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Award for Barnsley Interchange

Barnsley Interchange’s unique structures and innovative designs have impressed the Institution of Civil Engineers so much they have awarded it their highest regional accolade - the Award for Excellence.

The interchange was honoured at the Civil Engineers’ Yorkshire and Humber Awards ceremony on Friday night. At the ceremony judges described the facility as having the ‘wow’ factor and said it was ‘inspiring and refreshing’.

David Young, Head of Transport Integration at South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) – who was behind the construction of the new interchange, said: “This is wonderful news and as an organisation we are delighted that our work has been so highly acknowledged. 

“It is a brilliant piece of architecture, planning and construction using recyclable materials and already, nearly a year after it has opened, we have seen a dramatic rise in the number of people who are using the interchange." 

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is a charity that exists to promote and progress civil engineering. They are a qualifying body aimed to encourage innovation and excellence in the Civil Engineering profession worldwide.

Speaking about the project ICE judges, said: This project certainly has the wow factor. Its contemporary appearance is inspiring and refreshing. The interior of the interchange is equally impressive with a spacious, friendly and open environment. By maximising the use of recycled materials and taking advantage of using daylight and natural ventilation, the project’s environmental credentials are to be applauded.”

The £24 million transport interchange was opened to the public last May after three years of development. 

Other partners involved in the project include Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Department for Transport, Objective One and Yorkshire Forward, with Arup as engineers, Jefferson Sheard as architects and main contractor Laing O’Rourke.

The team were supported by Billington Structures, who worked with Arup to delineate and model the winged roof structure prior to manufacture. The structural frame incorporates some of the most complex steelwork ever fabricated at Billington to create the aerofoil sections of the roof.

Arup Associate Director, Paul Irwin, comments: 'The new Barnsley Transport Interchange plays a crucial role in making Barnsley more accessible for both residents and visitors, and provides a contemporary landmark and 'gateway' to the Town. It is fantastic to have the work of the project team recognised by the ICE, particularly after Arup had shaped the early scheme concepts and feasibility through our engineering framework with SYPTE. The design and delivery of the project provided the team with several complex engineering challenges that were met with innovative techniques, and have ultimately delivered a first class transport facility for SYPTE and the people of Barnsley.” 

Billington Business Development Manager, Bob King informed “With no precedents to consider the aerofoil design utilised every facet of Billington’s capabilities both in the drawing office, during 3D modelling and on site, during some complex erection procedures. Being our home town, it is fair to say we are exceptionally proud of the resulting structure and the positive influence it will generate on visitors to the town”.

The new interchange has 22 bus stands, two coach stands, state-of-the-art customer information systems, retail units and a direct bridge link to Barnsley railway station.

It is a safe, clean, modern environment for all bus and rail passengers and has been designed to cater for the needs of all passengers with escalators, lifts and ramps. The development of the interchange is part of SYPTE’s overall strategy to encourage more people to use public transport.

The interchange is the first project to be completed as part of the Remaking Barnsley project and provides better bus and rail access to and from Barnsley town centre for residents and visitors.
Posted: 25/03/2008 11:18:01 by Global Administrator | with 0 comments


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