Jodrell Bank Car Park & Entrance Booths

Since first operation in 1957, the Lovell radio telescope at Jodrell Bank has been at the forefront of radio astronomy. With the inception of the new Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, extensions to the Discovery Centre and forthcoming opening of the £20m First Light Pavilion, interest in the facility has grown rapidly.

Bethell were appointed by the University of Manchester to upgrade and extend the existing car parking facilities and form new entrance booths for the public to pay entry to the attraction. Jodrell Bank remained open to visitors throughout the construction period and all works were undertaken in phases to ensure minimal disruption.

In order to accommodate the predicted doubling of visitor numbers, the existing car park has been re-modelled and extended using a sustainable drainage system comprising of a cellular plastic grid with gravel infill. Additional works included site clearance, hard landscaping, soft landscaping, drainage, fencing, entrance barrier systems, cctv systems, street furniture, lighting and communication systems. Extensive ducting was installed to accommodate the new IT and security systems.

The timber-framed entrance booths are clad in gold-coloured rainscreen and are sheltered by an overarching portal structure which was also clad in gold rainscreen.

Additional works included overhauling over one kilometre of access road throughout the estate involving new road construction and land drainage to adjacent verges.