Morgan Sindall hands over new Newcastle-under-Lyme car park

Morgan Sindall Construction’s North West team has completed a new £12m 450-space multi-storey car park on behalf of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, procured via the Pagabo Major Works Framework.

Work started on the new Castle car parking facility in January of last year as the pre-existing parking provisions at Midway were no longer fit for purpose and were demolished to make way for the new building, contributing to the wider regeneration plans in the area.

The new amenity extends over five storeys and 12,000sq.m, consisting of a steel frame with composite metal deck and concrete. In-line with the Council’s sustainability targets, the new car park hosts 22 electric vehicle charging points and its own dedicated cycle parking hub. Additionally, low-energy lighting has been installed, reducing the whole life cycle cost of the building.

Other features within the car park include automated main doors, designated blue-badge car parking on the lower levels and lifts and ramps to allow full accessibility.

Morgan Sindall has also used the opportunity to revitalise and landscape what was formerly an entirely concrete site, with a series of trees and hedgerows – increasing biodiversity in the area.

Aligned with its Intelligent Solutions approach, Morgan Sindall has collaborated closely with its supply chain and design partners throughout to streamline the design of crucial elements, including the steel frame and façade, aiming to enhance efficiency and eliminate waste. The integration of Modern Methods of Construction, such as pre-cast cores, has been employed to expedite the process and introduce greater flexibility.

Morgan Sindall remains committed to providing social value in the community, with three new positions created for local residents working directly for the contractor during the build programme. This includes a cleaner, a gate man and a key operator.

The multi-storey car park joins a 100-bed hotel and the wider York Place open space regeneration as key amenities financed by the Government’s Future High Street Fund.

Morgan Sindall worked alongside AHR (Architects) and Curtins Structural Engineering.

Stephen Sweeney, Deputy Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Cabinet member for Finance, Town Centres and Growth, said:

“Castle Car Park will play a key role in unlocking the wider multi-million-pound regeneration of Newcastle-under-Lyme’s town centre, by providing a clean, safe facility 24 hours a day. We’re delighted that this important first step is complete and paving the way to what will happen next.”

Steven Gregory, Morgan Sindall’s area director for the North West, said:

Delivering this car park represents a significant milestone in the wider regeneration of Newcastle-under-Lyme. By providing a larger, more efficient car parking facility, the Council can boost foot-traffic, create greater accessibility, and boost the local economy. At Morgan Sindall we are committed to enhancing communities and we are delighted to have played a role in improving this town centre. We appreciate the opportunity to work alongside the Council and for the close support and liaison they have provided throughout.”

Elliott Talbot framework manager at Pagabo said:

Within our growing portfolio of procurement routes for construction, the Major Works Framework acts as a key vehicle for the biggest schemes throughout the country, showcasing the reach and influence that effective framework offerings can have on the built environment.

Seeing effective collaboration between the client, supplier and wider delivery team is always a reflection of a successful procurement route, but even more so is seeing the impact that these large-scale projects have in terms of regeneration and delivering impactful social value in the area. This particular project is an example of the delivery of effective infrastructure through a substantial framework offering that champions compliance and quality, all while keeping the end user in mind.”

Pagabo manages the Major Works Framework on behalf of contracting authority Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust. The framework connects clients with suppliers like Morgan Sindall for the delivery of projects starting at £5m across the public sector.