South West construction industry poised for growth

The South West construction industry is set for a major boost, with a strong programme of work due to break ground over the next year.

Glenigan’s construction market intelligence shows that work is scheduled to begin on 10,015 high-value projects (with a value of £250,000 or more) in the South West in the 12 months from August 2023.

A number of major education schemes are coming up in the South West. These include the £185 million West Park student accommodation development at the University of Exeter (Project ID: 20501979). Graham was appointed as the main contractor last Autumn. Glenigan’s construction market research shows that work will start on-site in October.

Major government programmes are also due to boost workloads in both the education and health sectors.

Work on a £39.3 million rebuild of Patchway Community School (pictured) will begin in December (Project ID: 21339578). Wates was appointed as the main contractor earlier this year for the scheme, which is part of the Department for Education’s School Rebuilding programme.

In the health sector, work will get underway in November on a £126 million emergency department at Derriford Hospital at Plymouth in Devon (Project ID: 21469693). A joint venture between Mace and Willmott Dixon known as MWD Healthcare is taking on the scheme that is part of the Department of Health’s Hospital Rebuilding programme.

Plans for a £45.3 million redevelopment of Dorset County Hospital are at an earlier stage of the procurement cycle but Glenigan’s construction industry analysis suggests work will begin next summer (Project ID: 23217515).

Civil pipeline

A number of civil engineering schemes are also in the pipeline in the South West.

Tenders were returned on August 18 for a £75 million deal to carry out phases 4-5 of work on a bypass at Chippenham in Wiltshire, where construction should start next March (Project ID: 19419702).

Work could start at the end of this year on a £150 million redevelopment of Bristol Parkway rail station once a contractor is in place (Project ID: 22445717).

Tarmac and its subsidiary Alun Griffiths are already signed up for the £65 million Banwell Bypass scheme in Somerset and will begin on site early in the New Year (Project ID: 19380549).

Galliford Try is due to start construction next Autumn on a £254 million improvements scheme at junction 10 of the M5 in Cheltenham (Project ID: 20170822).

Industrial plans

The South West is also home to a number of major industrial schemes.

St Modwen continues to schedule and procure more packages at its Chippenham Park development in Wiltshire (Project ID: 16221419). Work on the £23.3 million Phase 2 Unit 4 will get underway in October (Project ID: 22381192).

Winvic will commence in February on a £265 industrial development on the site of a former Honda factory in Swindon (Project ID: 21207562).

In Somerset, Cubex Land and Fiera Estates are currently tendering a £25 million contract to build a warehouse at Highbridge (Project ID: 22144762). Work should also begin in February.

Strong Cycle

With a strong programme of construction schemes at various stages of the procurement cycle, the South West looks set to benefit in the year ahead.