Capability Overview
Why Story?
Story Contracting is a privately-owned, award-winning infrastructure company who is financially secure and agile with a wide range of public, private and third sector clients who enjoy working with our talented and committed team. Our track record for delivery on time and to budget, safely and reliably, has meant repeat business from our clients, which is reflected in our motto of ‘Do It Right!’
Our values are at the heart of everything we do - the way we work, the behaviours we display and our recruitment campaigns, and we believe that these are what make Story Contracting and our people exceptional.
Grounded- Everyone is equal at Story. We are down to Earth, we treat each other with respect, we recognise that everyone plays an important part in our business. Our senior leaders are accessible, and we don’t tolerate egos. We are all in it together.
Hardworking- We all pull our weight and work hard for each other. We go the extra mile for our clients and the communities we work in. We learn from our mistakes and use our initiative. We work smart to exceed our clients’ expectations on every project.
Proud- We are proud of our people, our projects, our clients and the success we create together. We are proud of our values and who we are and our commitment to safety, the environment and our communities.
Family- We nurture, train, develop and keep our people safe. We support each other, we are inclusive, and we work as one without barriers or silo working. We do the right thing for the business and its people. We have a strong team spirit, enjoy working with each other and we have fun!
Trusted- What we say is what we do. Our clients, our people, and our communities trust us to do it right. We know how long trust takes the build and we are committed to protecting it. Our clients know we do what we say, always looking to add values wherever we can. We believe in open and honest collaborative relationships.
Winners- We are hungry for success and want to be the best performing contractor for our clients, our people and our communities. We are proud of the awards we win for our safety performance, our projects and our talented people.
Highways capability
Our experience team have completed highways projects throughout our operating areas. Our past projects range from essential maintenance works to high profile highways reconstruction and junction improvement schemes.
Our capability in and around highways includes:
• New structure construction
• Renewal of existing structures
• Installation of culverts
• Slope stabilisation
• New road construction
• Drainage solutions
• Junction improvements and reconfiguration
• Waterproof works
• Kerbing and paving
• Cycleway and footway construction
• Reinforced earth construction
Problem Solving
We are experienced in solving complex problems for our clients. An example of this is:
Following a landslip, one side of a 150m section of carriageway was in danger of falling into the adjacent River Eden. The origional concept used a sheet piled retaining wall to prevent further deterioration of the substructure, with the road then reconstructed in the same position, but our design solution moved the road 20m further away from the river to provide low cost and long-term resilience to future erosion risk- saving the client £750k.
Strategic partnerships
Stategic partnerships and joint ventues bring together an industry-leading combination of tried, tested and successful relationships to successfully deliver exciting projects.
VolkerRailStoryJV
Hope Valley is a £80m project part of a £137m investment which will undertake the extensive enhancement works to improve reliability, increase passenger services and aid in freight movements.
Carlisle Southern Link Road
Story Contracting have worked in close partnership with the main contractors involved in the Carlisle Southern Link Road project for Cumberland Council. Throughout Stage One Story worked in partnership with Morgan Sindall Infrastructure to develop the design of the project to enable the project to progress to on-site works . Works on site are now underway through main contractor GallifordTry, with Story Contracting completing construction of eight of the nine new structures being constructed as part of the scheme.
Working with our supply chain
We work with our strategic supply chain partners to help expand capability and capacity. We are committed to working closely with clients to understand their business drivers in order to align workload opportunities. Working with a network of trusted suppliers enables us to provide delivery certainty for our clients throughout the UK by working collaboratively to develop our “one stop shop” capability providing extensive capability and flexibility to our projects.
“Working with Story has allowed us to share resources and knowledge, which ensures project needs and concerns are met. Working collaboratively also gives visibility of each other’s pipeline and allows us to combine our work prgramme to maximise our resource level which continues to see efficiencies for our clients.” -
Jamie Kelly, Regional Director - 1stlnRail Ltd
Frameworks
Story Contracting are currently working on a wide variety of frameworks across the UK for public and private sector clients. We thrive in an environment where collaborative relationships result in effective and efficient project delivery.
