Worcestershire station gets CEEQUAL rating of Very Good
Overview
Worcestershire Parkway is a new station that accommodates for the increase in demand for rail services to and from Worcestershire. All parties involved in this project were keen to implement CEEQUAL (now BREEAM Infrastructure) standards and were successful in achieving a final verification rating of ‘Very Good’.
About
Worcestershire Council provides essential services for over 95,000 residents. Working with the local community, they aim to create a prosperous city and to improve the quality of life for their residents.
Background
The aim of this project was to grow the local economy by improving access to the rail network and reducing car based rail-heading to other stations such as Birmingham International, Cheltenham and Warwick Parkway.
Solutions
Existing materials
The existing site material that was not suitable to build directly on or use as construction material was treated using lime stabilisation. This reduced the requirement to export/import new materials.
Reptile migration
As construction progressed, Environmental Specialists monitored, surveyed and helped to migrate reptiles from the site (which was a rich habitat for them) and helped to mitigate any harm done to them as a result of the work.
Biodiversity
As a result of rigorous monitoring and implementation of sympathetic landscaping, the site has seen a net gain in the biodiverse environment.
Sustainability
Sustainability was monitored and managed through all stages, particularly in delivery where HSQE experts were engaged to ensure adherence to site waste management plans, consents and permits relating to local water courses, protection of the local environs from contamination, and existing habitat management. One specific example relates to the use of reclaimed and treated oil pipes as the steel pile foundations across the site.
Local transport infrastructure
The creation of a new roundabout to offer access to the station improved the local road environment by assisting traffic flow and reducing speeds.
Flood management
The site was in a high risk flood areas and the introduction of active and managed drainage has not only delivered what was required to manage the station and car park facilities, but has also improved the water management more widely resulting in prevention of flooding to historically poor areas.
Benefits
People and communities
Throughout the project, there was collaboration with local residents, people living with disabilities, local schools and the rail industry as a whole. Upon completion, It was clear these groups had a real sense of pride about the station and its facilities.
Ecology and biodiversity
The net gain in biodiversity and protection of local ecology during and post delivery is seen as a major success.
Water environment
Local (and wider) flood management improvements as a result of the introduction of active and sustainable drainage.
Physical resources use and management
The reuse of virtually all of the site material by means of lime stabilisation treatment, the use of reclaimed oil pipes for foundations, efficient management/reduction of site waste.
Other notable benefits included:
Support for the local economy of Worcestershire with 27,000 new jobs being created and 28,000 new homes being built in close proximity to the new station.
A step change in direct rail access for people in Worcestershire and the wider South Midlands area with a rail network both north south and to/from London and the South East.
Improved access to rail in order to complement the improvements and maximise the benefits offered by IEP trains.
Unlocking the current suppressed demand, which exists because of limitations to current rail services and poor access opportunities for car users due to lack of parking spaces at stations.
Encourage sustainable travel and contribute to environmental objectives through promoting a modal shift to rail and consequently reducing car dependency.
Reduce car usage on the Strategic Highway network by 6m kilometres per annum by 2031 .
