Tag: highway works

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Project completions, mental health walks and a chocolate factory… January has had it all!

Check out our social media highlights from the past month below!

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Another project ticked off!✅

Kickstarting in 2024, our work on the extension of Rainsbrook Crematorium has come to an end.

After months of hard work, the site is looking great, if we do say so ourselves!👀

 

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With the New Year in full swing, many will be committing to resolutions like cutting out sugar and chocolate… 🍫

Speaking of chocolate, we’re looking back at our project with the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate & cocoa, Barry Callebaut.

We carried out major alteration and refurbishment works to Barry Callebaut’s existing production facility at Banbury, including the construction of an extension and new standalone building that would enable the factory to increase its production by circa 20%.

Read more about the project here:

 

 

Barry Callebaut Chocolate Factory Extension, Banbury

 

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There were no Monday blues here this week!💙✨  

Whether it’s a marketing gimmick or not, ‘Blue Monday’ serves as a reminder to reflect on mental health and check in with those around us. Mental health isn’t just a topic for one day of the year, it’s something we should consider daily. It’s a conversation starter that encourages us to pause, step away from our screens, and truly connect with others.

This week, some of our team decided to take a 3k walk outside away from the office, into the fresh air, and just to catch up and check in with each other. As you can see from the smiles, it was a success! It’s easy to forget moments like these when the new year kicks off and we’re swept up in projects and deadlines. But this year, we’ve made it a priority to get out of the office, enjoy the outdoors, and connect beyond just work. Making the Cubbington 3k a monthly group connection and catchup walk!🚶‍♀️⛅🍃💬️

In the midst of a busy work life, it’s crucial to remember the importance of balance. ⚖️ Taking even just 10 minutes to reset can make a big difference. It’s also vital to connect with others—whether that means sharing experiences, offering help, or seeking support from friends and loved ones when needed. 

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SPARKing growth in the Midlands💥  

Last week, our work infrastructure works at SPARK Walsall came to an end.  

Within the 25-weeks on site, our team took on an extensive programme of highway works to improve access to the hub for both pedestrians and drivers.   

Want to find out more about how we delivered this project? Click the link below to read our latest case study: https://obriencontractors.co.uk/projects/spark-walsall-midlands-highway-infrastructure-works/  

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SPARK Walsall is a groundbreaking new logistics and manufacturing hub based by junctions 9 and 10 of the M6 set to bring 1,000 new jobs to the area upon completion.  

As part of the development, we were instated to provide junction improvement works, including a signal controlled T-Junction and a new right-turn lane to allow much needed access to the site. The S278 works also included creating a new residential carpark and tarmacking new pathways. This was vital for future pedestrian access to the hub, white-lining of road markings that are compliant with the standards of Walsall City Council, as well additional street lighting and traffic signals.  

Challenges we faced

Kicking off in August 2024, the 25-week contract was not without its challenges, but our in-house team of dynamic thinkers and our deep understanding of vital infrastructure works, enabled us to overcome them quickly. One of our first tasks was to ensure all permits, including our S278 agreements were in place. From our years of experience balancing the needs of multiple external stakeholders such as Walsall City Council, Open Reach and National Grid, applying for all permits at the start of the project ensured the strict timeline was adhered to.  

Our other main challenge was the unpredictable weather conditions between November up until the end of the project. We faced exceptionally wet conditions, with more than one storm hitting the UK over the course of autumn. Our team took measures to minimise the risks of unpredictable weather and the effects this would have on surfacing delays to ensure a smooth running project. 

Our work didn’t stop at installing the new junction. We also made significant improvements to the existing pedestrian crossing facilities, adding in new street lighting and new traffic signals to ensure the walkway remained safe for users.  

We only deliver the best quality work to our clients, so when posed with difficulty sourcing blue tarmac for anti-skid purposes, our team of experts came up with a new solutions that saved money and time. By sourcing a hot applied anti-skid material as an alternative to achieve PSV 68+, ensured the road surfaces were skid-resistant and will stand the test of time.  

Delivering excellence

We’re confident in our ability to deliver excellence, providing our clients with the highest quality work. Being involved right from the start allowed us to apply for permits in a timely manner, meaning we can then focus on providing innovative solutions that you can trust. Our vital infrastructure works at SPARK Walsall have helped to create a first-class public highway. We provided complimentary safety features such as lighting, pathways and traffic signals, with future pedestrians and hub employees in mind.  

Find out more about how we excel in delivering civil engineering projects across the UK. 

We have been chosen to work on the Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s (DIO) new Service Family Accommodation scheme.

In the latest phase of the Army Basing Programme to support the relocation of 4,300 military personnel and their families in the Salisbury Plain area, the multi-million pound development will deliver up to 917 new homes over 3 separate sites.

Working in partnership with main contractor, Lovell Partnerships, we will be undertaking the infrastructure works to the proposed scheme and these will include the construction of adoptable Section 38 roads and sewers, along with associated provision of services, i.e. gas, water, electric, IT and comms.

Also, the overall project requires the upgrading of existing county highways in the form of new roundabouts, junctions and highways. These works will be carried out concurrently by ourselves with the housing development operation.

Stuart Chamberlain, O’Brien Contractors Director, said: “We are honoured to have been chosen by Lovell Partnerships and look forward, once again, in applying our civil engineering expertise to deliver a development to the highest levels of quality. It is testament to our team who worked on the Beacon Barracks SFA scheme, that Lovell has shown confidence in our capability to deliver this prestigious project.”

John Leary, Lovell Operational Director, said: “The SFA scheme presents many exciting challenges but what is paramount is the necessity to assemble the right team, a team capable of delivering quality work throughout a high volume fast track programme.  OBCL were a key player on MOD Stafford and I am delighted to have them alongside us on the Plain.  Our partnership gives me the confidence that we can meet the Client’s demanding programme and at the same time assure DIO of value for money”.

Established in 1958, O’Brien Contractors is a Midlands-based provider of civil engineering, design and build and groundworks services, as well as turnkey sports pitch solutions.

Key projects and customers, include: Beacon Barracks SFA development with Lovell Partnerships, the regeneration of Longbridge town centre with Morgan Sindall, the Nestlé factory with John Sisk & Son and Gestamp’s Four Ashes Park with Readie Construction.