February 2010
Portsmouth Commercial Port recently hosted a ‘turning of the sod’ ceremony, with the next stage of its new terminal site’s construction within reach.
Halcrow’s Roger Walsgrove was at the turf cutting ceremony, joining local councillor Mike Hancock, key members of the Portsmouth Commercial Port and employees from the project’s contractor – Mansell.
The 2,700m² new terminal building will replace warehouses, keeping a similar footprint yet gaining 75 per cent of extra floor space, including a larger canopy.
Halcrow has been involved in the project since carrying out a master plan to determine the optimum location and size of the building, using a thorough consultation exercise with all of the building stakeholders including the newly formed UK Border Force, Special Branch and ferry operators.
A team including Halcrow, D5 and Baqus has been involved in the concept through to the detailed design of the building and surrounding infrastructure. Tender preparation, reporting and contract negotiations followed, leading the commencement on site by contractor Mansell on 11 January 2010.
The next stage will involve driving pre-cast concrete pile foundations into the ground, followed by foundation piers being capped and in-situ ground beams installed.
The building will feature the latest in sustainable technologies, comprising natural ventilation, sea water heating and cooling and salt water flushing. The building is looking to achieve a BREEAM rating of ‘very good’ but current aspirations are to improve this to ‘excellent’.
Ferry port manager, Phil Gadd, says: “It is exciting seeing such change taking place at the port and it is reassuring that everything is currently on schedule and that foundations for the new building will be put down soon. Over the last six months a number of enabling works have been taking place to resurface a large area, demolish existing buildings and re-locate workshops. We look forward to seeing the building being constructed in the future.”