Billington Structures fabricated, supplied and installed structural steelwork for the Hallenbeagle Refuse Transfer Station in Cornwall.
The Hallenbeagle Refuse Transfer Station (RTS) is a major waste management facility that was developed in Redruth, Cornwall, on behalf of SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK. Constructed by Kier Construction, the development will support Cornwall Council's household waste and recycling collection service, increasing the county's recycling capacity and enabling food waste to be processed separately. Once operational, the facility will be capable of handling up to 140,000 tonnes of waste annually and will play an important role in improving recycling rates across the region.
Billington Structures was appointed to fabricate, supply and install the structural steelwork for the main processing building, comprising three interconnected galvanised portal frames spanning 52m, 44m and 42m. The structure accommodates the Refuse Transfer Station, Materials Recycling Facility and baler storage areas, with the long clear spans providing the uninterrupted internal space required for modern waste processing operations.
One of the key challenges during delivery was the site's proximity to the adjacent railway line. Steel erection activities required detailed lift planning, with crane positions and lifting operations subject to approval by both the client and Network Rail. This was managed through early submission of lifting documentation, allowing sufficient time for review, comments and amendments, ensuring the programme could progress without unnecessary delays.
The scale and configuration of the steelwork also required careful coordination throughout fabrication and installation. With three interconnected portal frames forming the main processing building, planning the erection sequence was important to maintaining progress on site and ensuring each section of the structure could be installed efficiently in line with the wider construction programme.
The Hallenbeagle Refuse Transfer Station demonstrates Billington Structures' ability to deliver large-span industrial steelwork within a live construction environment, overcoming site constraints through careful planning, close collaboration and experienced project delivery. The completed structure will support Cornwall Council's long-term investment in modern waste and recycling infrastructure, providing the clear internal spans required for efficient operation of the facility.
