Andrew Sainsbury, Economic Counsellor at the Australian High Commission, visited the High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd Old Oak Common station site to see first-hand how Marr is helping deliver a major new transport hub for London, and to hear how the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement has supported the continued growth of Marr’s UK operations.
The project is being delivered by the Balfour Beatty VINCI SYSTRA Joint Venture (BBVSJV), utilising a Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) approach. High-capacity cranes were needed to realise this vision and the JV partners turned to Marr for help.
Working together, Marr & BBVSJV developed a three-crane solution − including two of Marr’s 330-tonne capacity M2480D heavy lift luffing cranes, supported by a 96-tonne capacity M860DX – that declutters the site and takes complexity out of cranage and construction on the project.
Simon Marr, Managing Director at Marr Contracting, said: “Essentially, the greater reach and lift capacity of the cranes means that larger and heavier pre-assembled modules can be used. This reduces the need for temporary works, working at heights and steel truss ‘splicing’, which all help to drive productivity and improve safety on the project.”
Atul Jewitt, Balfour Beatty VINCI Systra Delivery Director, said: “The deployment of heavy lift tower cranes from Marr’s UK operations at Old Oak Common is central to our construction strategy, enabling the safe and efficient installation of key structural components across the site.
“Their use reflects the strength of our collaboration with international partners and suppliers, whose expertise and technology have been seamlessly integrated into our delivery model. This partnership approach is helping us meet the complex engineering demands of one of the UK’s most ambitious infrastructure projects.”
Andrew Sainsbury, Economic Counsellor at the Australian High Commission, added: “It is fitting to be visiting Marr’s operations at HS2 to help mark the second anniversary of Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force on 31 May 2023.
“The Free Trade Agreement has opened new opportunities to deepen two-way trade and investment. More Australian businesses are exporting to the UK than ever before, and the stock of two-way foreign direct investment has increased to A$366 billion (2024).
“Marr’s operations at HS2 are an excellent example of how innovative Australian businesses are working with UK partners on infrastructure projects, leveraging their skills and expertise to deliver outcomes that increase productivity and support economic growth.”
The Free Trade Agreement has helped Marr further expand its international operations into the UK with additional projects including: Hinkley Point C Unit 2 Turbine Hall, the Lostock Sustainable Energy Plant and North London Heat & Power.
Simon added: “It has made it much easier for us to do business here, particularly in terms of our ability to bid on other large-scale projects through access to UK construction frameworks.
“We’re now working on a number of large infrastructure projects in the energy and rail sectors, demonstrating that there is an alternative approach to projects of this scale that is safer, more productive and more efficient.
“The expansion of our UK operations is also offering new opportunities for professional development, shared learning and the transfer of knowledge and skills between our Australian and UK operations.”
Old Oak Common Station will be a new transport superhub in West London. It will include six high speed and eight conventional service platforms offering quick, reliable, and comfortable journeys to the Midlands, the North and Scotland, as well connections into central London, the West Country and South Wales.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Dan Gerrella
Liz Male Consulting
e: dan@lizmale.co.uk
m: +44 (0)7783 510 848
