Knights Brown successfully secured the contract for the design and construction of a steel framed warehouse with piled foundations and four metre high reinforced concrete retaining wall, at Alexandra Docks in Newport.

At approximately 3,000m² the design allowed for a further 40m extension, taking the internal footprint to 5,000m2 to meet future demand.

The single span storage shed is 60m long x 50m wide and has a minimum height of 8.5m from finished floor level.

Elements to the project include:

• Reinforced concrete floor slab to enable the operation of HGVs and loading shovels inside the shed, designed to prevent flooding and to meet the existing perimeter level.
• Surface water drainage system and diversion and decommissioning of existing services.
• Asphaltic pavement to the external perimeter.
• Provision and internal distribution of electricity.
• Foundations for and relocation of hi-mast lighting, including the decommissioning of existing services.

The works have been carried out in compliance with ABP’s safety code and security standards, guaranteeing confidence in safe delivery in a live dock environment, working around and over water.

During construction 624, 275mm square precast driven piles were installed in less than five weeks, including 44 to accommodate the shed’s future expansion.

The site was temporarily closed when the coronavirus pandemic delayed the arrival of the steel frame. Despite this additional challenge, we maintained an excellent working relationship with ABP’s portside and project teams, including agreeing to partially handover the new facility while external works proceed through to completion.

The Port of Newport handles around 2.2m tonnes of cargo a year, supporting 3,000 local jobs and contributing £186m a year to the economy of Wales. This new facility supports demand for high quality storage of a range of cargo handled by the port.