BAM completes college in Chester

Salford-based construction company BAM has completed phase one of West Cheshire College's Handbridge campus in Chester.

BAM said the £12.5m project provided work to more than 1,400 people in the North West consuming over 440,000 man hours.

Howard Mainwaring, BAM's project manager, said: "Three quarters of our sub-contractor contracts in excess of £100,000 were placed with firms within the region, totaling around £5m alone. That's a significant contribution to the local economy and a good way to support the work of the college which has been a first rate partner to work with."

The Handbridge campus was part of a £48m contract awarded to BAM from West Cheshire College in March 2009.

The vocational further education institution also appointed the construction firm to build campuses in Regent Road and Ellesmere Port, as part of a £70m redevelopment programme starting in 2002.

The building at Handbridge also achieved a B-rated energy performance certificate and a 'very good' 'BREEAM' rating.

The three-storey building opens for student occupation this week.