Mott MacDonald has received the BS11000 certificate of approval for collaborative behaviours for its joint venture (JV) design consultancy work with AECOM on the Northern Hub Inner Programme. The project includes the flagship Ordsall Chord scheme which consists of new and strengthened viaducts linking Manchester’s Piccadilly and Victoria train stations for the first time.
In the United Kingdom the rail industry is currently facing the challenge of delivering better value for money for both passengers and taxpayers, while infrastructure works need to be completed more quickly and efficiently than ever before. To help achieve these aims, Network Rail is using the British Standard BS 11000-1:2010 – Collaborative Business Relationships as the framework for suppliers to develop the processes, policies, culture and behaviours required to establish successful collaborations.
The AECOM-Mott MacDonald JV and contractor Skanska BAM JV worked together in a series of behavioural workshops, training and information sharing sessions with Network Rail. This process reinforced the benefits of adopting the principles of BS11000 and was supported through the project through use of a state-of-the-art building information modelling approach providing common data and shared working environments, as well as integrated design processes.
Ken Norbury, a director at Mott MacDonald, said: “This certification is welcome recognition of our collaborative achievements to date. We have been working with Network Rail since the inception of the Northern Hub programme and have supported new approaches towards a preferred way of working. The combined AECOM-Mott MacDonald JV project team has recognised the benefits of this and fully embraced a collaborative approach. This milestone achievement will assist in demonstrating our collaborative behaviours to clients across all sectors – especially those who might have an interest in partnerships, alliances or joint ventures where this is vitally important.”