Henry Boot Construction has been selected by Network Rail to build a fully sustainable Maintenance Delivery Unit (MDU) in Sheffield, the contractor’s second MDU commission for the rail infrastructure owner.

The £7.2 million design-and-build scheme was awarded via a two-stage tender, mirroring and advancing the successful approach used on the ongoing Barnetby MDU project in North Lincolnshire.

Planned for Network Rail’s Blast Lane Depot, the 15,000 sq ft facility will feature a modern timber-frame main building. Aligned to the organisation's 'Greener Railway' strategy, it will operate at net zero and deliver a minimum 10% Biodiversity Net Gain.

Part-funded through Network Rail's Green Bank, the project will incorporate heat recovery ventilation, smart lighting and controls, an expanded rooftop solar PV array, upgraded building fabric and efficient water management systems.

Working with Network Rail, the team has optimised the layout and cut the building footprint by more than 25%, reducing materials, costs and operational energy while improving functionality. A standardised structural grid and simplified form enable off-site construction and waste reduction, with internal spaces reconfigured for efficiency and future flexibility.

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Soft landscaping, including pollinator-friendly planting, will support at least a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain, creating a welcoming, healthy setting and improving the site’s environmental resilience. Over its first 20 years, the MDU is expected to avoid around 850 tonnes of CO₂e—about 42.5 tonnes annually—compared with a traditional design.

"We’re proud to be partnering with Network Rail once again on another forward-thinking MDU scheme, building on the strong progress of our Barnetby project. Repeat business of this nature reflects the trust and collaboration we’ve built with Network Rail and showcases how our pre-construction function delivers real benefits for our clients. This new facility will set another benchmark for sustainable design and timber-frame delivery across Yorkshire and the wider region," said Lee Powell, Managing Director

"We are delighted to have appointed HBC to deliver this vital project within our MDU portfolio. The new MDU will provide much-needed, high-quality accommodation for our frontline staff, with the sustainability initiatives proposed as part of the scheme delivering long-term benefits for the North and East Route," said Chris Round, Senior Portfolio Manager at Network Rail Eastern Routes Capital Programmes.

The timber-frame approach will lock in carbon and enhance wellbeing, with elements of the structure left exposed and vaulted ceilings introduced as a signature feature on the upper floors. The design intent is for the Sheffield MDU to serve as a national blueprint for low-carbon, future-ready railway facilities.

Site works are due to begin next month, with completion scheduled for 2027.