One million construction hours completed at Larkhill

A total of one million build hours have been completed by Aspire Defence at Larkhill Garrison for the Army Basing Programme (ABP).

Contractors for Aspire Defence Capital Works (ADCW) have been hard at work at the Royal School of Artillery since November 2016, when the construction programme began.

ABP is a joint Army and Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) programme, involving the withdrawal of British soldiers from Germany in 2019 and numerous Unit moves within the UK.  It requires delivery of new and improved infrastructure by Aspire Defence across Salisbury Plain Training Area and at Aldershot, to cater for incoming and relocating troops.

During the 1m. hours already worked at Larkhill, a staggering 700,000 bricks have been laid, 24 km of utility trenches dug and 120,000m3 of concrete poured.

A total of 16 assets have been completed in Larkhill, including regimental headquarters, offices, training and stores.  In all, eight Junior Ranks’ Single Living Accommodation (JR SLA) blocks have been handed over.

Richard Tindal, Project Director Larkhill for ADCW, said:

“Thanks to the effective working partnerships we’ve fostered with the DIO, our contractors, supply chain and the Army, we’ve maintained an impressive pace of progress across all build sites here since the start of construction some 15 months ago.  Reaching a million construction hours is a milestone that we’re all proud to recognise, alongside our excellent safety and sustainability record during that timeframe.”

The construction programme has faced some interesting challenges along the way, including relocating 400 lizards and 80 grass snakes from the site of the new regimental headquarters, ground and foundation re-engineering to overcome a former waste tip and painstaking archaeological investigations following the discovery of Bronze Age burials in the vicinity of the new Mess buildings.

ADCW remains on track to ensure key ‘eat and sleep’ assets are ready for soldiers to move into in 2019, with yet more hours being clocked up as work continues across the Garrison.

Assets currently under construction include eight technical buildings at Purvis Lines, three regimental headquarters, one training facility, three Messes, a Junior Ranks’ diner (a dining and retail facility for Junior Ranks), more JR SLA blocks, one Senior Ranks’ SLA, various carparks, hard standings and a new parade ground. Enabling works are also underway for a new medical and dental building, and a new physical and recreational training centre.

Kieran Ward, ABP PAC Delivery Lead (DIO), said:

“Enhancing the defence estate is a key priority under ABP and we are delighted with the delivery at Larkhill, which will ensure that soldiers can live, work and train to their full potential. The size of the estate around SPTA will increase to reflect the increase in troops relocating to the area and the quality of infrastructure will ensure longevity of built assets with reduced maintenance costs.”

Lt Col David Penniall MBE BEM RA, Deputy Garrison Commander, Larkhill, said:

“The garrison landscape has been transformed over recent months.  We look forward to more high quality single living and working accommodation being delivered for our soldiers, as the ABP programme enters peak construction phase this summer.”

 

 

Top photo:

Marking a million hours: Contractor Oliver Payne floats the concrete to give a great finish on the foundation of a new Senior Ranks’ Single Living Accommodation

Bottom photo:

Contractor SEARLE team at the site of the new Senior Ranks’ Mess at Larkhill – with Richard Tindal (far left) and Niels Anderson (third from right) from Aspire Defence Capital Works