We can provide references and testimonials on request from any of the frameworks highlighted on the map, many of which are on the second or third contract period ranging from 2-5 years in length.
Example projects
Carlisle Southern Link Road
We are currently in the latter stages of working on behalf of Galliford Try to construct eight new structures, comprising four road bridges, three shared use foot/cycle bridges and one accommodation bridge, on the Carlisle Southern Link Road project worth £22.6M. Six of these are steel structures and two are pre-cast concrete. Of the four road bridges we have constructed, one will carry the new road over the River Peterill, with a second crossing the West Coast Main Line. We have provided a ‘turnkey’ approach to this project by managing the structures from substructure to completion of waterproofing which involves all Civil Engineering works to construct these, for example design and installation of reinforced earthwalls and piles. We have also delivered the temporary works design and management for our package of work.
Ravenscraig WCML
During Easter 2023, we installed Europe’s largest concrete structure, the project has a value of £11M. The structure will help provide a new highway under the existing railway line. We used best practice from our successful Bicester (Oxfordshire) project (value of £12M where two structures were constructed off line and driven into position) to ensure the 5,000t structure was successfully installed. During a nine-day blockade we excavated 36,000ton of embankment, diverted signalling and telecoms (S&T), removed 120m of track and raised overhead line equipment (OLE) before the bridge could be moved into place. Working collectively as ‘Scotland’s Railway’, the 5,000t structure was part of North Lanarkshire Council’s scheme to improve connections North and South through Motherwell.
Bicester Underbridges
The project to build two brand new underbridges on the Chiltern railway line was crucial in opening up land to provide a new highway and cycleway connection to a new housing development. The works included; closing the railway for a total of 100 hours to drive the underbridges underneath the line, trial lifts of the structures took place 2 weeks in advance, 21,000 tonnes of earth were moved during railway closure to make way for the new underbridges, 6,500 tonnes of back fill material was used once they are in position, a Mammoet self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT) safely drove the two underbridges into place, Temporary propping supported both structures while they were installed, 400m railway track was removed and upgraded once the underbridges were in place.
A595 Torpenhow Junction
The junction improvement works for Cumberland Council were carried out to reduce journey times and improved reliability. The works included the relocation of the Torpenhow junction, re-routing of the existing Torpenhow road, widening of the A595 to accommodate new turning lanes, lengthening the under-road culvert, and construction of a new attenuation pond adjacent to the A595. The completed project was worth £2.7M and provides improved safety for road users along the busy commuter route linking Carlisle and West Cumbria.
A595 Grizebeck Bypass
We are currently delivering the £16M A595 Grizebeck Improvement Scheme in South Cumbria on behalf of Westmorland & Furness Council. The completed scheme will see the construction of a new 1.4km road between Grizebeck and Chapels, removing bottlenecks on the existing carriageway and supporting safe and reliable journeys in the area. The project includes the construction of a temporary road for public use during the construction of a new overbridge, as well two new culverts, one new underpass and an extension to an existing structure. In order to construct the new carriageway, a substantial rock cutting will be formed, with further earthworks and drainage to be carried out, including the creation of five ponds. Junction works will be completed to tie the new road into the existing network at either end.
Calvert South Structures
We recently delivered a £8.85M contract to build a series of structures in Buckinghamshire, as part of the HS2 project. Our team are currently constructing two new bridges, a culvert, and an accommodation bridge as part of these works. The significant structure and earthworks are being carried out in order to facilitate highway/bridleway/footway connections over the HS2 rail line. The adjacent image shows the construction of the substructure of one of these structures.
A719 Burton Underpass
Essential works took place to replace the unsafe road crossing over Dunure Road by reopening a former railway tunnel as a new underpass, which safely links pedestrian and cycle paths between Burton and Alloway on behalf of Ayrshire Roads Alliance. During the project the team excavated 1000t of material to create the necessary space for the underpass. After the installation of the pre-cast concrete units, sealing and waterproofing of joints, the carriageway was reinstated. The Story team also carried out additional works to create a sensory garden and cycle path extension.
