Talbot Park, Kidderminster

Overview

The Worcester Street Urban Park Connectivity Project in Kidderminster town centre formed a central element of the wider Kidderminster town centre regeneration programme supported by £20.5 million secured through the Future High Streets Fund.

The project replaced the former stepped access with a new landscaped green community space, featuring winding footways linking Worcester Street, Bromsgrove Street car park, and the adjacent Lion Fields development.

The scheme incorporates a dedicated play area, improved disabled access throughout, new LED lighting, high-quality paving, extensive landscaping, and street furniture including modern benches. Section 278 highway works were also completed on Worcester Street and Prospect Hill in collaboration with Worcestershire County Council.

Challenges

The project presented multiple complex technical, logistical and site-specific challenges.

Legacy demolition materials from previous buildings left significant volumes of demolition arisings requiring identification, excavation, removal and appropriate disposal or re-engineering before construction could progress.

During excavation, an unknown underground concrete structure was encountered requiring careful assessment, partial removal and redesign of works in some areas. Several large reinforced concrete blocks were discovered beneath the surface as remnants of previous developments, requiring specialist removal methods and additional plant and careful sequencing without affecting surrounding ground stability. Deep drainage infrastructure required installation at depths of up to approximately eight metres below ground level, necessitating extensive excavation support, robust safety controls, complex temporary works designs, and specialist tunnelling contractors delivering underground timber heading frames to connect to existing highway drainage without disruptive surface-level works.

The steep site gradient created significant compaction challenges during earthworks. Structural risks to adjacent buildings including the neighbouring Sense retail unit required continuous monitoring including tilt sensors and settlement gauges throughout construction. The constrained town centre location with limited material storage space required careful logistics planning and just-in-time delivery strategies. An existing high-voltage underground electrical substation required demolition, relocation and re-waterproofing using a RENOLIT ALKORPLAN F waterproofing membrane system with a 10-year guarantee, requiring constant coordination with National Grid and the client throughout.

Our approach

McPhillips adopted a proactive and innovative approach addressing each challenge systematically.

An AI-equipped drone survey measured site volumes accurately, cross-checked against traditional engineers’ surveys, determining sufficient material was available on site to complete infill works without importing additional aggregates.

Approximately 4,000 tonnes of concrete was crushed and reused as 6F2 capping material, with 85% of all site materials recycled or reused, totalling 8,000m² of an overall 10,000m³ requirement, significantly reducing waste to landfill and vehicle movements.

Drainage systems were constructed progressively as ground was built up, integrating deep drainage runs seamlessly into fill layers.

Specialist tunnelling contractors hand-excavated a 6-metre-deep, 15-metre-long tunnel through sandstone to connect drainage to the existing storm drain, avoiding road closures and maintaining normal town centre activity.

A 14-tonne rear-heel-driven roller enabled precise compaction on steep gradients. Precast L-shaped wall units protected the adjacent Sense retail unit from ground pressure, manufactured off-site for precise quality control and rapid installation.

Tilt monitoring on adjacent buildings with pre-commencement dilapidation surveys provided real-time structural safety assurance.

Comprehensive dust management including water suppression systems, stockpile covering and road cleaning protected the public.

A Section 61 notice managed noise emissions formally throughout construction.

A full suite of SHEQ documentation was maintained including Construction Phase Health & Safety Plan, Risk Assessments and Method Statements, Environmental Management Plan, Confined Space Entry Procedures, and Permit to Work systems, with 34 early warnings and 76 compensation event notifications raised and managed in accordance with NEC procedures.

Outcomes

The project was delivered on programme and within the agreed budget, achieving a defect-free handover and full compliance with all project KPIs. The innovative material reuse strategy recycled 85% of all site materials, delivering significant environmental and cost benefits.

The specialist tunnelling approach successfully connected drainage infrastructure without road closures or disruption to town centre businesses.

Strong and collaborative working relationships were established with Wyre Forest District Council, NEC project management team Arcadis, structural designers McBains and landscape architects Ares Landscape Architects, creating a benchmark for future regeneration initiatives in Kidderminster.

TESTIMONIAL

Nadia Kaminska, Regeneration Manager for Wyre Forest District Council: “McPhillips brought a practical, solutions-led approach to a unique project that required flexibility and constant coordination. Working within a constrained environment, they navigated technical and logistical challenges whilst remaining consistently constructive and focused on delivery.

“A key strength of McPhillips is their approach to challenges. Rather than becoming defensive, they engage early, take ownership, and work collaboratively to find solutions. This attitude made a tangible difference in maintaining progress and resolving issues efficiently.

“They are approachable, responsive, and easy to work with, which has resulted in a strong and positive working relationship with Wyre Forest District Council. The result is a high-quality public space that reflects not just technical capability, but also a contractor genuinely committed to making projects succeed.”

Testimonials

"The site manager and assistant site manger did a fantastic job on the scheme, they were friendly, reliable, professional and their experience on managing the subcontract labour and technical ability was second to none."

