Everton Football Club created history on Sunday 24 August – and Caulmert’s civil and structural engineering services played a starring role.
The Toffees hosted their first home Premier League game at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in front of a 52,888-capacity crowd as they tackled Brighton and Hove Albion.
By the time supporters from both sides were roaring their side on in a match that saw Everton run out 2-0 victors, Caulmert’s multi-million-pound activity at nearby Sandhills station had taken centre stage.
A team of half-a-dozen from the consultancy has designed a new pedestrian bridge at the southern end of the island platform and create a crowd flow management system.
Caulmert’s director of structural engineering Peter Dawson said: “It has been fantastic to play a part in the relocation of Everton Football Club to Bramley-Moore Dock.
“Ensuring that access to and from the stadium can meet the needs of tens of thousands of supporters has been a much talked about theme.
“To help alleviate concerns around the matchday experience for fans travelling to the Hill Dickinson Stadium has been great.”
Engaged by Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, a leading UK-based construction and infrastructure business, Caulmert’s work has involved some intricate designs.
Peter continued: “We’ve been involved in the steelwork for the footbridge and associated staircases, which has included the infilling of a masonry arch that supports the raised island platform.
“The foundations of the bridge had to penetrate through the arch, meaning some complex design and subsequent activity was needed to maintain the integrity of the historic structure.
“There was also some piling work required, which was not straightforward given restricted headroom in places.”
The Crowd Management Area (CMA), which helps control crowds via temporary barriers, saw Caulmert lay foundations and carry out further civils work including drainage via permeable surfacing, kerbing, and fencing.
Peter added: “The CMA system is important to ensure that people are able to arrive at Sandhills Station in a safe and timely manner.”
Founded in 2008, Caulmert is on track to meet an ambitious growth and development plan.
