Back in August 2022, Ryebridge won the tender to build the Solent Rail Terminal in Southampton, a joint initiative between Associated British Ports (ABP) and Solent Stevedores which expanded the existing intermodal rail transport site to offer additional laden and empty container handling, storage, maintenance, and repair.
The success of this project, the first of its type Ryebridge had worked on, led ABP to engage our 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.
Additionally, the company built a new security gatehouse and entrance ready for when the site is fully operational.
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.
The company was subsequently engaged by DP World to work at their base at the port on drainage improvements and concrete works.
Ryebridge’s first venture into the port sector was at Harwich International Port, where the team worked on a four-month contract to construct a new damage control facility, which incorporates anti-collision measures.
Harwich works included reprofiling and alterations to the entrance and roundabout, realignment of fence line, demolition of existing damage control unit, installing anti-collision measures around new building including bollards, trief kerbing, CCTV mast foundations.
The fundamental objective was to ensure that the works were successfully completed with no ongoing operational impact for the client. The existing freight entrance was adjacent to the new entrance and it was business critical that the main entrance and surrounding areas were kept operational.
Ryebridge’s Port Services:
Concreting
Demolition
Drainage
High Mast Lighting
General repairs and maintenance
Ground remediation
Security Fencing
Utility diversions
Ryebridge, which celebrated 15 years in business in 2024, has historically specialised in the airport sector, a sector with significant parallels to ports.