Blyth Bebside Station
Project Overview
Rainton Construction is proud to be delivering a significant package of works for Morgan Sindall Infrastructure’s Northumberland Line project. This ambitious initiative will reintroduce passenger rail services for the first time since the 1960s.
MGL Earthworks played a crucial role in the project’s early stages, undertaking essential enabling and earthworks packages to facilitate the construction of the Seaton Delaval Station and Palmersville Underpass. Our collaborative approach has delivered key project milestones for these sites and the new Blyth Bebside station. Using a variety of in-house divisions, the team successfully remediated a heavily contaminated brownfield site before enabling works in the rail environment, such as installing a road rail access point and both permanent and temporary under-track crossings. These provided access and services to a landlocked section of land, excavation of the track support zone, and installation of vital temporary works. Following large-scale earthworks and civil engineering processes, we successfully constructed two new access-for-all platforms and associated infrastructure on and off track. A new cycle bridge spanning the A189 dual carriageway provides essential access to the new station. Finally, our team constructed a new car park and access road, improving transportation options and encouraging sustainable travel.
Overcoming Challenges
Working within a live rail environment presents unique challenges, from working practices and safety procedures to upskilling and training our personnel. We successfully passed our initial and subsequent follow-up RISQS audits and upgraded our internal plant technology. This project required meticulous planning, coordination, and strict adherence to safety protocols. The 18-week blockade for the up and down platforms necessitated efficient work practices and delivery. After that, working around a live rail environment highlighted the importance of close collaboration with Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, Network Rail, and other key stakeholders to minimise disruptions to rail services. The site covers a large geographic area with access restrictions to many work faces. This, coupled with local businesses, residents, and other stakeholders, has added to the challenge of delivering such a large project.
Sustainability and Social Value
Sustainability and social value are at the heart of our approach. We implemented a large heavy-duty wheel washing facility to prevent and reduce pollution, conserve water and maintain vehicles. Prioritising sustainable procurement and using innovative plant and equipment, HVO fuel, local supply chain, tree planting schemes, and other methods, we continued to significantly reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Non-hazardous, bituminous waste was recycled at our local facility, transforming it into feedstock for new asphalt production. This conserves natural resources and reduces the need for virgin aggregates. Inert and metal waste materials were also recycled.
Our workforce comprises local people, including several apprentices, and we’re committed to supporting the local community. We participated in the client’s ‘May Makeover’ litter pick event and donated Easter eggs to a local school.
Summary
MGL Group is proud to have worked on three of the Northumberland Line Project sites, allowing us to demonstrate the capabilities of such a diverse range of business disciplines. We have successfully managed a range of waste streams, having exported over 50,000 tonnes of excavated material and imported over 30,000 tonnes of aggregate from our local quarry. This ongoing project showcases our expertise in complex civil engineering and groundworks, including site clearance, contaminated land management, and efficient materials management. We are committed to delivering high-quality infrastructure to benefit the region for future generations.
Click here to watch a project update video.
