Freeman’s Reach Phase 1 and 2

Rainton Construction was awarded the ‘Project of the Year’ in the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) North East Awards 2015 for our work on Phase 1 of this project.

Freeman’s Reach is a high profile and highly visible sustainable development of part of the riverside in Durham City Centre. The circa £27m project is an integral part of the Durham Riverside Renewal.

Rainton Construction was appointed to undertake both the Phase 1 and Phase 2 civil engineering and groundwork packages on this project. The overall development provides 8,000 square metres of high quality, eco-friendly offices, as well as retail and leisure accommodation.

Phase 1 works

Our Phase 1 work package included the technically challenging construction of a concrete channel in the River Wear to house a 13 metre long, 20 tonne Archimedean Screw for hydro-power generation on the site (the first UK city centre development to do so). Works also included:

• Construction of a fish pass, otter hotel, bat cave and Sand martin nest sites.
• Foundations, drainage, retaining walls, capping beam system, ground and upper floor slabs, hard landscaping and installation of street furniture.

The excavation and concrete channel works included constructing a 15m deep excavation in weak alluvial soil for a reinforced concrete turbine chamber and spillway. Work was carried out in the river, creating an extremely high risk working environment.

Phase 2 works

• Substructures and foundations.
• Upper, first and second floor slabs.
• Below ground drainage and service trenches.
• Hard landscaping.
• Piling mat.
• Off-site disposal of excavated material.
• Construction of steps and retaining walls and installation of street furniture.

Surfacing was undertaken by our in house team and the material was provided by Tynedale Roadstone.