Waste - 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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Planning approval granted for major Kennington student living scheme

lrichards — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 14:52:51 +0000

Planning approval has been granted for Unite Students’ 6-12 Kennington Lane student living scheme in Kennington, London. The London Borough of Lambeth reached a unanimous decision, allowing Stage 3 works to begin.

The approved plans involve demolition of the existing buildings to create a mixed-use development featuring industrial and community spaces across ground and mezzanine levels, with purpose-built student accommodation above. The scheme will provide 511 high-quality student bedrooms, including 177 affordable (35%) and 26 wheelchair-accessible rooms. Accommodation options are placed in a mix of clusters in varying in sizes with shared kitchens and individual studios. The industrial spaces have the option of being utilised as self-storage or a fulfilment centre, while a new community space will support local groups and service providers.

The development will rise to a maximum of 15 storeys with a drop down to 13 storeys towards Elephant and Castle, and then down to seven storeys to the rear of the building to minimise the visual impact to neighbouring residents. This site is ideally located between Elephant and Castle and Kennington stations which will provide students with excellent transport links.

Inspired by LDA Design’s landscaping and public realm scheme, outdoor facilities include landscaped areas, a widened pedestrian footpath, and specific green places that people can use to relax. Allford Hall Monaghan Morris’ (AHMM’s) architectural design focuses on wellbeing, and offers generous amenity spaces for learning and socialising, including a gym/studio.

Our building services and sustainability teams provided the Energy, Circular Economy, Whole Life Carbon, Pre-Redevelopment and Pre-Demolition Audits, BREEAM, Overheating, and Sustainability Statement. In addition, our specialists provided the Site Waste Management Plan for the scheme.

To find out how we’re helping unlock the potential of student living schemes across the UK, head to our living spaces webpage by clicking here.

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Morlais tidal energy scheme, North Wales

admin — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 13:42:16 +0000

The major Morlais tidal project off Anglesey has received £31m of funding from the EU’s regional funding programme and will provide future developers with an offshore platform to harness tidal energy generation. The zone consists of a seabed area of 35 sq km to the west of Holy Island and will have a generating capacity of up to 240MW, making it one of the largest tidal stream-energy sites in the world.

This development will provide renewable energy to generate clean, zero carbon electricity, to power more than 180,000 homes once fully operational.

Our client, Stockton Drilling Ltd, was appointed by Mentor Mor to undertake the installation of five 600 metre-long, 450mm diameter horizontal directional drills (HDD) with associated HDPE ducts to provide the conduits for the future power export cables. Each HDD will have an onshore entry point and extend out to sea, passing below 30-metre-high costal cliffs and the intertidal zone to an exit point located offshore.

Our geotechnical team in Scotland designed the bores for the scheme undertaking a range of surveys and investigations for their implementation. The scenic site is exposed to the full force of the Irish Sea, constraining the potential to undertake offshore intrusive geotechnical investigations. To provide information on ground conditions along the length of the drills, a trial HDD pilot bore was completed and aerial supplemented topographical survey data was captured using a LiDAR-equipped drone. The team also carried out a series of seismic surveys, seeing our experts gather bathymetrical and sediment data.

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7 Millbank office development gets green light

admin — Tue, 01 Nov 2022 21:43:48 +0000

7 Millbank will be OPLM’s first carbon neutral-in-use development in the city. The existing 9-storey building’s period façade will be dismantled so it can be restored and rebuilt, with the new development behind.

The scheme will provide premium sustainable workspace, with an enlarged reception, atrium and staircase along with terraces on the 6th, 7th and 8th floors to provide amenity and enhance urban greening. OPLM’s vision is to create a highly sustainable building for the long term, with high standards of wellness, flexibility and energy efficiency for occupiers.

Due to the development’s prime location, users will benefit from excellent public transport access, via Westminster and St James’s Park underground stations, while also being close to Cycle Superhighway 3 and 8.

Working alongside Make Architects and project managers Gardiner & Theobald, Waterman is providing civil and structural engineering, highways, transport, waste management consultancy services.

Tim Sketchley, Chief Executive at Old Park Lane Management Limited, said in a recent statement: “We welcome this positive planning decision, which allows us to create an environmentally sustainable building with modern, adaptable workspace and amenity, for generations to come. As our first carbon neutral-in-use development, it sets a standard for the future, which we know is important to contemporary occupiers.”

Richard Whitehead, Managing Director for Waterman Structures commented: “We are delighted to have been part of the team to obtain planning permission for this exciting project in the City of Westminster. We look forward to working with Old Park Lane Management and the team to complete the development over the next few years.”

Demolition is due to commence in Autumn 2022, with completion scheduled for late 2025.

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