Kier starts work on new Carlisle College facility
Redevelopment work at Carlisle College got underway this week for a new facility to replace redundant buildings on a site in Victoria Road.
Following a tender process, Kier Construction was selected as the preferred contractor to build the new teaching facility at the college. The firm beat six other companies within the tendering process and college said it appointed Kier based on "the quality and commercial aspects" of its proposal.
Moira Tattersall, principal at Carlisle College, said: "We are delighted to have reached the stage of awarding contracts for the new build. This capital investment will enable Carlisle College to further develop its reputation as a safe and successful learning environment providing excellent facilities."
Work includes the installation of a temporary site boundary around the first phase of demolition which will include the buildings on Strand Road, Harrington Street and Compton Street.
The new facilities are being funded by the North West Development Agency, which put forward around £5m, and Cumbria County Council, which supported the project with £3m.
Jill Stannard, chief executive of Cumbria County Council, added: "This is a significant investment in the College's new facilities and also a significant investment in the education of young people in Carlisle and across North Cumbria. The way that the County Council, NWDA and Carlisle College have worked together has been a triumph."
Neighbours of the college will receive letters to inform them of the imminent works.
Kevin Cottam, director at Kier Construction, said: "This site will have its challenges but we look forward to completing a safe and successful project and to seeing the fruits of our construction activity in service to the young people of Carlisle . Our first aim is to establish a safe and environmentally sound construction site and to do all that we can to be a good neighbour. We aim to keep the local residents, potential students and people of Carlisle up to date with the construction progress over the next year or so."
Once the site boundary has been secured, the buildings will be stripped of wiring and plumbing, before the demolition. The college said this first phase is expected to take four weeks to complete.
