Decarbonising Manchester, Building by Building
Manchester has made a commitment to be a zero-carbon city by 2038. Walker Sime is managing a new project to decarbonise six facilities across Manchester to bring the city six steps closer to its goal.
There’s no one-size-fits-all way to decarbonise a building. It could be a matter of installing solar panels or heat pumps. It might be through installing energy-efficient lighting or improving aging insulation. It could be a combination of all of the above. Walker Sime is helping Manchester City Council find the right way to decarbonise several of its buildings.
The council has secured matched funding from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy to cut the carbon footprint of six proposed assets across the city, Walker Sime is managing the programme. The first steps were to identify the carbon reduction opportunity in the selected buildings (that is, ensuring each project delivers the required ‘bang for its buck’ in terms of carbon saving), and determine whether the proposed works are feasible.
Andrew Hopwood, Principal Project Manager, is leading the programme for Walker Sime: “We’ve been working with Manchester City Council and Contractors to complete initial surveys of each of the assets, identifying where improvements could be made at each site. We’ve completed the procurement process, which has included the early order of long lead-in items such as air source heat pumps utilising Salix funding. We are now moving into the construction phase.”
Which buildings will be decarbonised?
The buildings that are being reviewed to reduce carbon output are:
– The Place at Platt Lane
– Hall Lane Resource Centre,Wythenshawe
– Didsbury Library
– Denmark Road Sports Centre
– Harpurhey District Centre
– Arbeta,a workspace/office building
Next steps
Following the completion of the tender process, we’re currently working with each building’s management team to deliver the proposed works. We’ll also manage the council’s interface with the external contractors to ensure each building’s carbon upgrade is completed on schedule.
The project marks the next stage in an evolving relationship with Manchester City Council and its decarbonisation work. As project manager for the Civic Quarter Heat Network, Walker Sime has already helped to deliver a vital piece of the city’s carbon reduction jigsaw. “Every council has environmental ambitions,” comments Andrew “but they need to be able to translate those ambitions into action. That means working with partners who can make plans work. This project is another example of Walker Sime building trust with a public sector body and helping them realise their decarbonisation vision.”
Barney Harle, Head of Major Projects at Manchester City Council said: “We are working to make Manchester a city where everyone can thrive. Our target is to become a zero-carbon city by 2038 at the latest, 12 years ahead of the Government’s target of 2050 for the UK. This project will take us another step closer to realising that vision and is another example of how, by working with local partners who understand Manchester, we can create a healthier, greener future for the city and its people.”
For nationwide multi-disciplinary construction consultancy, including Quantity Surveying, Project Management, Infrastructure Services, Bill of Quantities and more, call us on 0161 872 9955, email hello@walkersime.co.uk or message us here.
