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
Heaton LaneTemporary Bus Station
As part of the £120million Stockport Interchange Project, Transport for Greater Manchester required the construction of a temporary bus station which would be utilised after the existing bus station was demolished, until the opening of the rebuilt facility.
The £1.3m project lasted a total of nine months and saw the installation of new drainage, construction of a new 1.8m curved retaining wall, kerbing and surfacing works and the renovation of bus driver welfare facilities. During the project, archaeological digs were also performed throughout the site footprint as part of the development’s archaelogical mitigation strategy.
Workington Transport Hub
This scheme aimed to encourage sustainable travel along the Cumbrian Coast and improve access to both Workington Railway Station and the Cumbrian Coast railway line. The 10 month project also had to create a more attractive location for those travelling to and from the town.
The project was delivered in collaboration with Cumbria County Council, with the scheme receiving £3.08m of funding from the Department for Transport in April 2015. The project works constructed a 143 space car park with road and cycle access, drainage works, earthworks, installation of street furniture and a bus shelter and disabled parking and bike parking facilities.
LevenmouthStation Car Parks
As part of the Levenmouth Rail Link project, works took place involving the construction of a new island platform with associated amenities, including waiting shelters, seating and ticket machines, as well as 133 car parking spaces with the provision for electric vehicle charging, accessible spaces and 22 cycle spaces as part of a park-and-ride facility.
A bus stop and turning circle were constructed on site and the station connects to the local communities of Methilhill, and Windygates via new footpaths and active travel route.s Alongside this, a pavillion building provides space for passengers to meet and a new pond has been provided as part of the sustainable urban drainge system for the car park.
Oban Ferry Terminal
Oban Ferry Terminal is located within Argyll & Bute Council and provides a ferry service between Oban on the Scottish mainland and various locations off the west coast of Scotland. The works comprised of the expansion of the existing marshalling facility at the ferry terminal, which involved the removal and installation of a new railway siding line and all associated operational railway equipment.
The works also required the alteration of to the existing Network Rail boundary, existing surface water drainage infrastructure, road markings, road signage and kerbing. As well as, the installation of automated gates and barriers and advance ducting for future lighting schemes.
SPT Broomloan Depot
Story were engaged by Ansaldo STS to carry out the £13m design and construction of a new depot and associated infrastructure in Glasgow. The new depot would facilitate the introduction of 17 new driverless trains as part of a comprehensive upgrade of the Glasgow Subway network for SPT (Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.
The project included bulk earthworks, drainage and road works, alongside the construction of reinforced concrete and gabion basket retaining walls. A new test track and points were installed, as well as new sidings, vehicle static testing buildings and a test platforms. Extensive ducting installations were also carried out for depot lighting, as well as all testing and commissioning.
Walkden Park & Ride
On behalf of Transport for Greater Manchester, the Story team completed the construction a new Park & Ride facility at Walkden. The completed facility provides a commuter hub for residents to travel quickly and easily into Manchester and surrounding areas using Walkden Railway Station.
The works involved the demolition of former council maintenance buildings, followed by installation of new site drainage, perimeter footpaths, kerb lines, fence lines, M&E street lighting and CCTV cameras, a new cycle hub, 107 vehicle parking bays and EV charger points.
Holgate Depot Inspection Pits
Story Contracting delivered new inspection pits inside Holgate Depot, as part of a series of enhancement to the Network Rail facility in order to expand operations. Network Rail required three additional inspection pits to be installed in Bay 9 and Bay 10 to support the growth in maintenace activity planned within the Depot.
The £1.6m project included stepped access/egress points installed at both end of the pits and additional points installed in the centre of the pits to allow access/egress to both sides. Pits uniformly illuminated throughout the entire length, including suitable shield protection, emergency pit lighting and power connection points every 5m along the length of the pits.
Catterick Garrison
Urban Skills Facility
Story Contracting were contracted by Landmarc to carry out the project to construct a new 1214m2 industrial training building for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) within the Catterick MOD base. The works included the construction of the steel portal frame building, cladding to all roofs and walls, concrete floors throughout and the installation of over £1million of specialist M&E equipment. Significant earthworks and drainage works were required, alongside the installation of a new attenuation tank and retaining wall.
Mersey LoopTrack Slab Renewals
During a five month period, works were undertaken to renew the track slab in a £8.75 million contract. For the core works, the project team implemented 24-hour working to ensure the railway could be handed back on time and on budget. The works included 170m3 of concrete pumped into position, more than 1.2km of track slab renewed, the installation of 2400m of new running, the removal of 1600 tonnes of breakout material and required 24/7 working.
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.
South Yorkshire case studies
Industrial Cadets Bronze Award
Team Story) mentored four Sheffield High School for Girls students through the Engineering Development Trust’s Industrial Cadets Bronze Award project.the site for 12 months, prior to design works being undertaken for a permanent design solution. The Bronze Award, is a 12week scheme that partners teams of year eight and nine students with industry representatives, to complete a 20-hour STEM project.
Two members of the team took on the role as mentors and supported the group through the ‘My School is an Island’ task, which required the students to think about creating a sustainable school on a fully functioning island.
Hope Valley Community Engagement
As part of the Hope Valley Railway Upgrade, the VolkerRailStory JV developed a community app and digital noticeboard at Dore & Totley station to ensure ongoing and effective consultation with the local community. Alongside letter rops, static noticeboards, stakeholder meetings and quarterly community events, these initiatives allowed the team to engage with a variety of stakeholders relevant to the project and provide up-to-date information on construction work, changes to train journeys and information about station car park closures.
Primary Engineer
The VolkerRailStory joint venture, while delivering upgrade work along the Hope Valley line, supported 10 local primary schools in delivering a number of classroom-based rail projects. The school projects were created by not-for-profit organisation, Primary Engineer, and funded by the JV.
As part of an initiative to develop children through engagement with engineering, the projects saw Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 primary school classes design and construct either a shoe box train or an electrically powered train. Engineers from the joint venture were on hand throughout the sessions to provide engineering advice and to give presentations on their role and a day-in-the-life of an engineer.
Work Experience
Twelve students from Sheffield, aged between 16-19, attended the week, taking part in a variety of online and in-person workshops to provide them with an overview of the rail industry and a local rail project.
During the work experience, online sessions ranged from design and engineering challenges, to commercial, health and safety and CV writing workshops. The students also undertook a site tour of Dore & Totley station, where the team were installing new railway track, a second platform and a footbridge, and participated in environmental and community engagement workshops in Poynton Woods.
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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“The redevelopment of the former good yards at Workington into a Transport Hub presented a number of construction challenges relating to ground contamination and drainage.
With the support of Story Contracting, the project was completed in a safe and professional manner with minimal disruption to the ongoing operation of the station.”
Jamie Carruthers, Programme ManagerCumbria County Council
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”We were very impressed with the speed and ease of working with Story on this project. It was done on time and within budget, and overall the quality seems very good.
Overall a positive experience and happy to have had the work done by Story.”
Jared Hoag, Depot Manager - LNER
““”The works at Millerhill Depot presented some significant challenges due to previous stages development, design and funding issues.
The project teams of Network Rail and Story reacted admirably to these challenges and were able, through working collaboratively with each other and the Depot, to achieve the successful delivery of the scheme as agreed to the best possible standard.”
Michael McArthur, Project Manager, Network Rail
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