out safely.

These qualities are a great example of what is considered when recognising an O’Brien team member.