EC Harris fast-tracks world
class scheme in
Bradford
[December 2009]
International Built Asset Consultancy, EC
Harris, has been successful in fast-tracking the development of
Bradford Council’s imaginative £24.4 million City Park scheme,
accelerating its delivery by up to a year.
Work by Birse Civils Ltd on the ambitious
six-acre project starts this week and will surround the Grade 1
listed City Hall, representing the first stage in creating the
setting for Bradford’s new central business district and providing
a catalyst for further investment. The complex project - due
to be completed by summer 2011 - is the central focus of Bradford’s
Masterplan, and will bring world-class public realm and events
space to the city, including the largest city centre
water feature in the UK.
The whole project is being jointly funded by
Bradford Council, Yorkshire Forward and the Regional Transport
Board, and has been accelerated in line with Yorkshire Forward’s
capital spending requirements. EC Harris is fulfilling a triple
role, overseeing the complex works programme, as well as providing
project and cost management services. The role includes
the co-ordination of all on and off-site works, development of the
innovative mirror pool and public realm areas, infrastructure,
traffic management and road closure requirements. Together, this
has required the consultancy’s specialist expertise to facilitate
shortened delivery timescales.
Duncan Melville, North East Location Leader
for EC Harris explained: “Bringing all aspects of the project
together at the right time and to budget has been challenging, as
the timing of works and their implementation is absolutely
critical. Orchestrating the programme and managing costs,
within forecasted budgets and cash flow schedules to ensure capital
investment is spent correctly and at the right time, is fundamental
to the project’s success.
“Working as a team and in partnership with
Bradford Council and Yorkshire Forward, we have been able to
develop a bespoke contract which has enabled Birse Civils, the
appointed main contractor, to participate in the design development
process.
“Our extensive experience in the development
of large-scale public realm projects continues to be a distinct
benefit to the team and we are pleased to be delivering such an
important project and bringing a world-class scheme to Bradford
city centre.”
- Ends-
Notes to Editors
About EC Harris
EC Harris is an International Built Asset Consultancy - acting
as trusted advisors to clients - in planning and executing
strategies that optimise the construction, operation, use and
ownership of built assets. The firm has 46 wholly owned
offices in 24 countries employing 3,400 people. Turnover
in 2008/09 was £306m.