Carillion replacements drafted in on major projects

9 March 2018 12:00 Comments (2)

Robertson and Sir Robert McAlpine have been chosen to replace collapsed contractor Carillion on two major projects in Greater Manchester.

In Salford, Select Property Group has appointed Sir Robert McAlpine to replace collapsed contractor Carillion on its 505-home Affinity Living Riverside and Riverview schemes.

The riverside scheme was given planning permission in July 2016 and Carillion was working on the project until it was liquidated in early January. Works completed so far include part of the concrete frame and some of the cladding.

The development includes the 35-storey Riverview tower housing 320 apartments alongside the 17-storey Riverside building comprising 185 apartments.

Riverside was originally scheduled for completion at the end of 2018, while Riverview was scheduled to complete in 2019.

Select said the team’s “immediate priority” would be to “formalise all programme timings” but added McAlpine was already on site.

Mark Oakes, chief commercial officer of Select Property Group, said: “Thanks to the proactive approach of our team we have been able to expedite what can ordinarily be a lengthy process.

“We are delighted to have the Sir Robert McAlpine team on board to complete the scheme and we look forward to updating the industry in the coming months.”

Simon Trevor, Sir Robert McAlpine’s managing director for Central, Wales and the West, added: “The Riverside and Riverview schemes are significant projects in Manchester and it’s a pleasure to be starting work with the Select Property Group team.”

Nearby schemes formerly being undertaken by Carillion include a build-to-rent block by English Cities Fund, which also sits alongside the river Irwell. Bowmer & Kirkland stepped in to complete the project after Carillion’s collapse, and is now on site completing the project.

Meanwhile, Robertson has been chosen for Vision Tameside, a major regeneration project in Ashton town centre.

Tameside Council and its infrastructure partner, Inspired Spaces Tameside, has picked Robertson to take over from Carillion on a 75,000 sq ft advanced skills centre and a new home for the council’s public services.

Construction of the steel frame had already completed at the time of Carillion’s collapse, with subcontractors working on site to complete the roofing, curtain walling, cladding and brickwork.

Robertson has signed an eight-week early works agreement and is now working to secure the employment of the project’s construction staff and bring subcontractors back to the site.

The contractor confirmed there would be a delay to the project’s original planned completion date, but “everything possible” was being done to get the project completed.

Dirk Pittaway, managing director of Robertson North West, said: “We know that the project is a high priority for Tameside, and we are proud to be able to play our part in ensuring it is successfully delivered.

“We also welcome our new colleagues into the Robertson family. When entering into the early works agreement it was a key priority that we were able to offer employment to all those that previously worked on the project”.