Council opens services in £48m Tameside One

Robertson has completed construction of a 160,000 sq ft building in Ashton-under-Lyne which will see the co-location of Tameside College and Tameside Council, a scheme that was delayed following the collapse of contractor Carillion.

The £48m second phase of the Vision Tameside regeneration project is being opened in two stages throughout March; this week saw the opening of the council’s Joint Public Service Centre, which includes a library and services including welfare rights, Citizens Advice, and Jobcentre Plus.

The scheme is built on the former site of council administrative offices. The council has reduced the amount of space its services occupy by around half, and the building design incorproates energy-saving measures so the council can target a saving of £1.5m a year.

Later this month, Tameside College will open the 70,000 sq ft Advanced Skills Centre, which includes training space for vocational subjects. The first phase of Vision Tameside saw two facilities built for Tameside College and completed in 2016.

Robertson was drafted in last year to complete the centre following the collapse of Carillion in January 2018. The development is led by the council’s infrastructure partner Inspired Spaces Tameside. Ryder Architecture designed the building.

Robertson originally entered into an eight-week Early Works Agreement but later extended this agreement for the duration of the project. During the course of the project, the council provided an additional £9m to ensure completion.

Dirk Pittaway, managing director of Robertson North West, said: “This project will provide high-class facilities to the people of Tameside and make a real difference in the local community.

“The Robertson team has worked tirelessly with Tameside Council to ensure this phase of Vision Tameside has been delivered to the highest standard and I’m delighted with the outcome of the project.

“A particularly pleasing part of the project has been Robertson’s ability to secure employment for the site team from the former contractor and support the development of young people throughout construction with several completing their apprenticeships.”