Civil engineering company, Story Contracting, have been recognised in the ICE North East Robert Stephenson Awards (RSA) for their delivery of Horden Station.
Taking place this year via a virtual format, the Awards celebrate examples of civil engineering excellence in the North East and seek to recognise particular merit, physical achievement, innovation or ingenuity.
Horden Station was a joint project between Durham County Council, Network Rail, Northern and Story Contracting – funded by the local authority, with an additional £4.4 million from the Department of Transport’s New Stations Fund and a grant from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership.
Despite the challenges caused by Covid-19, it was one of the fastest ever UK station design and builds. The pandemic saw the Story Contracting team adapt and implement numerous additional health and safety measures in order to continue work on the essential project.
In total, it took Story only 6 months to design the station and 5 months to construct the two new platforms.
Dan Jones, Operations Director in Story Contracting’s Eastern region, said: “We are delighted to have been recognised in the ICE awards for our design and build of Horden Station. This is a testament to the team’s hard work and ability to adapt to the unprecedented circumstances created by the pandemic.”
Situated on the Durham coastline, Horden Station serves the Northern Rail service and now enables the connection of local communities that previously had no immediate rail links.
Providing direct transport to Newcastle, Sunderland, Hartlepool and Teesside, it is expected that over 70,000 journeys could be made to the station once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
Dan said: “We’re particularly proud to have delivered a project that will have a positive and long-lasting impact on the local community, providing a boost to the economy and widening employment opportunities for the local residents.
“We look forward to passengers reaping the benefits of this much needed project for years to come.”
It is the second time this year that Story have been recognised by the ICE, having won the Company of the Year Award at the Yorkshire and Humber Awards at the start of March.
This acknowledged the work done by the company to stabilise the railway embankment at Hessle Foreshore, as well as their commitment to inspire the next generation of engineers through school engagement projects in the region.
