Although Ryebridge Construction’s origins can be found working at airports, it was probably inevitable the company embraced the opportunities of a different, yet somewhat similar, transport hub – ports.
Having established a reputation as experts in working in restricted environments with operational constraints, Ryebridge was well placed to deliver in the challenging field of ports, where it is also essential there is no impact on day-to-day operations and a need to prioritise both safety and security.
One of the first contracts to be secured was for the Port of Harwich entrance works in 2019,
This included reprofiling and alterations to the entrance and roundabout, realignment of fence line, demolition of existing damage control unit, and the installation of anti-collision measures around the new building – including bollards, trief kerbing and CCTV mast foundations.
With the existing freight entrance adjacent to the new facility it was business critical that this was kept operational for the duration of the works.
Following the success of this project, Ryebridge scouted for other opportunities at ports around the UK, and in the wake of the pandemic won the tender for a huge multi-million pound project in Southampton.
The new Solent Rail Terminal, which strengthens the city’s leading position as the UK’s number one gateway for deep-sea trade, took 18 months to complete, including a full design and build, and was the first project of this type Ryebridge had worked on.
A £17.5m investment between Associated British Ports (ABP) and Solent Stevedores, the 18-acre facility expanded the intermodal rail transport site to broaden the service offer by providing laden and empty container handling, storage, maintenance, and repair within a single-site boundary.
Features of the new site included a newly designed track layout facilitating simultaneous train arrival and departures increasing the terminal’s efficiency and extending the rail loading pad by 130m.
The larger intermodal site – which includes container storage with full maintenance and repair facilities – can now handle a 71 per cent increase in daily services with a 125 per cent increase in number of containers handled.
The success of this project led ABP to engage Ryebridge’s services on Marchwood Phase 1, the redevelopment of the port for trading, including the construction of a vast vehicular storage hard-surface area with all kerbs, surfacing, drainage, ducts and manholes, alongside a new security gatehouse and entrance.
The project, which got underway in October 2023, involved the demolition of existing site buildings and off-site highway upgrades, alongside the realignment of the internal highway network and upgraded railway crossing points, and the installation of new high mast lights, site CCTV and the electrical infrastructure.
In a company first for environmental excellence, Ryebridge transported the 13,000t of material needed for the work on two boats, eliminating 3,800 lorry movements and the generation of 307 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions (based on 25 tonne vehicles each travelling 10 miles).
Although this meant double-handling the material as it was loaded onto and off the boats, it was deemed to be worth the effort to ensure there was minimal impact on the local community.
Ryebridge’s ongoing commitment to Southampton has seen the company’s workforce grow from 10 local people and sub-contractors in 2022 to a staff of more than 50 people fully employed and drawn from the local workforce.
In November 2024 Ryebridge was engaged by DP World to work at their base at the port, removing in situ pre-cast concrete slabs, breaking out a defective drain and installing a new Gatic and brushed finished concrete slabs.
As is often the case in this environment, the project had a tight programme wand involved working in a busy live operations yard. The defective draining was causing flooding and external damage and urgently needed replacing, but by working weekends and longer days the company ensured the project was completed within time and budget.
Just over five years since Ryebridge first entered the world of ports the company has confirmed its commitment to future projects within the field, drawing on earned experience alongside the recruitment of skilled professionals best placed to operate in this marketplace.
