Northern Trains - Hull Botanic Gardens Tracton Maintenance Depot

The Challenge

The existing welfare and office buildings at Hull TMD are crucial to Northern Train’s operations but are aging and required modernisation. A variety of improvements were required to the accommodation buildings and outside spaces to ensure the depot was fit for purpose for the increased staffing levels during the “Neville Hill Blockade” and future depot requirements. The following improvements were required:

• Conversion of existing redundant century old brick workshops to new accommodation areas including new toilets, showers, locker rooms, meeting areas, training rooms and kitchens.
• Refurbishment of existing offices and welfare areas to a modern standard including specification of all floor, ceiling and wall coverings.
• Roof repairs throughout including the replacement of slates, supporting timberwork and installation of new roof lights.
• Upgrade to Fire Alarm system throughout the offices and welfare building
• Increased number of car parking spaces in a restricted area adjacent to live railway lines including all kerbing, drainage and white lining.

All surveys and construction works were required to be conducted in a working depot adjacent to open railway lines.

The Solution

GGP Consult were employed by Colt Construction, on behalf of Northern Trains, to complete the necessary surveys and design. The surveys included Topographical, Building Condition Surveys and Electrical Load monitoring. Working with the supply chain as Lead Designer, GGP Consult produced a Network Rail Detailed Design (Form G) including all Architectural, Civil, Structural, and Mechanical and Electrical designs necessary to suit the clients brief. All design work was completed in accordance with Network Rail Standards and Building Regulations. The design was completed in January 2023.

The Result

The refurbishment works were undertaken by Colt Construction with final completion in early 2023 to a high standard and meeting the client’s brief. The end product was a sympathetic refurbishment of an aging structure and a superb example of “upcycling” an existing asset rather than entire replacement, minimising the client cost and reducing the overall carbon footprint compared to a new build.