Birmingham Wholesale Market: Ridgidrain and Ridgistorm-XL supplied for surface water drainage

Polypipe supplied a range of market-leading plastic piping systems to Birmingham’s new £50 million wholesale market, which has been relocated to IM Properties' development The Hub in Witton, three miles north of the city centre.

The new facility includes a 241,885 sq ft warehouse facility, containing nearly 80 business units selling meat, fish, poultry and horticultural goods. The site also hosts a 450-space car park and protects the status of the market as the biggest of its kind in the UK.

A broad range of Polypipe Civils and infrastructure products were installed at the site, including Ridgidrain and Ridgistorm-XL large diameter piping system for surface water drainage, Polystorm-R for surface water attenuation, Polysewer and EN 1401 sewer pipes for wastewater. A range of cable protection systems for vital electricity supplied to the buildings at the 18 acre site were also provided.

The team at main contractor Benniman Construction specified the Polypipe products as an alternative to concrete and clay piping following advice from groundworker EP McVilly, which cited the ease with which Polypipe’s plastic systems, which are much lighter in weight than traditional solutions, could be installed.

To manage onsite surface water run-off, 18,750 Polystorm-R cells were installed underneath the site’s proposed outdoor car park and vehicle access areas to capture and attenuate up to 3,555m³ of stormwater.

Some 900m of Ridgidrain surface water drainage pipe was installed along access roads and around the building perimeter, which connected via manholes into 32m of 900mm Ridgistorm-XL large diameter pipe to manage the high volume of water from the site before releasing into the main sewer network.

Polypipe EN1401 sewer pipe is connected to more than 1km of 150mm Polysewer pipes and fittings to help manage the flow of foul and wastewater from the development, providing a long life, low maintenance gravity system that is resistant to chemicals and abrasions.

In addition, more than 10km of ENATS class 2 specification Ridgiduct Power cable protection was installed. This system is low in weight, flexible, durable and high in strength to deal with any loading on site, and it was used across the site to protect vital electricity supplied to the new buildings.

Dave Meenaghan, project manager at EP McEvilly, said: “This project had very tight timescales so we were happy to recommend Polypipe’s plastic products in favour of concrete and clay materials. We find the company’s products are quicker to install and provide excellent reliability. They have kept this important project on track.”

Rosie Cheetham, marketing manager, at Polypipe added: “The wholesale market is such an integral part of Birmingham’s economy and community, bringing in £50m to the city each year. We were delighted to supply a wide range of surface water drainage and sewerage products to such an important project.”