HBC Construction Limited (HBC), formerly known as Henry Boot Construction, has been appointed by Network Rail to deliver a new, fully sustainable Maintenance Delivery Unit (MDU) in Sheffield – it’s second MDU project for the railway infrastructure organisation.
The £7.2 million design and build contract was procured through a two-stage tender, replicating and evolving the successful approach used on the ongoing Barnetby MDU project in North Lincolnshire.
The new 15,000 sq ft facility at Network Rail’s Blast Lane Depot will host a modern timber-frame main building. Designed to meet Network Rail’s ‘Greener Railway’ strategy, the building will achieve net zero in operation and achieve a minimum 10% Biodiversity Net Gain.
Partially funded through Network Rail’s Green Bank, the project will include a range of sustainability measures, including heat recovery ventilation, smart lighting and controls, an enlarged rooftop solar PV array, improved building fabric, and efficient water management systems.
HBC’s project team has worked closely with Network Rail to optimise the building layout and reduce the footprint by more than 25% – cutting materials, costs, and operational energy use while improving functionality.
Standardising the structural grid and simplifying the building form allows for off-site construction and reduces waste, while internally, spaces have been reconfigured to enhance efficiency and support future flexibility.
Externally, the project aims to achieve at least a 10% Biodiversity Net Gain through soft landscaping improvements, including pollinator-friendly planting. These enhancements are designed to create a welcoming and healthy environment for staff and visitors while further supporting the site’s environmental resilience.
During its first 20 years alone, the Sheffield MDU is projected to save around 850 tonnes of CO₂e, equivalent to 42.5 tonnes per year, compared with a traditional design.
Lee Powell, managing director at HBC, said: “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.”
Chris Round, senior portfolio manager at Network Rail Eastern Routes Capital Programmes, commented:
“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.”
Works on site will begin next month, with completion scheduled for 2027.
Image credit: HBC
