Financial close for Miller's West Country police stations

The contractor is building three new police stations and a firearms training centre as part of the Blue Light Partnership, an investment joint venture with Bilfinger Berger Project Investments.

The Blue Light Partnership has now secured its financing for the project, paving the way for construction to start picking up speed.

Value of the construction element is £102m. The contractalso includes responsibility for maintaining the buildings for 25 years.

The new buildings are:

• A Somerset operations base at Express Park, Bridgwater, incorporating a custody and crime investigation centre, police station, specialist operations and local policing teams
• A custody and crime investigation centre and police station at Gloucester Road, Patchway
• A custody and crime investigation centre at Ashmead Road, Keynsham; and
• A firearms training centre at Black Rock Quarry, Portishead – serving Avon & Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Police.

Work has already started at Black Rock Quarry and Express Park, with the remaining two facilities starting in early 2013.  The projects are being delivered by Miller Constructions’ Midlands and Southwest region and are scheduled to be complete in early 2014.

Miller Construction chief executive Chris Webster said: “We are delighted to be working on this important project, which further demonstrates our integrated approach of providing both investment and construction services.

“The current financial market has meant that financial close has been challenging. However, by working innovatively with our client, our partners and our funders, solutions have been provided to ensure a successful close.  We are now focusing on the delivery of these schemes that will make a positive impact on how police services will be delivered across the area.”

Miller Construction hosted three ‘Meet the Buyer’ events in the region earlier this year as part of an undertaking to place 70% of construction subcontracts within a 35 mile radius of the sites or within the force area.  Opportunities will also be made available throughout the construction programme for apprentices and for 16 ex-offenders. 

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