University of Huddersfield – Institute of Railway Research/OH

Education Huddersfield 8 weeks £500k
Education Huddersfield 8 weeks £500k

Project
description

The University’s Institute of Railway Research (IRR) wished to establish a ‘SmartRolling Stock Maintenance Research Facility’ and commissioned a project totalling £1.8million project to set up a research laboratory and associated office space.

The works comprised the construction of a new three-metre-high concrete blast wall, with heavy, movable steel gates, designed to stop a railway rig moving at 100km.

A deep pit was constructed to ensure the rigs could be worked on from below. After commencing the project, the University engaged with Lodestone to undertake the OH PINS project as a variation to the IRR. This urgent scheme – we were afforded just two weeks to design, price and procure the project – required the reorganisation of several areas across multiple buildings,

Project
challenges

On the IRR, the major priority for the Institute was that its adjacent Harold test rig needed to remain operational throughout the construction works. The Harold rig is extremely sensitive to dust, with Lodestone building full-height dust screens around it, to prevent dust migration. The construction works also necessitated deep excavations, underpinning and propping, as well as the requirement to introduce four-tonne movable steel blast gates to subdivide the new and existing spaces.

On the OH PINS scheme, the major challenge was the programme, and an incredibly short lead in. The works were undertaken in the height of summer (when the majority of labour was already booked onto other projects). We partnered across all work packages to ensure labour was secured, and to allow us to rapidly price, programme and secure the materials to successfully deliver the scheme.

Project
outcome

Both projects were delivered on time. There were no COVID, health and safety or other incidents throughout the project, with the IRR not experiencing any disruption throughout the works.

The Result
What our client says

I called in to site this afternoon and it is very impressive what you have achieved so far. Mike is very enthusiastic, and the site is really well run. Your subcontractors seem absolute stars. Using the different techniques has certainly speeded things up. The Railway Research projects in the past have all been problematic. So, if things continue the way they have so far, the Estates director and IRR director will be delighted. We should perhaps be using your company for more of these projects. Everything seems to run so smoothly.

Richard Mallinson
, Building Surveyor, University of Huddersfield

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Leigh House, Varley Street,
Leeds, LS28 6AN