NE ground engineers win further Liverpool docks transformation work
A North East geoenvironmental engineering specialist has won additional work to help facilitate the transformation of one of the country’s most iconic waterfronts.
This latest work sees RWO’s Stokesley-based geoenvironmental services team, which continues to expand its national operations, undertake ground investigations to secure a new location for one of the original propellers of RMS Lusitania at Liverpool Docks.
The move is part of ambitious plans by National Museums Liverpool to create a historic memorial to the tragedy of the British ocean liner, which sank off the south coast of Ireland after being torpedoed by a German submarine during World War I with the loss of 1,195 lives.
Other work being undertaken by RWO at Liverpool docks, which are being improved as part of plans to revamp a key part of the heritage waterfront, includes drilling deep boreholes into rock with pressure meter tests ahead of the construction of a new bridge between docks.
Trenching work to investigate the build-up of the dock, which involves working with RWO’s own team of structural engineers, and a land contamination assessment, are all part of a comprehensive package of support provided by the company in an undisclosed deal.
Spanning the area between the Royal Albert Dock and Mann Island, redevelopment will see the creation of pedestrian bridge links to the Canning Dock. Buildings within the area are also being revitalised as part of an ambitious 10-year masterplan to transform a key part of Liverpool’s popular waterfront.
The highlight of the programme features the redevelopment of the Dr Martin Luther King Jr Building, which stands as a major iconic focal point of the Royal Albert Dock system providing a dramatic entrance to the city’s International Slavery Museum.
Following an initial round of geoenvironmental work completed last year, this latest project comes on the back of ongoing growth for RWO’s Geoenvironmental Department, which expects to see £1 million in revenues by 2026 as developers and contractors bring forward their investment plans.
Additional geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineers are also being recruited to support current and future new work as part of a push to attract experienced talent to the business.
With a strong pipeline of work, Chris Rudd, director of geoenvironmental, said the firm is investing to deliver effective ground engineering solutions for challenging problems.
He added: “This additional work for Liverpool docks, reflects our ability to turnaround projects rapidly, strengthening our relationship with the client as a go-to ground engineering specialist, capable of supporting infrastructure and inward investment initiatives.
“Over the next 12 -18 months, we will see opportunities right across the UK as facility operators and owners bring forward their investment and development plans.”
Working with leading house builders and construction companies, the company provides civil, structural and geoenvironmental engineering support for regional and national house builders and construction and infrastructure projects.