Graham has been awarded a significant £67m contract for a project at the UK’s low-level nuclear waste site in Cumbria.
- The contract involves installing a replacement interim trench cap over the Southern Trenches at the low-level waste repository.
- Originally estimated at £53m, the project cost has increased to £67m according to a recent contract notice.
- Graham is responsible for all project aspects including labour, materials, management, and supervision.
- Construction is set to begin in February 2025, with a four-year timeline, following Graham’s prior enabling works at the site.
Graham has secured a major contract valued at £67m, providing an essential upgrade to the United Kingdom’s low-level nuclear waste management infrastructure at the Cumbria site. This prestigious assignment, given by Nuclear Waste Services, underscores Graham’s established expertise and reliability in handling complex nuclear waste challenges. The project’s focal point is the installation of a replacement engineered interim trench cap over the Southern Trenches at the low-level waste repository (LLWR), a critical facility that processes waste from multiple sectors, including nuclear, educational, medical, research, and defence.
Historically, the LLWR has received waste materials such as paper, cardboard, plastic, protective clothing, soil, rubble, and metal, consolidated in large, grouted metal containers before disposal in specially engineered concrete vaults. Graham’s new role encompasses comprehensive responsibilities across the project spectrum, including the provision of labour, equipment, materials, and meticulous project management and supervision. The installation of contractors’ cabins is scheduled for later this year, setting the stage for the main construction phase commencing in February 2025.
Initially projected to cost £53m when tendered last October, the project’s financial allocation has surged to £67m according to newly released contract data. This increment reflects the enhanced scope of the project under Graham’s tenure, marking a significant investment in the long-term environmental safety and operational efficacy of the waste repository.
The choice of Graham for this critical endeavour follows their successful completion of an £8m enabling works package. Since being enlisted on the LLWR engineering and construction framework in 2014 and appointed to this phase in 2019, Graham has established foundational elements such as construction compounds, haul roads, material stockpile areas, and drainage lagoons. This historical performance lays a firm groundwork for the new project phase.
Public confidence in Graham is reinforced by Nuclear Waste Services’ commendation in a recent newsletter, which praised the contractor’s work ethic and community respect. They noted Graham’s adherence to high standards and commitment to the Considerate Constructors Scheme, positioning them as a trusted partner in this significant infrastructural upgrade.
The awarding of this contract to Graham signals a continued commitment to safety and excellence in nuclear waste management within the UK.