Gooseholme Footbridge
In a £1.8M scheme on behalf of Cumbria County Council, we delivered the replacement of Gooseholme Footbridge in Kendal following significant flood damage being caused to the existing structure. The works comprised Stage 1 design, Stage 2 demoliton of the existing structure and Stage 3 delivery of the replacement structure. Following seven years of closure, the new structure provides a broader 3.5m-wide deck and access ramps to enable shared access. The structure abutments and training walls also act as flood defences, tying in with the adjacent Environment Agency Flood Risk Management Scheme.
Invercoe Bridge
We delivered a £5.5m scheme to replace Invercoe Bridge Crossing over the River Coe on behalf of The Highland Council. To facilitate the demolition of the existing structure, a temporary road and pedestrian bridge was constructed, adjacent to the existing bridge, to divert traffic and pedestrians around the existing structure during demolition and the eventual new bridge construction works. The completed works saw the construction of new concrete bridge abutments and pier, creating a new two-span bridge. A new steel girder bridge was fabricated and installed, with the new reinforced concrete deck supporting a new double carriageway and footway.
Barrow Active Travel
We delivered a £725k scheme to develop 2.9km of cycle lanes throughout Barrow-in-Furness on behalf of Cumbria County Council. The project was the first in Cumbria to be completed in accordance with LTN 1/20 guidelines and the new infrastructure includes segregated cycleways, enhanced crossings and junction improvements designed to protect the safety of cyclists and pedestrians. Works also included developing and managing significant traffic management measures to limit congestion in a high-traffic area of the town.
Wetheral Flood Resilience
Following a landslip, one side of a 150m section of carriageway was in danger of falling into the adjacent River Eden. The original concept used a sheet piled retaining wall to prevent further deterioration of the substructure, with the road then reconstructed in the same position, but our design solution moved the road 20m further away from the river to provide low cost and longterm resilience to future erosion risk – saving CCC £750K. We constructed new accesses to replace existing agricultural field entrances and to a private road leading to a residential property, then tied into the existing highway at either end.
Geotech Capability
We specialise in high quality foundation, civil, geotechnical and structural engineering services for the rail, highways and infrastructure sectors. Our team capture the right information at site first-time, prior to construction, helping to reduce hidden risks and save valuable time, resource and money. We offer innovative ways of working, embracing new ideas and methods, and collaborate with clients to achieve optimum solutions for each project.
Frodingham
Story Geotech were commissioned to undertake a ground investigation and subsequent monitoring of a failing embankment adjacent to the Doncaster to Wrawby Railway Line. The site had experienced multiple failures over the preceding years from a mix of historically poor construction and a complex geological formation, resulting in rotational slips causing failures during periods of heavy rainfall.
12no boreholes were drilled to depths of 40m and installed with automated inclinometers and piezometers giving real time monitoring of information on the site for 12 months, prior to design works being undertaken for a permanent design solution.
River Garry
Story Geotech undertook ground investigation works to inform the design of a soil nailing strengthening solution for two sections of failing railway embankment adjacent to the A9 and River Garry in the geographical centre of Scotland.
Boreholes were drilled to a depth of 20m along the alignment and an assessment of bedrock made from subsequent lab testing. Following the GI, a solution was designed for 345 soil nails of varying depth to be installed with a mesh and plate holding solution. Our team installed the nails during one of the worst weather periods of the regions recent history, with works completed under time and under budget.
Walney Island
Story Geotech were commissioned to undertake a Ground Investigation to inform the design of erosion protection and cliff stabilisation works.
Our team undertook geomorphiological and geological mapping together with ground investigation utilising window sampling, rotary percussive boreholes and cone penetration testing at 40 locations along the South Western coastline of South Walneys historic household landfill site which was bound on one side by the Irish Sea.
20no inclinometers were also installed along the alignment to monitor slope movement immediately behind the planned interventions.
Glasgow to Barrhead
We were contracted to provide ground investigation information for the Glasgow to Barrhead (GBE) project, in order to inform the design of 116no micro piles for Overhead Line Electrification (OLE) structures and the subsequent installation of the piles.
Following the ground investiagtion, Story Geotech installed the micro piles to a maximum depth of 9m. The project was originally planned for a 6 week programme due to access restrictions. By reviewing the access strategy and employing a long reach with a Story designed working platform, we were able to bring the project to a close two weeks early resulting in significant savings for the client.
