Work has started on a new low-carbon Maintenance Delivery Unit (MDU) for Network Rail, with Sheffield-based Henry Boot Construction appointed as the main contractor. The sustainable development is located next to Barnetby Station and is part of Network Rail’s wider plan to modernise and reduce carbon across its infrastructure.
The new MDU will feature a two-storey building covering 9,500 square feet. It will include staff welfare areas, modern office space, storage rooms, and key site infrastructure such as a service yard, car parking for staff and visitors, additional storage facilities, and improved road access.
Designed with sustainability at its core, the main building will showcase a timber-based design and offer modern facilities for workers, including meeting rooms, a canteen, and changing areas. The structure will focus on reducing embodied carbon and improving thermal insulation. Its layout has been carefully planned to make use of natural light and eliminate the need for inefficient storage heaters.
The site will also include a range of green features: electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, air-source heat pumps, triple-glazed windows, and rooftop solar panels. These measures support Network Rail’s long-term environmental goals and have been made possible through funding from the organisation’s Green Bank.
Lee Powell, Managing Director of Henry Boot Construction, said the company is proud to be part of the project. “This development supports Network Rail’s vision and creates a space that improves the experience for those who work there. From the start, we focused on going beyond basic sustainability requirements. The result will be a site with strong energy efficiency and a lower carbon footprint. For us, it also reflects our growth plans to expand further across Lincolnshire, the Humber, and the East Midlands.”
Chris Round, Senior Portfolio Manager for Network Rail’s Eastern Routes Capital Programmes, welcomed the partnership. “Henry Boot Construction brings the right mix of skills, sustainability focus, and teamwork. We’re confident this collaboration will deliver great results.”
Ridge, a built environment consultancy, is supporting the project with structural and architectural design. The scheme was secured through the Crown Commercial Service’s Construction Works and Associated Services (CWAS) framework.
Construction is underway and the new MDU is expected to be completed by early 2026.
