Intermediate Waste Storage Facility (IWSF)

Delivered within a live operational dockyard and nuclear-licensed environment, the project demanded the highest standards of safety, quality and security.

Careys was appointed by Robertson Construction to deliver a comprehensive civil engineering package, including enabling works, earthworks, foundations, reinforced concrete slabs and walls, and external services infrastructure for the new storage facility. The building, measuring 27 metres in length and up to 20 metres in height, is designed to support the long-term requirements of this nationally significant programme.

Drawing on extensive experience at Rosyth Dockyard, including delivery of works on the Type 31 frigate programme, Careys utilised an established team holding the necessary high-level security clearances and operating under strict MOD security procedures.

A key aspect of the project was the delivery of enabling and temporary works within a highly constrained environment. This included demolition of existing hardstanding, excavation works, piling platform construction and the development of a complex temporary works strategy to facilitate the safe construction of 10-metre-high reinforced concrete walls. Throughout the project, careful planning and sequencing ensured site operations remained safe and efficient.

In total, the team placed approximately 600m³ of concrete and installed 90 tonnes of reinforcement while working alongside other major Rosyth projects. Quality assurance was particularly important given the nuclear-licensed nature of the facility. Working collaboratively with Robertson Construction, Cavendish Nuclear and Babcock, Careys developed a bespoke nuclear traceability framework providing full lifetime records for materials and plant, supported by rigorous inspection and assurance processes.

The successful delivery of the IWSF demonstrates Careys' capability to operate in highly regulated, safety-critical environments while maintaining programme certainty, quality and operational excellence.