Facilitating drainage efficiency at Old Trafford

The Challenge

When you think of football, stormwater management and surface drainage are probably not the first things to spring to mind. Unless you’ve experienced the disappointment of postponements and cancellations when games get rained out, drainage is the last thing on your mind.  

As climate change introduces increasing unpredictability, football clubs and fans alike experience just how important water management infrastructure is. Efficient water management, drainage efficiency and flood prevention are key to keeping everything moving.   

When the time came to redevelop Old Trafford, football giant Manchester United’s grounds, Tubosider UK stormwater tanks were a part of the plan from the beginning.  

The Solution

Building consultants Hannan Associates brought in the ViaCon Group as a partner to supply the stormwater tanks for Manchester United’s North Stand East and West quadrants. Citing cost and ease of installation, the public health design engineer explained, “The drainage efficiency of the access areas around the stadium is particularly important, but at the same time the ground beneath them is already much used by essential services, so the design and positioning of the stormwater systems was critical.”  

The flexibility and customizability of the products and services on offer enabled an optimal solution for the specifics of the project – one extra large tank for each of the two quadrant extensions.  

The Advantage

Choosing ViaCon for drainage efficiency enabled: 

• Cost-effectiveness: Reduced construction complexity and no disruptions to normal operations and site activities  

• Speed: Faster installation time, completed during the off-season 

• Durability: Long-lifespan materials with less need for maintenance  

• Ease of use: Ease of transport, installation and maintenance  

• Increased capacity: Redevelopment created new quadrants at each corner of the North Stand, leading to an increase in seating capacity