NW business briefs: Celsius; LCRCA; McBreen Enviro; United Utilities; Cubico; Bacup and Rawtenstall Markets
Specialist refrigerated vehicle converter, Celsius, is scaling up testing of the next generation of super-efficient refrigeration systems at a new purpose-built testing chamber.
The Barnoldswick-based vehicle converter has invested heavily in research and development since winning government funding to trial new refrigeration solutions for the transition to electric fridge vans. The new chamber allows Celsius engineers and product developers to compare the performance of refrigeration units and insulation systems in a whole range of fridge vans.
The test chamber is fitted out with the innovative new recycled insulation material which Celsius uses to line its super-efficient fridge vans. A battery of sensors and calibration equipment collects a wide range of performance data under precision temperature-controlled conditions. This data is then analysed to optimise the combination of components used in the fridge conversion.
Since it was commissioned earlier this year, the test chamber has provided several valuable insights into how different chiller units perform in a variety of vehicles and the impact of new insulation technologies.
Celsius Conversions Manager, Sam Hargreaves, said: “The new test chamber has been a game-changer for us. Obviously we don’t want to disclose all of the findings the data has revealed, but it’s helping us pinpoint easy wins and focus on incremental gains to make our refrigeration and insulation systems as energy efficient as possible.
“The testing equipment is so sensitive that we can tell when someone has opened a door, how long it’s been left open and how much energy is required to bring the temperature back to optimum operating levels.”
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New 777 train at Birkenhead North station
Merseyside leaders are set to approve £9.5m of funding for new lifts at two railway stations as part of Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram’s ambitious target to make the city region’s network step-free by 2030.
The package, part of the Inaccessible Stations Programme, will be recommended for approval at the November Combined Authority meeting, on Friday, November 15, paving the way for work to start at Aigburth (Liverpool) and Rock Ferry (Wirral) stations in the new year.
Mayor Rotheram said: “For too long, our local rail network has not been designed around the needs of those who rely on it the most, leaving some of the most vulnerable in our communities cut off from their local stations. Since I was elected, we have invested tens of millions of pounds to improve step-free access across our train stations, which is why we are now one of the most accessible networks in the country – but I know there is still more work to be done.
“We have already made great progress with level-boarding on our new £500m trains and now we want to make sure all our stations are accessible to all, too. This funding will help us continue our journey towards that aim.”
The funding is part of the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) a pot of £710m set aside for major transport infrastructure projects across the Liverpool City Region.
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McBreen Enviro UK, part of the Worcester-based McBreen Group, has launchede a depot in Warrington, which enables the company to enhance its ability to deliver drainage and waste management solutions to clients across the UK.
Group Managing Director, Damien McBreen, said: “The launch of our Warrington depot is a major milestone in our company’s growth. It allows us to serve clients across the UK with increased flexibility and faster response times.
“Our team remains committed to providing high quality drainage and waste management services, and this new location strengthens our ability to do so even more effectively.”
Building on the company’s established presence in Worcester, McBreen Enviro UK is expanding its reach to offer more agile services to clients across the UK. The new depot will increase operational capacity and ensure faster response times for both domestic and commercial clients.”
Daniel Hampson, Business Development Manager at McBreen Enviro UK, said: “The addition of the Warrington depot marks an exciting step in our expansion. This new location enhances our ability to meet the growing needs of our clients, offering more responsive and tailored solutions.”
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Investment at UU’s Davyhulme site
North West water and wastewater provider, United Utilities has unveiled partners for a further two frameworks as it prepares for the largest investment in water and wastewater infrastructure in the region for a century, including its Davyhulme complex.
As it awaits approval of its proposals from its regulator, the company has chosen 13 more partners across its network modelling and specialist design and development frameworks.
Following a competitive tender process AtkinsRéalis, Jacobs, Stantec, Binnies, Mott MacDonald, RPS, and WSP have been appointed to deliver modelling support for water and wastewater infrastructure. United Utilities has also appointed Aqua Consultants, GHD, Long O Donnell Associates, Metis Consultants, Ove Arup & Partners and SYSTRA as its six specialist design development partners.
This framework requires the chosen partners to focus on translating solutions into practical and effective design outputs for detailed design and build, build-only, and rainwater management projects.
Jane Simpson, Capital Delivery Director at United Utilities, said: “Our new network modelling partners will help us make informed decisions across operations and capital investment programmes by monitoring rivers, catchment land, and coastal infrastructure to see where we can improve our services and meet supply needs of the future.”
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Cubico Sustainable Investments (Cubico) has launched the second phase of consultation for Frodsham Solar, a proposed solar farm capable of generating
approximately 130MW of electricity with an energy storage system, located north of Frodsham in Cheshire. The consultation will run for six weeks until Thursday, December 19, 2024.
Through the generation of renewable electricity, and the creation of hundreds of jobs during construction, Frodsham Solar will provide a boost to the existing low-carbon industry in the area, aligning with Net Zero North West’s vision for the region to become the world’s first zero-carbon industrial cluster by 2040. It also supports Cheshire West and Chester’s ambitions to become net zero by 2045.
Subject to receiving consent, Frodsham Solar could be operational by 2029, generating enough clean electricity through ground-mounted solar panels to power more than 40,000 homes annually.
Cubico will be hosting five in-person information events and one online community webinar. The events are: Christchurch Hall, Weston Point, November 25, 3-7pm; Helsby Community Centre, November 26, 2-6.30pm; Elton Community Centre, November 29, 3-7pm; Frodsham Community Centre, November 30, 1.30-5.30pm; Frodsham Community Centre, December 2, 2.30-6.30pm; and an online webinar, via Zoom, on December 4, 6-7.30pm.
Frodsham Solar’s website, www.frodshamsolar.co.uk, has more details on the
project, including a downloadable consultation leaflet and details on how the community can get involved.
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Open day event
Rossendale Borough Council welcomed a strong turnout of 17 representatives from 11 different organisations at an open day for businesses interested in operating Bacup and Rawtenstall Markets.
The event, held in October at the council offices in Bacup, was designed to share the council’s plans for both markets, set to reopen in 2026, and attracted significant interest from potential operators keen to be part of the future of these vital community spaces.
The council’s plans for Bacup and Rawtenstall Markets focus on revitalising each as a lively, welcoming space that supports local culture, small businesses, and community life.
Bacup Market will feature a blend of traditional stalls and modern amenities, including maker spaces, a cycle hub, and pedestrian-friendly streets, establishing it as a vibrant spot for shopping and community gatherings. Similarly, Rawtenstall Market will see improvements such as a new entrance on Bank Street for easier access, flexible event spaces, and upgraded visitor facilities, aligning with the broader Rawtenstall Masterplan.
Cllr Alyson Barnes, leader of Rossendale Borough Council, said: “We were pleased to see such a high level of interest from potential operators. Bacup and Rawtenstall Markets are important to the local communities, and this event was a great opportunity to meet businesses who share our vision for the future.”
