Project
Bell Street Green Transport Hub
Product
Deckshield Rapide ED1 & IDHB
Size (M2)
19,430 m²
Contractor
StructureCare, McLaughlin & Harvey
Winner
LRWA Awards 2026 - Liquid Waterproofing Project of the Year
- The Background
Originally constructed in 1973 and suffering severe chloride induced deterioration, Bell Street Car Park has been transformed into the Bell Street Green Transport Hub. StructureCare surveyed, repaired and waterproofed the facility, reinstating durable waterproofing across internal and external decks while arresting reinforcement corrosion and improving whole life performance. The refurbished hub now provides 444 parking spaces (including 180 EV bays and 18 accessible spaces) over four levels, with the remaining levels repurposed for a roof top PV array and a community focused ground floor with cycle facilities and a Regional Bike Reuse Centre.
- 19,430 m² of deck coating removal and replacement (ED1: 7,370 m²; IDHB: 12,060 m²).
- 3,700+ concrete repairs across walls, soffits and columns.
- 7,500 sacrificial galvanic anodes installed.
- Anti carbonation protective coating applied to internal and external concrete elements – total protected surface c. 36,500 m².
- The Challenge
- Extensive chloride contamination had led to widespread spalling and failed legacy coatings; works required full removal of 19,430 m² of existing system using ride on preparation machines.
- Structural repairs were required across the fabric: 3,700+ localised concrete repairs to decks, soffits, walls and columns, including hard to access façade and bridge elements via MEWP.
- Electrochemical imbalance post patch repairs were mitigated with 7,500 sacrificial galvanic anodes to protect reinforcement and extend design life.
- Significant dust generation from large scale preparation necessitated robust suppression and extraction; logistics also had to accommodate removal of 150+ tonnes of arisings while maintaining public and worker safety.
- Phased internal/external works, multiple disciplines (repair, waterproofing, protection, M&E upgrades) and stakeholder coordination demanded rigorous quality control and programme management.
- During removal of the failed coatings, cohesive strength testing revealed the concrete substrate was weaker than anticipated. To address this, we applied an epoxy penetrating primer, significantly improving the surface integrity and ensuring a durable, high-quality finish.
- The Solution
- Conducted on-site installation samples prior to project award, demonstrating our superior quality standards, attention to detail, and preparation levels. This allowed the client to visualise the finished result and benchmark our workmanship against competitor trials.
- High quality substrate preparation delivering a sound, profiled surface ready for deck systems; stringent pull off adhesion and thickness checks ensured system performance.
- Precise detailing to day joints, ramps, movement zones and terminations to guarantee watertightness and slip resistance.
- Uniform anti carbonation coatings to internal and external concrete delivered both long term protection and an uplift in visual quality.
- Collaborative QA with the main contractor and client across hold points; works completed to a consistently high standard commended by project stakeholders.
- Dust & debris control: Implemented dampening and high capacity extraction to manage dust from large area coating removal, safeguarding adjacent public realm.
- Waste stewardship: Partnered with Acorn Waste Management to remove 150+ tonnes of waste with 80% recycled, 18% recovered and only 2% to landfill.
- Whole life corrosion strategy: Deployed 7,500 galvanic anodes to counter incipient anode effects, reducing future repair frequency and cost.
- Trafficable durability: Selected heavy duty Deckshield ED1/IDHB systems engineered for long service life under high traffic and colour zoned wayfinding.
- Access & safety: Utilised MEWP solutions and temporary edge protections; comprehensive CCTV, lighting and fire detection upgrades improved end user safety.
- Gallery
