Osborne appointed to carry out redevelopment of largest dry dock in Southampton

Osborne has been appointed by Associated British Ports to carry out the redevelopment of an area of land near the 1930s, Dry Dock No. 7 (formerly known as the King George 5th Dry Dock) on West Bay Road in Southampton. The £1.4 million project will convert the area into a cargo handling berth with access to an adjacent berth that is also undergoing redevelopment. Completion is expected by the end of 2008.

Following listed planning consent, the contract comprises demolitions, new roads, fencing, lighting and dock up-grades as well as non-tidal works to the quayside including heavy duty chamber covers and new anchor bollards, plus tidal works to the now flooded Dry Dock 7 consisting of new safety chains, access ladders and infilling of old stairways.

Associated drainage, ducting, high mast lights, weighbridge and office foundation works will also be undertaken. Throughout the project, existing access will be maintained for quay operating leaseholders and future access to the quayside and dock will be improved with a new circulatory access road and link road to an adjacent berth.

There are a number of challenges, not least of which is breaking out existing concrete slabs for new roads and drainage. This is being carried out using a tracked Rocksaw to cut along the sides of the routes, enabling more accurate and simplified breaking out.

As part of the project, as many existing materials as possible are being reused to minimise waste and materials movement. This includes the use of the broken concrete, which will be crushed and reused as a capping material on this development.