Olympics stadium contractor scores second large-scale Jersey project

Wednesday 12 September 2018

The contractor behind the O2 Arena, the London Olympics Park and Jersey’s £466million Future Hospital has now scored another high-profile island contract: the ‘airport of the future’.

Ports of Jersey yesterday announced the selection of Channel Islands contractor Garenne Construction Goup and civil engineers Sir Robert McAlpin - a firm that has worked on a number of notable UK projects, including the Olympic Stadium, the O2 Arena, Emirates Stadium, the Eden Project, the new US London Embassy and a new European headquarters for Bloomberg.

They said that they hoped the project would create jobs for the local construction market, and provide opportunities for apprentices.

Together, the construction and engineering team are now working on the detailed final designs for the new airport, which will involve demolishing the former arrivals building and creating a mezzanine floor in departures, with work expected to start at the end of this year. It should take three years to complete.

The appointment comes just months after the contractors were handed the reins to the Future Hospital project under the joint umbrella of ‘J3 Limited’. At the time, construction was also reported to be starting in late 2018. However, with the planning application and final site still yet to be fully approved, this could hit delays.

Video: An inside glimpse of how the Future Airport should look.

Ports of Jersey Group Capital Projects Director, Steve Tanner, who is overseeing the Future Airport project, said he was “pleased” about the appointment under a pre-construction agreement. “GSRM blends comprehensive local and UK supply chain experience with strong, relevant aviation expertise. Ports of Jersey is looking forward to working with GSRM through the next stages for our Future Airport redevelopment project.” 

Peter Munn, GSRM Board Director, added: “We are thrilled to have secured our place in working with Ports of Jersey on this prestigious and high-profile project. Our island-based team will soon be interfacing with the market to develop proposals and ensure that we bring the best out of both the Jersey and UK supply chain. 

“We are very excited as an integrated joint venture to use our combined knowledge and experience, both in Jersey and the aviation sector, to work with the client project team in bringing this project to life.”

The news comes as yet another group has stepped into the review process for the Future Hospital. While the planning application is yet to be approved and members of a board appointed by the Chief Minister are assessing whether building on the current site is appropriate, it was this morning announced that another panel of politicians would be getting involved.

Pictured: GSRM were also appointed for the Future Hospital project, which has stalled amid concerns over the site.

The Future Hospital Scrutiny Review Panel, which was previously led by Chief Minister Senator John Le Fondré and has now been reconstituted, will be holding public hearings in which the latest developments to do with the project - the largest capital undertaking in island history - will be discussed with Ministers and key stakeholders in the project, which could potentially include contractors. Senator Le Fondré will also be asked about the progress made when he was on the panel.

Chairman of the new Panel Deputy Kevin Pamplin commented: “Our job in Scrutiny is to hold ministers to account for their policies and to help keep the public informed on matters of public interest. The future hospital will be the Island’s largest project todate and it is important that the public are clear about the status of the project. The Chief Minister is ultimately responsible for this project so we want to get an update from him on hisGovernment’s progress to deliver this essential piece of infrastructure for the Island.”