Robertson hands over Whitefield fire station
Part of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service’s £65m estate revamp, the Bury New Road facility is a replacement for the town’s dated 1960s building.
Robertson Construction has completed the two-storey, 13,000 sq ft Whitefield fire station and handed the building over to the force.
It is the second fire station the contractor has built in Greater Manchester in short order following completion of a facility in Blackley late last year. Robertson was procured via the North West Construction hub to replace ISG on the job after the contractor collapsed with debts of around £1bn.
Robertson is working with GMFRS in the planning stages of two new stations in Heywood and Withington.
Both the Whitefield and Blackley fire stations were designed by architect Bradshaw Gass & Hope. Paul Butler Associates, Pennine Ecological, Crofton Engineering, Harley Haddow, IGE Consulting, and LK Group, are also advising.
The building includes various technologies to improve its environmental credentials, including a green roof to regulate temperature and reduce rainwater run-off, solar panels and air source heat pumps to improve energy efficiency, and energy-efficient lighting to lower its carbon footprint.
An opening event attended by Greater Manchester Mayor Bev Craig was held this week.
Paul Coyle, regional managing director at Robertson Construction North West, said “It was incredibly rewarding to join the official opening at Whitefield, the second new station we have delivered following Blackley and to see both facilities now playing an important role in supporting firefighters and the communities they serve.
“Throughout both projects, we helped generate a positive local impact by employing 28 local people, providing 198 weeks of apprenticeships and prioritising local MSME spend. We look forward to building on this impact and continuing our partnership with GMFRS.”
Craig said: “As Greater Manchester grows, it’s vital we continue backing our fire service with the modern facilities it needs to help keep our residents safe.
“This new station is an investment in Whitefield and the people who live here, as well as in the firefighters who work every day to keep our communities safe. It’s great to see the new station open and ready to serve the community for years to come.”