Ian Lowe, BIT Group

"McPhillips (Wellington) Ltd undertook the construction of a recent public realm scheme in Shrewsbury, they provided traffic and pedestrian management to manage the construction of the scheme in a busy urban area, with high pedestrian footfall. All civils and re-paving works were completed to a high standard and in a tidy, productive and efficient manner. They were able to engage with Shrewsbury BID to aid in the planning of events, as well as liaising with local businesses and shops to minimise impact. They worked effectively and efficiently to complete works to the accepted programme and administered the contract well using web based management systems. There were good working relationships between all parties, and their on-site management of personnel was excellent."

Scott Hughes, WSP

"McPhillips were good to work with and they were always keen to resolve any issues or complications which obviously occur on such a large and complex project, probably the biggest S278 Worcestershire has ever dealt with."

Sally Everest, Worcestershire County Council

"Having been the first time we have used McPhillips as a main contractor we have been impressed at the ease at which we have developed a good working relationship to enable the project to be maintained to timeline and budget incorporating both additional work items and some more unusual occurrences on-site."

Richard Allen, London & Cambridge Properties

"We will most certainly use McPhillips again and we will have no hesitation in recommending you to other schools and colleges."

Sheena Hodgson, The Westwood Academy

"The site delivery team were extremely helpful. The site was clearly always orderly, fully resourced and well managed throughout. The workmanship was of the highest quality and the project was delivered on-time and within budget providing The Wrekin Housing Trust with a facility of which we are justifiably proud. Overall WHT is more than happy with McPhillips’ performance on Oakwood and wouldn’t hesitate to work with them again in the future."

Karen Lloyd, The Wrekin Housing Trust

"I will have no hesitation in employing McPhillips on other projects and therefore look forward to working with you again; it was a pleasure working with you and your team, demonstrating a positive approach throughout the project."

Mike Steele, Birmingham City Council

"The quality of the work provided is always of a high standard and every effort is made to accommodate the needs of businesses and residents impacted by the work. With regard to project management, I found the management team and site staff to be amenable at all times. I would highly recommend McPhillips to be considered for any highway regeneration projects or similar works."

Steve Hollins, Telford & Wrekin Council

"McPhillips carried out work for Adams’ Grammar School between May and September 2013. They did so under some stringent conditions imposed by the school and performed admirably to meet significant deadlines. Their work on site was also very impressive; their site manager was most professional and worked seamlessly with our own employee when there needed to be alterations/modifications. They worked very easily around children and kept an appropriate distance from our own work. When it came closer to the deadlines they produced work at an impressive speed in order that we were able to open on time. We will certainly use them again."

Michael Barrett, Adams' Grammar School

"I can truly say that I could not wish to have worked in conjunction with a more impressive and agreeable contractor than McPhillips. Many thanks for the experience."

Peter Oughton, Dogs Trust

"We’re delighted with the work carried out by McPhillips. Thanks to their excellent building and civil engineering experience and skills we’ve been able to create an enriched environment for our dogs."

Clarissa Baldwin OBE, Dogs Trust

"We have no hesitation recommending McPhillips and look forward to the opportunity of working with them in the future."

Pam Edwards, The Wrekin Housing Trust

"McPhillips and their team were professional and efficient from tender stage through to contract completion, with a can do attitude that brought the scheme in on time and on budget within tight constraints."

Bob Nicholson, Pochin Developments

"Everyone has commented favourably on the quality of workmanship and the professional, courteous and organised approach of the men involved. As a consequence, the work was completed to a very high standard, in a very short time with the minimum of noise and disruption to residents."

Diane Peacock, Pengrove Residents Association

"McPhillips performed extremely well with a high quality of workmanship and a professional approach in dealing with the public and businesses in a very busy part of the town. I can confidently recommend McPhillips as a competent and professional contractor and since this scheme, I have worked with them on various projects and would be pleased to work with them again in the future."

Karl Farrow, Cheshire West & Chester Council

"I would have no hesitation in recommending McPhillips."

Paul Harris, Shropshire Council

"The team from McPhillips remained positive and proactive throughout, working with the Council's team to find solutions and deliver an enabled site which was fit for purpose. Their can-do attitude and pragmatic approach has been essential in delivering a successful project for the Council."

Kate Turner, Telford and Wrekin Council

"McPhillips has an excellent understanding of the client's needs and works collaboratively to achieve a quality product."

Peter Parker, Birmingham City Council

“Choosing the right construction partner for our development was crucial. McPhillips proved to be the perfect choice, demonstrating exceptional expertise in delivering precisely what our operation needed. As a Telford-based business ourselves, it was particularly satisfying to work with a local construction partner who understood our needs and delivered such high-quality results. The new facility has significantly enhanced our operational capabilities, and McPhillips’ professional approach made the entire process smooth and efficient."

Robin Dale, Dale Brothers

Talbot Park, Kidderminster

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