MAGNA park HGV Charging Hub
Lutterworth, Leicestershire
Magna Park is a first-of-its-kind electric HGV charging hub. Set on a 30,000m² site, the scheme will provide 32 chargers, delivering up to 400kW per charge point across 179 HGV bays, supporting the transition to electric freight transport. Serving as a blueprint for future logistics developments, the scheme represents a significant step towards the decarbonisation of the UK’s transport infrastructure.
We were initially engaged by O’Brien Contractors during the tender phase to review value engineering opportunities across the proposed design. By rationalising the drainage strategy, earthworks, pavements and kerbing, we helped develop a more efficient and cost-effective solution that supported the successful award of the contract.
Following contractor appointment, we were retained as lead designer, taking responsibility for civil, structural and geotechnical engineering alongside the coordination of a multidisciplinary team of specialist consultants and subcontractors.
The Challenge
As one of the UK’s first dedicated electric HGV charging hubs, there was no existing base specification against which to design. The scheme required the integration of multiple specialist systems, including charging infrastructure, extensive duct and cable networks, drainage, highways, earthworks and ancillary buildings, all within a rapidly evolving design environment.
Adding further complexity, a high-pressure gas main and high-voltage electrical infrastructure crossed the site, while the facility also needed to achieve stringent security requirements associated with HGV parking and high-value freight. This meant the design had to be developed largely from first principles and tailored to the project’s unique operational requirements, significantly influencing the site layout, access strategy, perimeter treatment and overall design approach.
The project’s pioneering nature also meant that many of the team had limited experience of delivering a comparable scheme, and several had not previously worked together. We played a central role in coordinating these disciplines, managing interfaces across multiple parties and aligning technical requirements to develop a cohesive and fully integrated design solution.
Through early contractor involvement and collaborative design development, we identified several opportunities to improve buildability, reduce cost and minimise construction risk.
Key outcomes included:
- Rationalising the drainage strategy to improve efficiency and reduce construction cost and complexity.
- Reducing the foul pump station depth from 5.1m to 2.41m, significantly lowering excavation requirements while improving installation and maintenance safety.
- Removing more than 1km of bespoke heavy-duty kerbing, reducing both material and installation costs.
- Optimising earthworks, pavement and infrastructure designs to deliver a more cost-effective construction solution.
- Coordinating a wide range of specialist consultants and subcontractors to deliver a fully integrated design package.
By successfully navigating the project’s technical and coordination challenges, Link helped deliver a pioneering scheme that can provide a valuable reference point for future EV charging hubs and industrial developments across the UK.
If you’re facing similar challenges on your next project, get in touch with our experts by calling 0121 716 0100 or emailing mail@linkeng.co.uk. We’d be happy to discuss how we can help.
The scope of works included:
- Design coordination across sub-consultants and contractors (in addition to core technical scope)
- On-site earthworks, drainage, and surfacing design
- Full civils, structural, and geotechnical design lead
- Structural design of ancillary building foundations
Team Member Contact
Nick Moore
Managing Director
MEng (Hons) CEng MICE
Team Member Contact
Gavin Sealey
Associate
BSc (Hons) MSc CEng MICE FGS
Team Member Contact
Valentin Ivanov
Associate
MEng (Hons) CEng MICE
Team Member Contact
Sam Cooper
Senior Civil Engineer
BEng (Hons)
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