Member Article

New £48m project delivers high-class facilities to Tameside

Construction on a Joint Public Service Centre for Tameside Council and a new Advanced Skills Centre has been completed by construction company Robertson, as part of the ongoing infrastructure project, Vision Tameside, in Ashton-under-Lyne.

The £48m project partly opened its doors yesterday (4th March), giving local residents access to a state-of-the-art library, Tameside Council’s Customer Services and Welfare Rights, Citizens Advice, Cash Box Credit Union and Jobcentre Plus.

In the same building, the 7,000m2 Advanced Skills Centre for Tameside College will open later in March, providing state-of-the-art educational facilities, allowing students to study a broad range of vocational skills in the borough.

The project incorporates the latest energy-saving innovations, and provides a more customer-friendly and cost-effective building that offers better services for residents. It is estimated the centre will save £1.5million a year, taking new operational and annual running costs into account.

The completion of the two buildings marks the finalisation of Phase 2 to Vision Tameside – an ambitious redevelopment strategy that aims to bring greater economic prosperity and transform skills education in Tameside.

Robertson, which is one of the largest independently owned construction companies in the UK, completed work on the project, following the collapse of Carillion in January 2018, which threatened to halt construction.

In February last year, Tameside Council’s Executive Cabinet approved a proposal from its infrastructure partner, Inspired Spaces Tameside Limited (LEP), who were contracted to design and build the new facilities, to replace their original sub-contractor Carillion, with Robertson.

Robertson and the LEP, originally entered into an eight week Early Works Agreement but later extended this agreement for the duration of the project.

All Carillion employees that had worked on the project and were still looking for employment were given roles by Robertson. The construction company also invested in developing its young people throughout the duration of the project, with several completing apprenticeships while on site.

Tameside Council Executive Leader Councillor Brenda Warrington said: “I’m delighted that this fantastic new building is open, enabling our residents to access a host of services under one roof and make use of a wonderful new library. And college students will soon be able to use the state-of-the-art facilities in the new Tameside College building, giving them the best possible educational facilities.” 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 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.”

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