In-house Plant Fleet
Our extensive fleet is suitable for undertaking even the most complex of projects, for hire anywhere in the country backed by a highly skilled award-winning team. With a fleet of more than 120 machines, we are able to offer a range of innovative solutions and pride ourselves on working closely with our clients to develop the most efficient plant solutions for their challenges.
When combined with our contracting and geotechnical capabilities, our extensive fleet allows us to provide a one-stop-shop for clients across the country. This enables value engineering opportunities to be developed and realised, as well as mitigating project risk and enhancing delivery certainty on our schemes. Our fleet includes:
Large Excavators
Mini Diggers
Dozers
MEWPs
Telehandlers Wheeled Excavators
Early Contractor Involvement
Although we undertake work for our clients on a traditional approach, most of our work is undertaken on an Early Contractor involvement (ECI), Design & Build basis within long term established collaborative frameworks. We find this provides added value to our clients ensuring that innovation and value engineering is realised at the best opportunity. Our ECI offering can also be applied when working on behalf of large Tier 1 contractors as a subcontractor however also when we are appointed as Principal Contractor
• We have an established and dedicated pre-contract team of estimators/ project managers and engineers that provide ECI support. Their remit is to review, and challenge early design work undertaken by clients to ensure buildability, cost and realise any value engineering. This ensures risks are reduced during build and achievement of completion within client’s budget.
• With ECI, Story are involved with the production of the design and work scope so we can price more accurately and quantify risks/ allocation to the party that is in the best position to manage.
• Reduced surprises and unforseen variations for clients.
The above is done as part of an intergrated team with our Clients so that all stakeholder requirements are considered at the start.
Minimising Disruption
As well as being experienced in minimising disruption on the rail and road network when delivering projects, we also have a strong track record in the delivery of other projects where minimal disruption is paramount.
This includes working in food production facilities, tyre building factories, energy providers and working offices where as well as ensuring projects are manage to avoid downtime, there is a need to manage dust, waste products and fully engage with employees and in many cases other contractors and disciplines.
Sustainability
As part of our Carbon Reduction Strategy, we have set Science Based Targets for reducing our carbon emissions, in line with the requirements of the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), in order to achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2050.
At Story we have a Carbon Reduction Steering Group, Sustainable Innovations Group (SIG) and a team of Sustainability Champions who work to identify, research and implement new initiatives, multi-disciplinary and relevant external stakeholders engagement on carbon reduction opportunities across the business.
Highly-skilled directly employed workforce
We have been delivering civil engineering projects throughout the UK for over 35 years and boast a team of site-based operatives all across the UK, skilled throughout a range of disciplines.
Our teams have vast experience in delivering a multitude of projects, from small-scale repairs to the construction of multi-million-pound road bridges. This enables us to work collaboratively with our full range of clients to deliver projects successfully and discover value engineering opportunities.
Innovation
To ensure we continue to be a key supplier, it is essential we continue to look at smarter and better ways to deliver efficient and quality products.
Therefore, as the industry develops, we need to ensure we are at the forefront of innovation. Whether this is a new product or an existing one that has been developed by a SME we want to identify and develop those which will give us the competitive edge or make our work safer. We have introduced lower carbon projects such as ECOpact and Technocrete into projects, with an example being the Bicester Underbridges project mentioned earlier in this document.
Caring for the environment
We get to work in some of the most beautiful parts of the UK and we are committed to keeping it that way. We have been praised by the government, alongside other firms for leading the UK’s drive to tackle climate change as part of the global Race to Zero.
As part of our commitment to sustainability and taking care of the environment we take part in a number of innitiatives including litter picking, initiatives including litter picks, electric vehicle charging points and tree planting to name a few.
Plan Safe:Work Safe
Our Plan Safe:Work Safe campaign was launched in 2009, and continues to create an instinctive culture throughout the business with regard to health and safety.
We aim to design out risk at the earliest possible opportunity, ensuring the safe delivery of our projects on-site and that everyone that works for us and with us, goes home safe every day.
