Highways - Waterman

Radlett Strategic Rail Freight

lrichards — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 09:23:58 +0000

Radlett Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) is a transformative infrastructure project in Hertfordshire designed to shift freight from road to rail. The scheme focuses on reducing congestion, cutting carbon emissions and supporting the UK’s Net Zero ambitions, all through the introduction of a rail link with direct connection to the Midland Main Line.

Led by VolkerFitzpatrick, the project includes the successful installation of a 60-metre, 6,000-tonne precast concrete underbridge during a nine-day Network Rail blockade. The works also encompass switches and crossings, signalling systems, and overhead line equipment, all delivered with minimal disruption to passenger activities.

Our team provided specialist engineering and environmental consultancy services for the scheme, seeing us assess the extent and removal of landfill waste beneath the underbridge construction areas alongside subsequent reinstatement of ground levels to create a suitable works platform. The work meets rigorous environmental standards, Network Rail approvals and integrated seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.

With each freight train operating from the site removing up to 76 heavy goods vehicle journeys from UK roads, contributing to national decarbonisation goals, and improving air quality, and boosting biodiversity were core project goals. A key highlight is the 600-acre country park, featuring 200 acres of woodland and 400 acres of conservation grazing land, which enhances biodiversity and delivers long-term ecological value. The scheme also incorporates 17 kilometres of footpaths, bridleways, and trails, connecting communities to nature and encouraging active travel.

Beyond its environmental impact, the SRFI focuses on the delivery of meaningful social value through local employment, apprenticeships, and partnerships with educational institutions, investing in the future of the community.

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Manor Royal Business Improvement District

dbough — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 08:05:46 +0000

Manor Royal Business Improvement District

Located in a prime position within Crawley’s Gatwick Diamond area adjacent to London Gatwick Airport, the Manor Royal Business Improvement District (BID) is one of the south east’s most significant mixed activity employment hubs.

The ever-popular Manor Royal BID is home to a wide range of businesses, spanning everything from global brands to smaller businesses and local enterprises. With such a diverse blend of occupiers, the infrastructure and transport networks across the site are vital for supporting business operations, ensuring they remain efficient, safe and sustainable whilst also offering an attractive and engaging place for workers, visitors and customers alike.

To enable this, our infrastructure, civil engineering and arboricultural specialists have been partnering with Manor Royal BID since 2015. Throughout this time, we’ve supported the delivery of a wide range of schemes, including everything from feature site entrances, wayfinding, green spaces, art installations, and highway improvements.

Reflecting on the partnerships and vision behind Manor Royal BID’s regeneration, Steve Sawyer, Manor Royal BID’s Executive Director, said: “Our ability to transform Manor Royal depends upon reclaiming redundant, sometimes awkward parcels of underused and neglected land and reimagining them as attractive places for people and business. This takes vision, imagination and a solution-focussed approach to overcome the challenges working in this area can present. In Waterman we have found those qualities and together we have made a positive difference to the business district, with more to come.”

Recently completed, the latest upgrade has seen the delivery of the UK’s first bus ‘Superhub’. Aiming to redefine what a bus stop can be, the Superhub incorporates art installation, micro park, and seating area, all designed to make this functional space more engaging whilst also providing a valuable biodiversity boost.

The project was developed in partnership with West Sussex County Council and Crawley Borough Council and Manor Royal BID, and complements the wider work done through the Councils’ Bus Service Improvement Plans to improve the area, enhancing the reliability of local buses and reducing passenger journey times.

The scheme’s centrepiece is a striking piece of public art, named ‘Keki’s Fusion,’ which was created by local award-winning artist and architect Karl Singporewala. Stood atop tripod ‘piston’ legs, the six-metre high weathered-steel star sculpture was fabricated and installed by Cake Industries.

Working closely with Allen Scott Landscape Architecture, bus shelter designers Jedco, and Karl Singporewala, our team initially provided engineering and arboricultural support services to assist with the outline design and planning. We then took on a project management role, coordinating the design team as well as carrying out buried services investigations, handling associated approvals including a S278 agreement, preparing contract documentation, and overseeing works onsite during construction.

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DRIMS®

admin — Wed, 03 May 2023 11:09:09 +0000

The UK’s road and active travel space networks are a vital framework connecting our communities, businesses and green spaces, supporting our economy and underpinning the prosperity of the nation. Our transport and highways engineering specialists are carrying out surface monitoring and conditions evaluations across Britain to ensure these networks continue to operate effectively. To make this process safer, greener and more efficient, we’ve been supporting the development of a ground-breaking digital condition monitoring system called DRIMS (Dynamic Response Intelligent Monitoring System). Harnessing AI and FCD (Floating Car Data), this smartphone-based road-roughness measurement device gives International Roughness Index (IRI) ratings for a given stretch of road.

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Waterman appoints new Civil Infrastructure Associate Director

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2023 16:51:44 +0000

We are pleased to announce that Paul Mennell has joined our Bristol team as Associate Director to lead and grow the local Civils Infrastructure team.

A Chartered Civil Engineer with over 20 years’ experience in the water sector, Paul’s expertise spans fluvial and pluvial flood risk, clean and foul drainage network design, water management and dam engineering for both private and public sector clients.

During his career, Paul has worked as a team leader, project manager and principal engineer for developers, contractors, water utility companies, local authorities, and the Environment Agency. In addition, he also worked for National Highways as the South-West Drainage Lead, and was on the technical panel which provided the latest DMRB drainage standards.

Most recently, he worked with a public-private joint venture including the County Borough Councils of Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil, and Rhondda Cynon Taf. In this role, he helped deliver projects such as the detailed design for road culvert replacements, an SAB compliant drainage strategy for a bypass road, as well as design consultancy for waste transfer and Park and Ride sites.

Commenting on the appointment, Richard Stockwell, Waterman’s Infrastructure and Environment Regional Director for the South-West, said: “We are delighted Paul has joined us to help deliver our expanding workload in the region. His skills and experience will be invaluable in supporting our private sector infrastructure work as well as developing our public sector client base in the South-West.”

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