English Partnerships' partnership

A £2.75m contract for English Partnerships at Wolverton, near Milton Keynes will involve May Gurney's integrated in-house design, geotechnical, fencing, steel and lighting teams working in partnership with the Rail Services' team.

Steve Jagger, Managing Director of Engineering and Project Services, said: "We are extremely pleased to receive this prestigious contract award from English Partnerships. Once again we are able to provide an integrated service to English Partnerships, a most valuable customer."

Wolverton is a brown field site that has been earmarked for a £10m investment programme by English Partnerships, co-funded by the government, to regenerate residential and commercial enterprise in the area.

Alan Bates, Senior Regeneration Manager at English Partnerships, said: "It is essential that on such a complex project we form a good working relationship with the contractor.

"May Gurney is keen to work problems through in partnership. There have already been some challenging problems to deal with on site, but our good relationship with the site team, and our engineering consultants White Young Green, has resulted in dealing with problems effectively to ensure a quality end product."

The project includes the renovation of the historic Grade II listed rail bridge, built by Robert Stephenson, that spans the Grand Union Canal. May Gurney is working closely with local archaeologists and conservation officers to ensure that the works do not compromise any of the numerous historic structures in the vicinity. The project is due for completion in spring 2007.

The scope of work extends to building a new road and rail bridge over the historic structure. To avoid loading the existing bridge, these new reinforced concrete bridges will be built 100mm above Stephenson's bridge. The modern bridges will be founded on new abutments supported by foundation piles 21m deep. Once complete, the existing and new bridges will be independent from one another. The bridge works include relocating sidings on to the rail bridge. The new road bridge will facilitate access to two buildings currently being renovated.

"We pulled together an exceptional bid to win this fascinating and challenging project," Steve Jagger concluded. "Our innovative approach to providing a modern replacement while preserving our transport heritage is a showcase for our skills and team working with the client.

"Our team is already well established on site and committed to delivering the Wolverton scheme to programme, to budget and the complete satisfaction of English Partnerships."

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