Esh completes £8m Ash Barge Dock fit-out

The work at Northumberland Energy Park has paved the way for the dock to become operational.

Work included the installation of 173 tubular steel piles to depths from 16 to 18.5 metres to support the one metre deep reinforced concrete relieving slab, which will allow for goods to be loaded and unloaded safely by vehicles.

Carried out in partnership with Advance Northumberland, the dock is now able to be used for the import and export of components and goods.

NEP is located near the Port of Blyth and part of Energy Central, a port-based cluster for companies in the offshore energy and subsea markets.

Elsewhere on the site, two existing 4m diameter culverts were decommissioned, which were remnants from the previous Blyth power station, and hydro-demolition was undertaken to remove eight 30-tonne mooring bollards from existing capping beams.

These have now been upgraded by the casting of 50-tonne mooring bollards and a new 100-tonne mooring bollard foundation.

Esh Construction’s Divisional Director, Steven Garrigan, said: “It has been great to work with Advance Northumberland on this project and we are proud to have completed the scheme which forms part of the wider Phase 1 enabling works at the Ash Barge Dock.”

Steven Harrison, chief executive at Advance Northumberland, said: “The completion of the Ash Barge Dock marks a significant step forward for Northumberland Energy Park and the wider Energy Central cluster.

“This facility is now ready to serve future occupiers, helping to drive regeneration, investment, and skilled job creation across Northumberland.”