HBPW’s diverse range of engineering skills are proving key to the success of a multi-million pounds’ project that will see Doncaster transformed into a major commercial hub servicing the likes of Amazon and other multi-national companies.
That is the verdict of HBPW Managing Partner, Paul Withers, who has been working alongside some of the UK’s largest construction companies behind South Yorkshire’s so-called Inland Port, dubbed ‘iPort Doncaster’.
“There are so many elements to this mammoth project it is difficult to categorise them in a single sentence.
“iPort comprises a 337-acre greenfield development site connected to Junction 3 of the M18 motorway via the Great Yorkshire Way, the result of FARRS, the Finningley And Rossington Regeneration Route Scheme. Phase One is already open and the continuing build is being led by Carillion. Eventually it will extend to Robin Hood Airport.
Farrr’s Link Road
“Beyond that the wider scheme will also incorporate a 35 acre dedicated strategic rail freight terminal. Needless to say it is a massive scheme which has had huge engineering requirements and challenges!”
The development has outline planning consent and funding in place for the construction of up to six million sq. ft. of logistics space.
“We have been involved at several stages in the process to date,” said Paul. “Early on, as FARRS was being constructed, HBPW was involved in the temporary works for the construction of a bridge over the East Coast Main Line.
“More recently another set of engineering skills were called upon to refurbish a different, existing farm road-over bridge first built some 150 years ago. |HugeVolvo A70 dumper trucks needed to cross the structure as part of largescale earth moving works.
A Huge Volvo A70
“Consequently we had to strengthen it by almost building a bridge within a bridge. The structure ended up featuring concrete approach walls so that if one of the vehicle’s accidentally veered to one side, there was no threat of it crashing onto the rail lines below.”
Paul said that Buckingham Group was now building huge logistic storage sheds on the main site for the likes of Amazon.
“We are now designing the engineering drawings for a large area of concrete hard standing adjacent to new rail freight terminal sidings. It will provide a home to containers – up to five high – and huge reach stackers with front axle loads of the order of 125 tonnes each will operate in the area.
“There have been some huge challenges within this development, which continues, but I am delighted to know that we have met every one of them.
“The requirements have been extremely diverse but thanks to a robust recruitment strategy and forward thinking on the part of HBPW’s Partners, we have proved, yet again, that small is so often beautiful.
“We have been rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest construction companies in the UK, and it is reassuring to know they have the confidence in HBPW to respond to their diverse and varied needs.”
iport Doncaster an Artists Impression