Sizewell C Park & Ride

The challenge

The UK Government identified the need to invest in new energy production to create a reliable electricity source for years to come. Together with wind and solar, the proposals for Sizewell C in Suffolk centred on building a new nuclear power station. 

A Development Consent Order was secured for this Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project in 2022 and to facilitate construction of the power station, a park and ride facility was required to enable construction workers to travel to the main development site via buses, thus removing construction worker cars from the road, and mitigating the impact of construction on the local community. 

The solution

We worked with the client to develop the concept designs for the park and ride facility to comply with the Development Consent Order requirements. This included the design of 1,250 parking spaces, landscaping layout, lighting provision, security fencing, welfare facilities and amenity buildings, all of which would be in place for a 15-year construction period and would then be returned back to agricultural land.

We carried out ground investigations and surveys to assess existing infrastructure and a cut and fill analysis to optimise earth movement. All our designs were coordinated through a 3D model visualisation (using 3D AutoCAD and REVIT software) to show clash detections and optimise designs.

We also assumed the Principal Designer role, producing relevant health and safety documentation in line with CDM regulations (2015) and cost estimates to assess the economic viability of the schemes.

The result

The output of our work was construction drawings and specifications for the park and ride which could be used to formally tender the project to contractors. We provided 3D models (BIM level 2) free of clashes for contractors to utilise while on site, improvising visualisations, enhancing communication and accurate quantity take off and cost estimation.

Health and safety documentation was provided to assist the contractor with risk management, improve site safety and better planning and coordination. Finally, management documents demonstrating compliance with SZC procedures, DCO requirements and delivery to the required scope.