North West

Trafford College gets a multi-million pound boost

Trafford College Redevelopment

A redevelopment project worth £9 million to extend and modernize Trafford College’s Talbot Road site is now well underway.

When complete, the revamped site will accommodate the provision currently offered at the Technology Centre site on Moss Road in Stretford. This move will see new facilities being developed and old equipment being replaced to create a modern and fully equipped new learning environment.

The scheme involves a three-phase programme with sectional completion dates leading up to project handover in September 2013, ready for the new academic year. The complex project involves extensive remodeling of the original building with significant structural alterations, in addition to the construction of a new extension.

Some of the key features of the redevelopment will include world class Engineering and Motor Vehicle workshops, cutting edge Science laboratories, modern classrooms with advanced technology, as well as a specialist Green Room for the latest renewable energy resources.

Trafford College has a long standing reputation for high quality Science and Technology training delivery. The new facility aims to further meet sector demands and prepare future generations with the skills and knowledge to ensure Trafford and Greater Manchester stay at the forefront of Science and Technology innovation.

Principal, Sir Bill Moorcroft, commented:

“Following on from the highly successful development of the College’s Altrincham site, we are delighted that our plans for the extension and redevelopment of Talbot Road are moving forward.

“This redevelopment will not only allow us to continue to provide the highest standard of teaching and learning for our students, but it will also act as a resource for the whole community, bringing access to state-of-the-art facilities and training opportunities to local residents.”

Leader of Trafford Council Matt Colledge added:

“Trafford College is one of the borough’s great assets and this enhanced facility at Talbot Road will not only increase the already excellent educational and training opportunities the College can offer, but also complements the ongoing regeneration plans for the Stretford area.”

The project is due for completion by the end of 2013 and commenting on the redevelopment so far, Project Manager, Joe D’Alessio from Arcadis, said:

“The redevelopment involves the refurbishment of 70% of the ground floor, the fitting of new science labs on the first floor and the build of a new 1170m2 extension.

“The work on the extension consists mainly of brickwork, window fitting and the construction of some curtain walling as well as partition walls.”

Speaking on some of the challenges involved, Joe added:

“It’s a very challenging project because we are redeveloping most of the ground floor and we are knocking a lot of walls down and creating large open plan areas so that’s led to a lot of temporary  engineering work to support the upper floor.

“We have now completed the first phase, which has been challenging, but the college are very pleased with it. I’m looking forward to next year and taking on the structural works.”

ISG were awarded the contract to redevelop the Talbot Road Campus along with an additional £200,000 scheme at the college’s Altrincham campus to provide staff rooms during the works.

The project is part of a broader regeneration strategy for the area, which aims to see an increase in the creation of jobs, improvements to highways and the physical environment, and enhanced access to sporting and training opportunities for the local community.

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