Middlebeck, Newark

This project unlocked the next phase of one of the East Midlands’ largest strategic developments, providing critical infrastructure for more than 3,000 new homes whilst delivering a new connection between the A46, A1 and the 694-acre Middlebeck development. Our works included;

• Major earthworks with approximately 1,000,000m3 of material moved
• The new 2.2km Southern Link Road & 5km of onsite S38 roads in line with Nottinghamshire County Council specification
• 2 No new bridges – River Devon Bridge (120m, steel 3 Span) Flood Alleviation Bridge 25m single span
• Two new roundabouts – one on the SLR and one on National Highway’s A46
• Construction of strategic drainage and culverts including; a 4.2m x 3.3m x 17m culvert, A46 Flood Relief Culvert Extension and 6 SUDs Ponds.
• Diversion of the existing utilities including;
  • 33kv overhead cables
  • Water Main diversion along Hawton Road
  • BT Openreach diversion along Hawton Road
  • 132kv overhead cables (to be carried out by National Grid)

Project excellence

We competitively tendered the scheme whilst the Client was at the feasibility and business case stage. We were engaged on a Professional Services Contract Agreement which included;

• Integrated programme production and development
• Construction buildability input and advice on drawings, specification and materials
• Costing Input – Cost plan updates, cash flow forecasts, budgeting, agreement of the contract sum
• Design development assistance and designer management
• Procurement strategy and development
• Stakeholder liaison and communication.

The ECI period was instrumental in de-risking the project and establishing a robust delivery strategy. A collaborative project team was formed comprising the Client, Designers, Contractor, National Highways and key stakeholders. Through regular workshops and technical reviews, construction methodology, programme constraints, design development and commercial risks were challenged and refined to ensure the proposed solution was both deliverable and affordable.

Early engagement with utility providers enabled critical diversion works, including the relocation of high-voltage power infrastructure.

Sustainability

We considered all aspects of sustainable construction for this project including social value, environmental and carbon reduction. Our success include;

• In line with our PAS2080 we provided baseline carbon information for each operation and assisted in the implementation of U&C’s carbon plan.
• Including topsoil and borrowing of subsoils, c.1million m3 of soil was excavated and utilised within the site with zero subsoils being tipped off site. By avoiding nearly 750,000 road miles, on site borrow pits and processing, we saved c.3000 tCO₂e.
• The A46 sub-base was constructed using CBGM. To streamline the programme and reduce risk, we established an onsite batching plant, reducing haulage and completing the works in half the allotted programme time.
• A Social Value package included sponsorship of the local marathon, food bank donations and litter picks with National Highways

Completion Time

Overall completion was 4 months ahead of the agreed programme, managed by our in-house site management team that included a dedicated Planner to monitor and manage the Programme.

We worked with the client, local authorities, highways authorities and parish councils to complete each section in a bespoke manner to minimise disruption. For example, we reduced a road closure by 3 months by adapting our sequencing.

Budget

Despite being delivered through two of the wettest summers on record, together with the impacts of named storms in August 2023 and August 2024, the project was successfully completed within the agreed contract budget.

Robust commercial management was embedded throughout the project, with our dedicated on-site Quantity Surveyor working closely with the Client, designers and supply chain partners to provide accurate cost forecasting, proactive risk management and timely agreement of change.