HBC Completes £6 Million Sustainable Maintenance Delivery Unit in Barnetby
HBC Construction Limited, previously known as Henry Boot Construction, has successfully finalised the construction of a new sustainable Maintenance Delivery Unit (MDU) for Network Rail in Barnetby, North Lincolnshire. The project, valued at £6 million, commenced in May 2025 and features a two-storey main building spanning 9,500 sq ft, situated adjacent to Barnetby Station.
The construction involved not only the main building but also the reconfiguration of surrounding roads, infrastructure for associated services, a service yard, car parks for staff and visitors, and additional storage facilities. The main building is designed with a low-carbon timber aesthetic and includes enhanced amenities for workers, such as modern office spaces, a spacious workshop, meeting rooms, a canteen, changing facilities, and extensive storage areas.
Significantly, the building has been designed to reduce embodied carbon and improve thermal performance, with an optimised layout that maximises natural daylight. Sustainability features across the site include electric vehicle chargers, air-source heat pumps, triple-glazed windows, and rooftop solar photovoltaic panels. These comprehensive sustainability measures have been financed through Network Rail’s Green Bank, aligning with the rail operator’s broader environmental objectives.
Lee Powell, Managing Director of HBC, expressed pride in the project, stating, “We are incredibly proud of the high-quality delivery at Barnetby MDU; it is a true reflection of the skill and expertise we have within HBC. Beyond the build itself, we have developed a strong working relationship with Network Rail, built on trust, transparency, and a shared ambition to deliver efficient and well-designed MDUs. This project has also enabled us to continue expanding our portfolio beyond Yorkshire, supporting our continued delivery of quality construction across Lincolnshire and the wider regions in which we operate, including the Humber, East Midlands, Teesside, and beyond.”
The Barnetby MDU is part of Network Rail’s long-term commitment to environmental sustainability, aiming to support future-ready rail operations and establish a benchmark for future MDU projects across the country. Danny Phillips, Lead Portfolio Manager for the MDU Upgrade Portfolio at Network Rail Eastern Routes Capital Programmes, remarked, “I’m pleased to say that Network Rail’s relationship with HBC at Barnetby MDU has aligned perfectly with our commitment to building a simpler, better, greener railway. Working collaboratively with HBC has helped deliver efficiencies at each stage of the project. With sustainability at the heart of the decisions made, the end result is a fantastic facility that will provide our teams with a great place to work for years to come.”
This project marks the first of two significant Network Rail initiatives awarded to HBC, with the company also tasked with delivering the Sheffield MDU, which is scheduled for completion in 2027, building on the successful approach established at Barnetby. HBC secured the Barnetby project through the Crown Commercial Service Construction Works and Associated Services (CWAS) framework. In addition to the construction efforts, the contractor has supported various social value initiatives, including providing Barnetby United Football Club with a defibrillator, benefiting both the club and the wider local community.
