Our History

CML are a leading family-owned civil engineering company in the infrastructure sector

Founded in 1986, CML (Construction Marine Ltd) was originally established to undertake Marine and Civil Engineering activities and quickly became recognised experts in the delivery of river and coastal defence projects.

Having gained an enviable reputation for professionalism, innovation, and a collaborative approach, we have continued to grow sustainably and, in response to client requirements, extended our range of civil engineering services where we now provide a one-stop shop for multi-disciplined construction and maintenance solutions, specialising in the infrastructure sector.

We maintain a highly trained, qualified, and experienced workforce who share a commitment to safety performance, excellence, and customer satisfaction in all aspects of our operations.

We pride ourselves on our ability to self-deliver, and are equally proud of our supply chain management programme, where we consider our suppliers to be our partners and work with them openly and collaboratively to ensure the right outcomes for our clients.

In the beginning...

Construction Marine Ltd was incorporated by Geoff Mortimer to undertake General Civil Engineering and Marine Civil Engineering works, operating from a small office with two colleagues, a great deal of ambition and a bank loan. Our initial client base consisted of British Waterways, British Rail, Yorkshire Water and Caledonian MacBrayne on the West Coast of Scotland.

1986

Office space purchased in Leeds

In the early days we developed and patented a concreted fabric mattress system for use in scour and erosion protection schemes which secured us several significant overseas projects. The work gave us momentum and continuity enabling us to purchase our first offices in Leeds that incorporated workshops to fabricate our patented concrete injected mattress system.

1988

Hessle foreshore repairs delivered for Railtrack

CML start to expand the size and complexity of engineering projects delivered for UK infrastructure clients, including the re-development of Hessle Foreshore in Hull for Railtrack. This scheme involved the excavation and removal of over 20,000 tonnes of contaminated material adjacent to the River Humber, and installation of scour protection to the estuary river banks. One of a growing number of scour protection schemes CML were delivering nationally for infrastructure clients.

1994

'The Soft Option'

CML develop and implement an innovative and sustainable river bank protection system consisting of willow spillings, palings, coir matting and planting of reed beds to provide sympathetic repairs in environmentally sensitive locations.

1996

Railtrack framework contract secured

In the 1990's the increasing popularity of the more collaborative partnership contracts provided a good fit for the business. In 1997 CML secured our first significant partnership / framework contract delivering Civil Engineering works on the London North East Route for clients Railtrack, delivering a wide range of building and civil engineering schemes. Due to the continued performance and commitment shown by our dedicated delivery teams, we have managed to continue to secure and expand our involvement in railway framework contracts to this day.

1997

New Head Office and National Railway Heritage Award Winners

A big year for the business, relocating our head office to a new 10,000sq ft Grade II listed building in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, fully restored by our very own multi-skilled buildings team. CML also went on to receive National Railway Heritage Awards for the total refurbishment of three listed signal boxes at Hexham, Wylam & Haltwhistle, unique for their gantry construction over the line and using methodology that minimised disruption to the railway. Following the success at the Heritage Awards in 2003, CML went on to win another for the refurbishment of a listed signal box at Falsgrave in 2007, Beckingham in 2009 and Kirkham Abbey in 2011!

2003

Underbridge Reconstruction for NYMR

One of the more challenging projects CML delivered at the time, was the reconstruction of Bridge 30 for the North Yorkshire Moors Railway in winter 2009. With significant access constraints, and a foot of snow on the ground for the core activities, this is one which our dedicated delivery team won't forget!

2009

Expansion following award of Infrastructure Projects Contract

CML secure major earthworks and bridge reconstruction framework contract with Network Rail SNE, delivering a significant 5 year bank of work, consisting of repairs to rock cuttings and railway embankments.

2011

New depot opened for minor works division

Following the continued expansion, and repeat success on the works delivery framework contracts for Network Rail, CML secure additional office and yard space in south Yorkshire from which to run the works delivery operation, moving to larger premises in 2014.

2012

Additional regional offices opened

New satellite offices established in York and Colchester. Our York Office opened to service the day to day needs and collaborative nature of our RCDP Civils and Structures contract with Network Rail SNE. Our Anglia Office and Depot are opened to service the increasing demand from our Works Delivery Contract in East Anglia.

2013

New Framework Contract Awards, and National Expansion...

In March 2018, CML were awarded framework contracts on the Buildings and Civils Asset Management Framework for Network Rail in all regions in England and Wales (LNE, LNW, Anglia, Western, Wessex, South East and Wales). This opportunity triggered the opening of new offices in Dinnington, Durham, Wigan and the South West, employing more local people in each of these regions to expand our work force.

2018

Investment in new facilities at Leeds and Sheffield

Our continued success in the delivery of maintenance and renewals works in the infrastructure sector has seen our teams grow in both size and capability. To help our teams continue to expand and develop and do their jobs to the best of their ability, we invested in a brand new 22,000sqft bespoke facility in Sheffield as a new home for our reactive teams, and also invested in an extension and full refurbishment of our head office at Leeds.

2021

Community Engagement

During the last year, we were actively involved in ‘Give Construction a Try‘, a community interest company that exists to promote construction as a career to schoolchildren in areas of extreme deprivation and in the last twelve months have engaged with over 300 school leavers who would otherwise be likely to be designated as Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET).
Community
Our Team

CML’s senior leadership team bring together a wealth of experience from the infrastructure industry, but most importantly, we all live and breathe the same values which are at the core of our business; ultimately looking after our people, and putting our clients goals at the front and centre of our actions.
Our Team

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