OPUS CONNECT Welcome to our first edition of Connect for 2014. Opus enters the year with a growing order book and an associated recruitment drive. We have again been recognised by NCE as one of Britain’s top 20 recruiters and we have set a target of adding another 100 staff to our UK team across all offices in 2014. The new staff will strengthen all of our teams, especially in the Transportation and Buildings sectors to align with recent framework successes. I trust you’ll enjoy the read. Huw Edwards UK Director Let us know your thoughts on our newsletter and we’ll send you an Opus mug – email: connect@opusinternational.co.uk
Design for Institute for Renewable Energy Opus provided the engineering design for the Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy (University of Liverpool).
Named after the nineteenth century engineering pioneers Robert and George Stephenson, the institute brings together world class academics from research groups in Science and Engineering to create a leading research centre for renewable technologies.
New footbridge at notorious rail crossing A new footbridge designed by Opus has been built to reduce serious accidents at a notorious rail crossing in Bestwood, Nottingham. The Bayles and Wylies level crossing was closed following a number of recent fatalities at the site.
FEATURES INCLUDE: • Adjusting the height of the piles caps and relocating the piles to accommodate the unchartered buried services which were identified below some foundations. • Designing the main span with an 1800mm high parapet to reduce anti-social behaviour. • A mural was commissioned to remember a teenager that died.
The existing laboratory block, which was refurbished and extensively remodelled, has been transformed into a modern and inspirational space. With so many laboratories accommodated in a relatively small building, service integration and accommodation were key to the project’s success. This necessitated the replacement of the existing lightweight roof structure, with a bespoke designed structural roof to house the extensive service plant that was required.
Opus worked with Principal Contractor J. Murphy & Sons Ltd for the client Network Rail, the Nottingham Express Transit (NET) and the local authority to design a permanent bridge which crosses both rail and tramway.
Appointment on Network Rail 5 year Civils Assessment (CAFA) Framework
HIGHWAY INFRASTRUCTURE ASSET MANAGEMENT PLAN Opus, in conjunction with our JV partner Arup, has a 7 year highways management contract with Hertfordshire County Council (HCC). A key part of this contract is the development of a new Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Plan (HIAMP). The HIAMP is a revision of HCC’s current plan to bring it in line with recently released guidelines and will provide guidance to the council enabling them to manage their assets more effectively. It will be developed in consultation with stakeholders at HCC and will be a live document to capture updates and changes over time to ensure effective decision making regarding highway infrastructure assets.
Opus has secured a place on the new five year Civils Assessment (CAFA) Framework with Network Rail and is one of three Consultants appointed on the largest and busiest ‘London North Western’ route. Additionally, Opus has also been appointed to the national overspill Framework, for the provision of engineering support on the other nine Network Rail areas.
ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL SCHEME FOR RNLI The new boathouse and slipway designed by Opus’ Maritime team, for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) at Mumbles represents yet another interesting scheme delivered to the RNLI.
The large glulam framed structure now accommodates the new 25 knot Tamar class lifeboat and is heated via a seawater sourced heat pump system, which was developed by the client.
A key aspect was constructing the new boathouse upon the listed Victorian pierhead to a sustainable design without damage to the historic fabric of the structure.
Work is now underway onsite for another boathouse that Opus has designed for the RNLI at Moelfre (off the east coast of Anglesey).
REFURBISHMENT OF TRAUMA CENTRE For the refurbishment of East Midlands Major Trauma Centre, a major life-saving centre in Nottingham which has more than doubled in size to serve people across the region, Opus provided Health and Safety CDM services for the scheme.
“We are very proud that the work has been well received and the centre has opened. We hope it improves patients’ experience and helps staff enhance the care they deliver to patients.” Henry Wade, Estates and Facilities Project Manager - Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
SHARED SPACE DESIGNED AT GATEWAY TO THAMES PATH At the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, Opus has been managing a scheme to improve the streetscape of Chancellors Road, a major gateway to the Thames Path (National Trail following the River Thames) from Hammersmith Town Centre. The road has been designed as a shared space, known as a ‘single service surface’ to seek to change the way streets operates. It aims to reduce the dominance of motor vehicles alongside pedestrians and cyclists, encouraging drivers to slow down and be more accommodating towards other road users. The new design will also improve the aesthetics of the street environment.
