Established in 2001, Ward & Burke Construction Ltd delivers class-leading, reliable, sustainable and cost-effective construction solutions, specialising in bespoke design and quality construction of water and wastewater infrastructure, including treatment processes, pumping and storage solutions.
An Irish success story, Ward & Burke continues to go from strength to strength by undertaking some of the largest civil engineering and infrastructural projects at home and abroad. It has won numerous accolades down the years, the most recent being the Carbon & Sustainability Initiative of the Year Award at the New Civil Engineer Tunnelling Conference & Awards 2024.
Global leaders in tunnelling, the Galway company secured the prestigious award for works completed on the Royal Oak & Longsight Park Tunnel in Bolton in close collaboration with client, United Utilities. The Royal Oak & Longsight Park Tunnel Scheme is an innovative initiative aimed at enhancing the water quality of Bradshaw Brook by significantly reducing the frequency of spills from two Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) during storm events. Ward & Burke’s approach replaced the initially proposed construction of two large detention tanks with a more sustainable and less intrusive 900m pipe-jacked tunnel.
Judges noted that: “it was particularly impressive to see the way sustainability was built in from the project outset, with a redesign that clearly put carbon-saving first. Alongside the key principle of sustainability by design, it was encouraging to see the co-benefits of this project for the local community and biodiversity as well as the wider university collaboration.”
Ward & Burke was also shortlisted for the 2024 Civil Engineering Contractors’ Association Award for the €88m Blanchardstown Regional Drainage Scheme (BRDS) – 9C Sewer Duplication and Storage Contract which was completed in collaboration with Uisce Éireann and Fingal County Council
The upgrade of infrastructure reduces wastewater overflows into the River Tolka and protects habitats in Dublin Bay. It also plays a critical role in supporting residential and commercial development in North West Dublin and East Meath. The project was delivered against a background of significant technical and environmental challenges and constraints, and by use of cutting-edge construction technologies, innovative design and detailed planning.
The works increased capacity of the sewerage network, catering for increased flows and facilitating future development of the area. The project consisted of 3.2km of micro-tunnelling (1.8m and 1.5m diameter) and 30,000m3 of off-line storage beneath Waterville Park.
All civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and control design were carried out in-house and the project was delivered by Ward & Burke’s direct labour construction team of carpenters, tunnellers, skilled drivers and many more.
Recently, Ward & Burke became part of the Storm Overflow Alliance created by Yorkshire Water to deliver up to £1bn of capital investment in AMP8. The alliance is a significant and strategic partnership between Yorkshire Water, Ward & Burke, AitkinsRéalis, Morrison Water Services and Stantec.
Yorkshire Water serves more than five million customers and 140,000 businesses, in addition to millions of visitors to Yorkshire each year, and covers an area of around 12,000 square kilometres. The establishment of the alliance represents a bold commitment to addressing storm overflow discharges and the associated environmental impacts on river and coastal waters.
The alliance is a truly integrated, high-performing industry-leading team that will deliver high-quality sustainable solutions and world-class performance for Yorkshire Water as it undertakes its ambitious investment plans for the next five years. The plans, which are currently awaiting approval from Ofwat, could see over £1bn being invested to reduce storm overflow operation in the region.
The contract will run throughout the AMP8 period for an initial period of five years, with the option to extend for another five.
As a dedicated organisation, the alliance will collaboratively provide comprehensive engineering solutions, including strategic planning, design, management, and delivery of critical infrastructure. It will explore opportunities from increased storage capacity within wastewater treatment works, to smarter sewer network operations – with a key focus on blue-green solutions.
The partnership has a shared commitment to sustainability, to protect and enhance the environment, and to create social value. By prioritising local employment and engaging local supply chain partners with a focus on low carbon materials and construction methods, the Alliance will further support the communities within Yorkshire Water’s service area. It will also ensure efficiencies, so customers see value for money in the work that is being done.
Since its inception almost 25 years ago, Ward & Burke has sought to develop and adopt the ideals and aspirations to civil engineering construction. The result is a company that has enjoyed rapid growth and development in a wide variety of construction disciplines under the direction of Padraig Burke. Ward & Burke currently employs over 1,200 highly-skilled, self-motivated and dedicated people with experience across a broad range of construction activity. Micro-managing construction projects in terms of design alternatives, construction method and programming has been fundamental to ensuring client satisfaction and company success.
Ward & Burke excels in the areas of water, wastewater, road and bridge, marine and coastal, energy infrastructure and waste treatment facilities. The company is an industry leader with experience in water conveyance, pumping stations, water treatment facilities and reservoirs. Its reputation in this technically complex area stems from a combination of civil and MEICA resources, design, project management skills and extensive self-performance capabilities.
The Galway firm’s award-winning projects in the wastewater sector include design, construction, operation and maintenance of municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants, pipelines, storage and full turnkey solutions. It delivers schemes utilising in-house civil and MEICA resources.
The company’s approach combines industry-leading design expertise with self-performing capability, not just in construction but with maintenance, repair and operation. Its wastewater experience includes major projects for municipal water authorities as well as industrial water treatment. Its expertise in design, construction and start-up of wastewater solutions and processes for customers ensures the whole life cost and operability are at the forefront of every solution. Ward & Burke has experience with all major treatment technologies and can provide solutions that offer the lowest risk and best results for its clients.
Ward & Burke has undertaken numerous road and bridge construction projects on behalf of both local and national authorities. It has adapted to an increasing variety of contract forms, ranging from traditionally procured to lump sum design and build construction.
Bridge construction projects undertaken by the company have included new architecturally significant bridges, rehabilitation of existing structures and reconstruction of protected bridges. A particular feature of many of its road and bridge construction projects has been the use of in-house design solutions and innovative construction methods to deal with project constraints such as environmental restrictions and fisheries requirements.
Ward & Burke’s marine experience includes sea defence works, flood prevention, breakwaters, fish passes, causeways, harbours and maintenance projects such as fendering works. Many of these projects are typically isolated geographically and demanding on both labour and plant. In-house engineering and ingenuity are a key feature of the company’s marine and coastal capability. It carries out marine projects as stand-alone schemes and as part of major frameworks.
In addition, Ward & Burke has carried out a number of energy and waste-to-energy projects, particularly in the UK. Its size and flexibility allow it to offer various construction options to suit clients’ needs, including stand-alone FRC, earthworks, pipework or any combination of the above. Ward & Burke also provides detailed design across civil, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, control automation and process disciplines.
With offices in Ireland, the UK, USA and Canada, Ward & Burke is ideally placed to continue its remarkable growth for many years to come.
Ward & Burke Construction Ltd
Stradbally East,
Kilcolgan,
Co. Galway,
H91 W279.
Telephone: +353 (0)91 340 100
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.wardandburke.com
This article was published in Building Ireland Magazine, April 2025, Vol 11 No 4
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