In 2024 we won our eighth consecutive Gold RoSPA Medal Award, in recognition of the company’s dedication and commitment to ensuring the safety of our staff, customers, clients and supply chain partners.
Supporting our communities
At Story Contracting, our ethos of ‘Doing it Right’ underpins our approach to working with local authorities and communities. We take pride in being a dependable, responsible partnerdelivering high-quality infrastructure while generating lasting social value.
Social value is embedded in every stage of our project delivery. We support local priorities through employment, skills development, and community engagement. Our strategy focuses on reducing carbon emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and helping to build resilient, sustainable communities.
We directly employ and invest in a skilled workforce, offering structured training, development, and wellbeing support— ensuring our teams are well-equipped to deliver excellence on site.
Our Social Value and Sustainability Strategy is reviewed annually, allowing us to respond to regional and national priorities while aligning with the outcomes that matter most to our local authority partners. Our current eight key focus areas are shown in the adjacent graphic.
Community Engagement
We ensure our projects not only meet the expectations of our clients, but also deliver real benefits to the communities in which we work.
Our dedicated in-house Communications and Engagement team works closely with clients, local stakeholders, and community representatives to ensure that our activities are transparent, considerate, and aligned with local needs.
Through early and ongoing engagement, we identify opportunities to improve our work programmes and methods - helping to reduce disruption, enhance outcomes for local people, and ensure that our projects leave a positive and lasting legacy.
Employability
We have a commitment to employing, training, and developing local people working with existing providers of employability. Partnering with organisations such as Inspira, APEX, Developing the Young Workforce and Routes to Work, as well as schools, colleges and universities, we will continue to provide meaningful work experience opportunities, advice, and training on construction sites across the UK.
As part of our strategy to ensure that the great employment opportunities we offer are available to all, we signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme and the Armed Forces Covenant, and work with organisations such as All Together Cumbria, Aid and Abet, and Haverigg Prison.
Carlisle Head Office
Testimonials
“ Contact Us
“Burgh Road Industrial Estate
Carlisle, CA2 7NA
Birmingham Office
Fourth Floor, 148 Great Charles Street, Queensway, Birmingham, B3 3HT
Birmingham Depot
Unit 5 Avery Dell Industrial Estate, Lifford Lane, Stirchley, Birmingham, B30 3DZ
Blantyre Office
Whistleberry Road
Blantyre, Glasgow, G72 OTA
Chorley Office
Building N5, East Terrace Euxton Lane, Euxton, Chorley, PR7 6TE
Leeds Depot Units 1&2, Ripley Drive, Normanton Industrial Estate, Normanton, West Yorkshire, WF6 1QT
Middlesbrough Office
Suite 02.18, Commerce House, 1 Exchange Square, Middlesbrough, TS1 1DE
Perth Office
Inveralmond Business Centre, 6 Auld Bond Road, Perth, PH1 3FX
Salsburgh Depot
Duntilland Road, Shotts, Salsburgh, North Lanarkshire ML7 4NZ
York Office
Suite 3, Tower House Business Centre, Fishergate, York, YO10 4UA
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“I am delighted that the Torpenhow road junction is now open, as the A595 is very important for connectivity between Carlisle and West Cumbria.
“I would like to thank Story Contracting for all their hard work, and the CLEP for their funding investment – this road will help to make people’s lives not only safer, but a little bit easier on a daily basis.”
Denise Rollo, Executive Member for Sustainable, Resilient and Connected Places - Cumberland Council
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““Story Contracting’s project team were very proactive, very good at communicating, and had a really good attitude towards health and safety. In comparison to some other subcontractors that we’ve used, it was definitely a positive experience working with Story Contracting,”
Dave MacIntyre, BEAR Scotland
““The Ravenscraig project has been an extremely well planned, well managed and superbly delivered project. The works represent a hugely successful outcome for Scotland’s Railway and the teams involved should be commended for their efforts.
“Due to Story’s meticulous planning and preparation with consideration of previous lessons learned the disruptive works were delivered flawlessly, and have been rightfully recognised as a major success.”
Mark Wilson, Project Manager, Network Rail