BRIDGE INSTALLED FOR NETWORK ELECTRIFICATION Working in partnership with J. Murphy & Sons Limited, Opus provided design for the Henrietta Street Bridge in Ashton-Under-Lyne, one of the first of 5 bridges in the Network Rail’s North West Electrification Programme (N.E.P. 5) to reach implementation stage, and also requiring a 1000 tonne crane, one of the largest mobile cranes in the country.
Len Johnson Opus designer (right), with Brendan Mc Neill J. Murphy & Sons Ltd Operations / Construction Manager.
Opus designed a new bridge structure to increase headroom to the railway allowing for the electrification. The scheme involved replacement of the original two span cast iron girder and brick arch deck, with a new single span steel and concrete composite bridge structure.
Western Parapet beam being lowered into position by 1000 Tonne Crane.
Strengthening of the abutments was achieved by innovative use of “Pali-Radice” type piles which were cored through the stone masonry abutments and installed by Keller Construction ahead of the main rail possession.
Major Recruitment Drive Opus plans to increase its staff by 25% and is looking to add 100 recruits to its 400-strong UK operations. The recruitment of 100 staff reflects the aim to be in the top 20* by 2020. Again this year, Opus is recognised by the NCE (New Civil Engineer) magazine as one of Britain’s top 20 recruiters. *ranking based on 10,000 staff in the New Engineering Record listings.
“We have a growing demand for transportation asset management, particularly in the rail and highways sectors. We are also experiencing significant growth in property services and in our geotechnical and environmental business.” Huw Edwards, UK Director
REMEDIATION AT FORMER 18TH CENTURY IRONWORKS Wrexham County Borough Council has appointed Opus to undertake investigative work for remediation to prevent the deterioration of assets at the former Brymbo Ironworks, now the Brymbo Heritage Area. The Brymbo Heritage Group is focused on protecting important industrial heritage and assets on the site include a pattern makers workshop, machine shop, blast furnace and blast pit. Opus will undertake further investigation to determine a schedule of recommended works needed immediately to prevent any further collapse, following damage from heavy snow.
COASTAL FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT IN KENT Opus was appointed by the Environment Agency to investigate ground conditions along a 7.5 Km stretch of coastal flood defences, at the Lydd Ranges near Dungeness in Kent. The site is of International importance for nature conservation due to the presence of the most diverse example of annual and perennial vegetated shingle habitat in Europe. It is also actively used by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) as a live shooting range.
FEATURES INCLUDE: The existing sea flood defence bank had suffered significant breaches over the past twenty years and investigation works were required to determine ground conditions and geo-environmental design parameters to enable improvements to be made to the primary and secondary flood defences
• A series of percussion boreholes and cone penetration tests using a combination of an 18tonne rig and a specialist mini-rig, where access for larger rigs was not possible. • Daily liaison with the MOD to enable a safe system of work as the shooting range remained operational every day throughout the works. • Full-time ecological advice to ensure the works did not significantly impact the nature reserve.
DESIGN FOR STATUE IN MEMORY OF PILOT PEOPLE NEWS Martin Beasley has been appointed as Office Director to lead the Nottingham business. At Hertfordshire County Council, Aziza Jeppe will lead the Integrated Transport Projects team. Daniel Sykes has taken up the position as Office Director at the Doncaster office.
A statue created in memory of the first person, Samuel Franklin Cody, to pilot a powered and sustained flight in Britain, in which Opus provided the design to support the memorial, was unveiled close to the site in Farnborough where the first flight was made. Opus’ schedule of works for the detailing, design and construction was based around the unveiling date for the statue, the centenary of the pilot’s death.
“Cody was a showman and cowboy by trade, but he was a man of the people... What he did for aviation in this country should be remembered.”
From left: Mrs Brown, Captain Eric Brown and Vivien Mallock, the sculptress.
David Wilson, Cody statue project leader.
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