Main contractor Jackson has specified Algeco site cabins during reconstruction of flood defences along the River Derwent in Matlock town centre.
Jackson specified Algeco because of the quality of its accommodation and rapid turnaround offered by the company on its one-stop 360 Service. The Algeco 360 Service is available as a full turnkey hire solution including fittings and furniture. Fire protection equipment is now a standard offering for all Algeco hire units.
Following a storm event in February 2022, a 20 metre section of riverside wall in Matlock collapsed, resulting in the town becoming vulnerable to flooding. The decision was taken to reinstate the wall and a short construction schedule was required in order to complete as much work during the summer months when the river level was lower.
Due to space constraints around the river work area, the Algeco site cabins were positioned in part of Matlock’s bus interchange, outside the town’s railway station. The ability to stack the Algeco site cabins two-storey and in a U-shape helped reduce ground space taken. Using the interchange for the site cabins meant that there was minimal disruption to the traffic flowing in and out of the town centre.
A total of seven Algeco site cabins were supplied for use as: secure storage units, gatehouse, smoking shelter, offices, meeting room, changing rooms and toilet block. They were delivered exactly to schedule and handed over to Jackson as a turnkey solution in June. As a result, the construction team were able to begin work in early summer as planned.
Jackson is well known for being considerate constructors, which was key in such a bustling town centre like Matlock. This extends to the welfare provision for Jackson staff and this was another reason why Algeco modules were supplied with 360 Service, including furniture, canteen pack, even down to the microwave and kettles, meaning they were ready to work on day one.
The main construction will be completed by Jackson in multiple phases with the aim of completing the bulk of engineered works before winter 2022/23. Jackson expects to continue work in stages throughout 2023 to make the engineered solution look aesthetically pleasing and in-keeping with the local character and heritage of Matlock.
Algeco site cabins will be utilised for the duration of the project. It is expected that they will be on hire for approximately 12 months.
Paul Robinson, General Foreman at Jackson, said: “Algeco devised a very effective solution around our site accommodation requirements, and we found the whole process of dealing with the company refreshingly straightforward. We were given multiple contacts at Algeco who we could call if needed.”
He added: “Supplying the cabins on a rapid turnaround has been pivotal in enabling our construction teams to begin work in early summer. The site accommodation solution that we have at Matlock provides a high-quality welfare, office and storage facility that is sited on a very tight footprint.”
Mark Fyfe, Business Development Manager – Infrastructure sector at Algeco, said: “Sometimes the most difficult element of a project is delivery of the final 5%. This was the case at Matlock, where the 5% revolved around meeting the constrained site requirements in a public car park and the rapid turnaround of the site cabins. We are pleased that the outcomes lived up to expectations and that the flood defence work is progressing to plan.”
The River Derwent runs through the centre of Matlock, the county town of Derbyshire, which means, along with surface water flooding, the area presents a risk of flooding. Major stakeholders in the project include the Environment Agency, who is the client, Derbyshire County Council and Derbyshire Dales District Council.
There is no landward access to the river from behind Crown Square in Matlock and so Jackson had to use of an 800-ton crane – named ‘Lifty McShifty’ in a local competition – to lift plant equipment and materials into the work area.
To find out more about Algeco modular building hire solutions, click here.
