We have now completed construction work on a brand-new sustainable Maintenance Delivery Unit (MDU) for Network Rail in Barnetby, North Lincolnshire.
The new MDU comprises a two-storey 9,500 sq ft main building, located next to Barnetby Station. The £6m project, which began in May 2025, also involved the reconfiguration of roads, associated services infrastructure, a service yard, staff and visitor car parks, and additional storage facilities.
The main building – which boasts an attractive, low-carbon timber aesthetic – features significantly improved facilities for workers, including modern office spaces, a large workshop, meeting rooms, a canteen, changing facilities and extensive storage space.
Benefitting from reduced embodied carbon and improved thermal performance, the optimised layout of the buildings maximises natural daylight. Across the site, additional sustainability measures such as EV chargers, air-source heat pumps, triple-glazed windows and rooftop solar PV panels have also been installed.
The comprehensive sustainability features included in the build have been funded through Network Rail’s Green Bank, supporting the rail operator’s wider environmental commitments.
We are incredibly proud of the high-quality delivery at Barnetby MDU, it is a true reflection of the skill and expertise we have within HBC. Beyond the build itself, we have developed a strong working relationship with Network Rail, built on trust, transparency and a shared ambition to deliver efficient and well-designed MDUs. This project has also enabled us to continue expanding our portfolio beyond Yorkshire, supporting our continued delivery of quality construction across Lincolnshire and the wider regions in which we operate, including the Humber, East Midlands, Teesside and beyond.
Lee Powell, Managing Director
Barnetby MDU forms part of Network Rail’s long-term environmental commitments, supporting sustainable, future-ready rail operations and setting a strong benchmark for future MDU schemes nationwide.
I’m pleased to say that Network Rail’s relationship with HBC at Barnetby MDU has aligned perfectly with our commitment to building a simpler, better, greener railway. Working collaboratively with HBC has helped deliver efficiencies at each stage of the project. With sustainability at the heart of the decisions made, the end result is a fantastic facility that will provide our teams with a great place to work for years to come.
Danny Phillips, Lead Portfolio Manager MDU Upgrade Portfolio, Network Rail Eastern Routes Capital ProgrammesBarnetby MDU represents the first of two major Network Rail projects. We were appointed to deliver Sheffield MDU in January this year, with completion planned for 2027, building on the approach established at Barnetby.
We secured the Barnetby project through the Crown Commercial Service Construction Works and Associated Services (CWAS) framework. As part of the delivery, we also supported a range of social value initiatives, including providing Barnetby United Football Club with a defibrillator, benefitting both the club and wider local community.
