Challenge

SDS was commissioned to provide a sustainable drainage system (SuDS) for a new train servicing facility near Bristol. The drainage solution was to ensure that the facility remained flood-free and to protect the local watercourses and surrounding land from contaminated floodwater.

The construction of the Stoke Gifford depot began in 2013 and was completed in 2015. The depot has been operational since early 2016. The facility services up to 34 trains on the new Intercity Express electrified rail link between London and South Wales.

The site was part of a £5.7 billion development on the Great Western (GWR) and East Coast Mainlines. It will serve as a crucial maintenance facility for Hitachi Rail Europe’s service delivery operations for at least the next 27 years.

The facility comprises a maintenance building with two full-length internal roads, stabling and servicing roads, a carriage wash plant and a wheel lathe building, as well as 20km of new track. Office and staff accommodation have also been constructed.

Solution

SDS worked in close collaboration with design and engineering consultants, Arup, and specialist contractor, VolkerFitzpatrick, to design the most cost-effective engineering solution for the project.

The GEOlight® SuDS installation comprises a network of attenuation tanks, along with associated piping and flow control devices. It has the capacity to capture up to 7 million litres of excess surface water run-off from heavy and prolonged rainfall.

The total combined capacity of the GEOlight® tanks is approximately 7000m3.

SDS was able to overcome the restrictions of an absence of storage space on site and a single point of site access by using the location of its manufacturing facility to great advantage. Materials and equipment were produced and brought onto site, installation completed and any residual materials removed from site, all on the same day.

Outcome

The SDS drainage system protects the local watercourses and surrounding land from the risk of flooding and contamination.

Nico Wessels, Site Manager, VolkerFitzpatrick, commented: "SDS played a crucial role in designing a bespoke SuDS solution for this substantial development. As we continue to take on further rail development projects, we will be turning to SDS for their invaluable knowledge and expertise in this specialist and increasingly important sector".

GWR’s very public move to a greener, cleaner and more reliable rail network has been evidenced in every decision it has taken, and the appointment of SDS demonstrates the confidence both it and its contractors have vested, in an area of the country where flooding has generated extensive negative publicity.