Esh Construction has been appointed for a £7.3 million scheme that will complete the fitout of the recently widened Ash Barge Dock at Northumberland Energy Park (NEP).

NEP is the premier offshore energy base, located near the Port of Blyth. The site is part of Energy Central, the UK’s unique port-based service, investment and growth cluster for companies operating in the offshore energy and subsea markets.

Working on behalf of Advance Northumberland, the scheme includes the construction of a 3,000m² piled concrete relieving slab behind the west and north quay walls at ground level. On completion, areas of the berth will provide a safe working load of 5,300kN to make the dock serviceable for the import and export of components and finished goods.

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Esh Construction’s Divisional Director, Steven Garrigan, said: "The contract marks the start of a new relationship with Advance Northumberland, and we’re delighted to be bringing our expertise to this project which forms part of the wider Phase 1 enabling works plan to provide an extended and deep-water berth at the Ash Barge Dock."

The work, to be delivered by Esh's civil engineering division, will see more than 7,000m³ of concrete – the equivalent volume of 2.5 Olympic swimming pools - poured to replace sand and stone. A total of 183 long tubular piles will be installed to support the reinforced concrete slab.

Approximately 9,000m² of concrete paving will be laid and new drainage incorporated to take surface water run-off, while the existing mooring bollards will be upgraded to increase capacity to loads of up to 100 tonnes.