JP Concrete and Toro Shelters have completed the design and construction of a new building that increases salt availability for Central Bedfordshire's roads by 20%.

The 5,000 tonne Salt Barn was delivered on time and within budget for main contractor Morgan Sindall.

The lightweight yet robust building combines Toro's latticed galvanised steel structure with JP Concrete's precast retaining walls.

Initially, the design was set out for a traditional steel framed structure, with internal retaining walls to contain the grit salt. However, when Morgan Sindall wanted to explore an alternative method of construction, JP Concrete and Toro teamed up to bring about a far more cost-effective solution that will also prevent up to 1,000 tonnes of salt from leaching into the environment every year.

Working closely alongside Modular Cubed (who carried out the installation of the concrete elements) JPG (structural engineers) and main contractor, Morgan Sindall, the complete works package for the salt barn is part of a major new infrastructure project in Houghton Regis, near Dunstable.


Modular Cubed installed a total of 110 (3.2m high) of JP Concrete's precast L-shape retaining wall units. These were specially coated to make them resistant to aggressive saline solutions. Resistance to corrosion was also enhanced by utilising fibres instead of steel reinforcements. Toro then constructed its 28m x 35m shelter with tensioned composite membrane, before JP Concrete's 30m x 20m integral floor slab was put in place.

Tom Martin, Project Manager for Morgan Sindall, commented: "Together, the pro-active work of JP Concrete, Toro Shelters, Modular Cubed and JPG has resulted in a smooth-running and cost-effective job that looks very good indeed. From start to finish, everything has gone well, with a great turnaround from an innovative team who quickly understood our deadline and what we needed to achieve."

Edd Gowlett, Business Development Manager at Toro Corporation, added: "The design solution was clearly well thought out, with JP Concrete and Modular Cubed working tirelessly to deliver a seamless and extremely high quality installation that represents real value for the customer. There is clearly an ethos of helpfulness and professionalism that runs through both companies - and this is the reason that we will be asking them to quote for our future projects."

During the contract, JP Concrete and Toro Shelters also received Morgan Sindall's coveted Health & Safety award.

www.jpconcrete.co.uk