Wigan bus station rebuild receives national praise as part of engineering case study
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
The website for NEC Engineering and Construction Contract has used the multi-million-pound town centre scheme as a case study.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe £16m project involved building the state-of-the-art public transport hub on New Market Street, with the old buildings replaced by a steel-frame structure clad with brick and glass.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) let the main contractor Vinci under an NEC arrangement.
And the official body devoted to getting the region moving efficiently and quickly expressed its delight both at the good publicity and the outcome of the bus station build.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdTfGM interim head of projects group, Chris Barnes, said: “The redevelopment of Wigan bus station was a significant landmark for the town, providing a modern and accessible transport facility that not only makes travel easier for residents, but helps boost connectivity across the region.
“I’m delighted that the project has been highlighted nationally as an example of effective contract management.
“Using NEC fostered improved communication and relationships - identifying potential risks and enabling decisions to be taken quickly – ultimately ensuring that the infrastructure was delivered to a high-standard, on-budget and ahead of time.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe NEC contracts website says the bus station construction finished in September 2018, two months early and within budget.
Designed by Austin-Smith: Lord and Mott MacDonald, the new-look station aimed to create a safer and more attractive place for people to wait for their buses while also giving a better first impression of Wigan town centre to those arriving on public transport.
The station can handle 152 buses arriving or leaving an hour and also has a new travel shop, coffee shop, newsagent, accessible toilets and cycle parking.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe trade website also says the temporary passenger facilities erected during the construction work were created using a similar contract to the entire project.
As well as praising the way the NEC contract meant everyone involved in building the new station worked together TfGM said one benefit of it was that the cost and design of the whole thing was worked out at the initial procurement stage. The organisation said it adopted this approach following lesson-learning exercises from previous TfGM programmes.
The NEC system was created by the UK Institution of Civil Engineers to guide the process of running tenders and giving out contracts for major civil engineering and construction schemes.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdTo find out more, visit neccontract.com and search for Wigan Bus Station under the Case Studies section of the NEC In Action dropdown menu.
A message from the Editorial Director, Gillian Parkinson:
Thank you for reading this story on our website.
But I also have an urgent plea to make of you.
In order for us to continue to provide high quality local news on this free-to-read site and in print, please purchase a copy of our newspaper as well.
With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on our town centres and many of our valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you buying a copy when you pop out for your essential shop or subscribing for delivery.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdOur journalists are highly trained by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards anywhere in the world. Our content is universally trusted - as all independent research proves.
As Baroness Barran said in a House of Lords debate this week on the importance of journalists: "Not only are they a trusted source of facts, but they will have a role to play in rallying communities and getting the message across about how we can keep ourselves and our families safe, and protect our NHS. Undoubtedly, they have a critical role."
But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. In return we will continue to forensically cover the local news - not only the impact of the virus but all the positive and uplifting news happening in these dark days.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdWe thank all our readers and advertisers for their understanding and support - and we wish YOU all the best in the coming weeks. Keep safe, and follow the Government advice. Thank you.
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE:
You can subscribe for delivery by contacting us at [email protected] or calling us on 0330 4033004 for details of a participating newsagent near you.