Fry Site Services Awarded Groundworks and External Works Package at Christ Church, Friern Barnet
Fry Site Services is very pleased to announce that we have been appointed as the groundworks contractor in North London to deliver the full groundworks and external works package for the redevelopment of Christ Church, Friern Barnet. This newly awarded project is an exciting opportunity for our team, and we are proud to have been chosen to support such an important scheme within the Barnet community.
The works planned at Christ Church represent a major investment in improving the building, its external areas and the overall user experience for visitors and local residents. As a company with a strong and growing presence across North London and the South East, this project aligns perfectly with our strengths and showcases the professional capabilities that Fry Site Services brings to every development.
We look forward to mobilising on site as soon as the piling works, undertaken by others, have been completed. Once clear, our team will commence the full groundworks and external transformation of the church.
Groundworks Package for Christ Church
As the appointed groundworks contractor in North London, Fry Site Services will undertake all groundworks required to support the building upgrades. This begins with a detailed preparation phase, including excavation, formation trimming and the removal of unsuitable or buried materials. The engineering notes for the project highlight that the site contains a mixture of made ground and clay soils which require controlled handling and careful management during excavation.
Once piling is completed by others, our first task will be to set out and form the required foundation levels for structural elements. This includes the installation of reinforced ground beams, which are designed as substantial structural members to support the building loads. These beams are formed using precise excavation, blinding concrete and reinforcement arrangements that ensure long‑term strength and stability.
The project also includes the installation of a precast block and beam floor system, selected due to the soil conditions on site. We will prepare all bearing surfaces and ventilation zones to support this suspended floor arrangement. Adequate ventilation is essential beneath the floor structure and our team will ensure that the appropriate voids and air paths are installed correctly, providing long‑term protection against moisture and soil movement.
Groundworks also involve important coordination with services and drainage. Working alongside Fry MEP, our in‑house mechanical, electrical and plumbing division, we will prepare service trenches, duct positions, drainage interfaces and plant zones to ensure that everything is correctly aligned before the external surfaces and block and beam floors are installed. This collaboration ensures efficiency and avoids the need for reworking or re‑excavation later in the programme.
The combination of ground beams, block and beam flooring, service coordination and site preparation makes this a comprehensive and technically interesting groundworks package. Our team is fully prepared to deliver the high standards expected by the client.
External Works Package
Alongside the groundworks, we have also been awarded the full external works package. This part of the project will completely transform the surroundings of Christ Church, creating a more welcoming, accessible and attractive environment for local visitors.
One of the most significant elements is the installation of new tarmac footpaths, replacing several areas of existing surfacing that have become damaged or overgrown. These new paths will be constructed to modern standards and tied into existing levels to ensure seamless access. They will form part of a safer and more user‑friendly network of routes around the church.
The external works will also include a series of hard landscaping improvements using high‑quality materials. These will include new areas of York stone paving, porous asphalt surfaces and permeable block paving. The paving will be laid to detailed specifications, providing attractive finishes that support drainage performance, durability and ease of use.
Other external features include the reconfiguration of steps, thresholds and accessibility routes. Tactile paving slabs will be installed at important points, ensuring that the site is inclusive for all visitors. The redesign of access routes will make movement around the site smoother and safer, particularly for those with mobility needs or visual impairments.
The external package also includes boundary fencing improvements, bollard installations, general surfacing works, planting area adjustments and the creation of improved refuse and recycling zones. These enhancements will ensure the site is more organised, easier to navigate and visually appealing.
In several sensitive areas, such as around existing walls and boundaries, careful hand‑digging and protection measures will be implemented to avoid damaging the existing structures. This is an important part of maintaining the character and heritage of the site while still upgrading its functionality.
The external works package is a major component of the project and will significantly improve the outdoor spaces surrounding Christ Church.
Working with Recmat on Waste Management and Material Supply
Fry Site Services is pleased to be working closely with RecMat, who will be supporting us with waste management, muck‑away and material supply throughout the project. Their involvement will help us maintain a clean, safe and well‑organised construction site while also supporting environmentally responsible procedures for material handling.
Recmat will be supplying aggregates, recycled products and clean fill materials, all of which play an essential role in achieving strong and stable groundworks. Their reliable delivery and efficient waste removal services will support smooth progress throughout the construction period.
More information on Recmat can be found at
RecMat
Support from Fry MEP
Our in‑house division, Fry MEP, will provide mechanical, electrical and plumbing expertise throughout the groundworks and external works. Their involvement includes service route planning, duct positioning, drainage connections and ensuring that all MEP needs are integrated into the construction stages without disruption.
The benefit of having Fry MEP working alongside our groundworks team is that potential clashes or design issues can be resolved quickly and efficiently. This helps the entire project run more smoothly and avoids unnecessary delays later in the programme.
Delivering Quality for the Barnet Community
This project at Christ Church, Friern Barnet is important for the local community and represents a major investment in improving access, safety and the overall appearance of the site. As a groundworks contractor in North London, Fry Site Services is committed to delivering the highest standards throughout the programme. We will be mobilising on site as soon as the piling works have been completed, ready to begin transforming both the internal foundation areas and the external environment.
We are proud to have secured this package and look forward to delivering a successful project for our client. This is a great opportunity for our team in Barnet and we are excited to get started.