Project Updates 2017Q3: UK Built Environment & Infrastructure
Posted by Adam Cadwaladr on Monday, August 21, 2017
Because we are involved in Quantity Surveying, Claims & Disputes and Project Management recruitment in all sectors of UK construction, we regularly track new projects. I’ve rounded up some notable building and infrastructure projects here.
Built Environment
£328m Manchester Town Hall Revamp
Firms have all been appointed in different roles on the construction project. This is a seven year project that will see the building repaired and upgraded. Works will include the restoration of state rooms including the great hall, and repairs will be done to the stonework, roof, and drainage systems. The project will contribute to the North West’s already busy construction environment.
£1.15bn Battersea Phase 2
A new contractor has been confirmed to take over the Battersea Phase 2 main construction works. The works will see a large scale conversion into offices as well as a new retail destination with a 6-acre park. The estimated cost of Phase 2, which was originally £750m, was predicted at a higher figure of £1.15bn in July 2017, now being north of that figure.
£190m London Hospital Hits Delays
A flagship hospital project, the London cancer hospital, has hit delays due to the complexity of the project according to the contractor. It was initially expected to be open in 2019 to treat patients, but now this has been pushed back to 2020. The project is to be an 11 storey building, 5 of which will be underground. It involved a huge excavation close to the Northern line in the centre of London, and the fit-out will include 600 tonnes of equipment.
£8bn Housing Delivery
70 house-builders and contractors have been picked for a new £8bn housing delivery panel. The framework runs for 4 years, kicking off from now. The framework is made up of 5 regional lots in England – the North East, North West, Midlands, East & South East, South and South-West. It involves the procurement of housing-led developments on land owned by public sector bodies and the Homes & Communities Agency.
Infrastructure
Crossrail Update
Out of the 65 Tier 1 contracts awarded for the Crossrail project (which include projects such as piling, station construction and tunnel fit-outs), 43 have now been completed, with 22 still to be completed according to the building magazine edition of 11th August. The jobs that have been completed have reportedly shot up by 56% (just shy of £1bn), however Crossrail state that none of the contracts were fixed price jobs and therefore was never anticipated that costs wouldn’t increase. The project is still on track to open in December 2018 as the “Elizabeth line”.
£31bn Crossrail 2 Update
The transport secretary has said he wants London to fund half of the Crossrail 2 cost, which is currently expected to cost £31bn. According to building magazine, a department for transport statement said the Transport Secretary and Mayor of London had a productive meeting to discuss the rail link’s affordability ahead of this autumn’s budget.
£263m London Overground Extension
The green light has been given by the government for a £263m extension of the London overground between Gospel Oak and Barking Riverside. It will involve the construction of a new 4.5km of track, with train services expected to begin in late 2021 as the current estimate stands.
Gatwick Airport Framework
A total of 18 consultants have been awarded spots on two new frameworks for Gatwick Airport’s £1.5bn 5 year revamp plans. Construction projects at Gatwick will include a reconfiguration of stands for accessibility of changing aircrafts, a new hangar, the extension of Pier 6, a new domestic arrivals facility at the South Terminal and works on a self service bag drop. £240m is planned for 2017/18 alone.
Manchester Airport Revamp
A Main Contractor has signed the contract to revamp the Manchester Airport’s Terminal 2, as part of the Airport’s £1bn investment plans. The project will last 4 years, more than doubling the size of the Terminal 2 building. A new car park will also be constructed, with 3,800 car parking spaces, and with links to the terminal building. Other civils work will include the reconfiguration of access roads around the terminal.
HS2 Stations Design
Firms have been shortlisted to design three new stations for HS2. These will be Birmingham Curzon Street, Birmingham Interchange, and London’s Old Oak Common as well as a major expansion at Euston.
For more detailed info you can go to www.building.co.uk
Adam Cadwaladr
Recruitment Consultant