Esh Construction reinforces Blyth’s Ash Barge Dock
Esh Construction is transforming Blyth’s historic Ash Barge Dock into a state-of-the-art facility, setting the stage for its role in the renewable energy and advanced manufacturing industries. Located at Northumberland Energy Park (NEP), an offshore energy base located near the Port of Blyth, the dock is being fitted with new infrastructure to support the import and export of large components and goods.
The project, led by property investment and development company Advance Northumberland, started in June 2024 and is expected to be completed by spring 2025. It focuses on building resilience into the dock's infrastructure to handle the demands of modern industry. At its heart is the construction of a 3,000m² piled concrete relieving slab, designed to strengthen the quay walls and increase the dock's capacity to a working load of 5,300 kilonewtons (kN).
“This is a major step forward for the dock,” explains an Esh Construction spokesperson. “It’s not just about reinforcing the structure; it’s about enabling Blyth to support larger vessels and more complex projects in the renewable energy sector.”
Breathing new life into old infrastructure
The Ash Barge Dock has a long history tied to Blyth’s industrial past, originally built to support the transport of ash waste from the local power station. Now, it is being reimagined as a critical piece of infrastructure for Northumberland Energy Park, which is central to the region’s clean energy ambitions.
Esh’s work involves the careful installation of 175 tubular steel piles, each between 16 and 18.5m long. These piles are the foundation for the 1m thick reinforced concrete relieving slabs, which will span the west and north quay walls. The team is also constructing 540mm thick transition slabs and a 300mm thick general paving access road to ensure vehicles and heavy equipment can operate safely on site.
The dock’s stormwater drainage is also being upgraded. New QMAX drainage channels will connect to a modern stormwater system, complete with bypass interceptor tanks to handle runoff effectively. Hydro-demolition techniques are being used to remove existing capping beams, paving the way for replacing the old 30-tonne bollards with 50-tonne bollards, ready to berth larger vessels.
Concrete at the core
At the heart of this transformation is concrete. Over 8,500 cubic metres of it will be poured during the project, supplied by Breedon Group. The concrete mix, including C32/40 for structural slabs and PAV2 for paving, ensures the dock will stand the test of time.
The sheer scale of the work is impressive, requiring more than 40 separate pours, each carefully scheduled to meet the site’s specifications. This includes 3,750m³ for the structural relieving and transition slabs and 3,000m³ for the access paving slabs. Smaller amounts are being used for drainage channels, culvert plugs, and blinding concrete across the site.
Collaboration and expertise
Delivering a project of this complexity requires collaboration across multiple disciplines. Esh is self-delivering much of the concrete and drainage work, while partnering with specialist contractors. Sheet Piling UK installed the tubular steel piles using a Sennebogen 673R 70-tonne crawler crane, while RGL Ltd handled the hydro-demolition. Marine enhancements, including fender installation and deflector plates, are being managed by Southbay Civil Engineering.
Advanced equipment plays a crucial role. Concrete is being poured using 42-metre pumps from Bailey Concrete Pumps, while formwork for the slabs and drainage channels is provided by RMD Kwikform. This coordination ensures that each element is delivered precisely and efficiently.
Supporting clean energy
The Ash Barge Dock upgrade is a key part of the Bates Clean Energy Terminal, a hub designed to position Blyth as a leader in the renewable energy supply chain. It’s one of several projects at Northumberland Energy Park aimed at supporting the UK’s transition to greener industries.
Esh Construction, based in County Durham, operates across northern England and Scotland, specialising in infrastructure and civil engineering. The company sees this project as a significant contribution to the region’s energy future.
“This dock will serve as a gateway for the components and materials needed to build the UK’s offshore energy projects,” says an Esh spokesperson. “We’re proud to play a role in making that vision a reality.”
As Blyth continues to transform into a hub for clean energy, the Ash Barge Dock stands as a symbol of how the construction sector is helping shape a sustainable future.
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