Work to construct a brand new fire station in Bootle, Merseyside continues to make great progress.
The project – implemented by Cumbria County Council – comprises the construction of a new on-call fire station for Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service. The new station will replace the existing Bootle fire station on Main Street and will provide improved facilities for fire fighters and the wider community.
The construction of the new station is part of an ongoing programme by Cumbria Fire & Rescue Service to ensure that the correct services and facilities are in place correct locations. The new fire station will also include a community room, which will become a hub for the village, along with office space, a vehicle appliance bay and a training tower.
Cumbria’s Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Adrian Buckle, said:
“With much of the focus now being on prevention rather than cure when it comes to dealing with fires, educating people about reducing fire risks and keeping themselves safe is a key part of what we do, so the community facilities at the station will aid our work in spreading the safety message.”
Work began in November 2013 and is scheduled to reach completion in June 2014. As the new fire station is being constructed on the site of a former Highways depot the project will also include the installation of a new salt barn for use by Cumbria Highways.
Walter Carefoot is the main contractor on the project, whilst Architects Plus (UK) Ltd are providing all architectural services on the scheme. Based in Cumbria, Architects Plus is a leading architectural practice operating extensively throughout the North West of England and the South West of Scotland.
Speaking to Premier Construction about the project, Architects Plus (UK) Ltd Company Director, Christian Judd, said:
“We were commissioned through the Cumbria County Council framework. At present the steel frame and superstructure has been erected. The roof cladding is being installed, the internal block work walls are installed and work is running as expected.
“The main challenge that we have faced is connected to constructing a building on contaminated land. As this site is within a former Highways depot we were aware of an underground fuel tank, but when we excavated we discovered additional contaminated land. We had to deal with it in strict accordance with the Environment Agency and Copland Borough Council.”
Christian added:
“There are quite a few other developments taking place around the surrounding areas, so there is quite a strong focus on creating new facilities for the community in Bootle. We have a long standing working relationship with Cumbria County Council; we are on the Council’s framework for architectural services and we conduct a great deal of work in the education sector as well as for the community. This project in Bootle is one in a long list of projects which we have been associated with the Council and we are pleased to be involved with this scheme.”
Optech Fibres Ltd
Optech Fibres Ltd is an electrical, lighting, street lighting, data and IT contractor, employing 40 staff in Cumbria and Lancashire. The company has been in operation since 1993, and in 2014 celebrates 21 years in the business.
Optech Fibres Ltd operate in most markets, most notably working with local councils, on education, defence and security schemes and on local small to large enterprises. Working on the Bootle Fire Station project, Optech Fibres Ltd delivered the electrical, lighting and data services.
Rob Bowman, Optech Fibres Ltd, said:
“This is an important flagship project for us, it is a new client to our company, and it is a key objective for us to ensure that we are represented on all new building projects in Cumbria and North Lancashire. Our involvement here was particularly demanding as it meant engaging with eleven different construction companies in order to win this project.”
Rob added:
“At Optech Fibres Ltd we pride ourselves on our professionalism, attention to detail, and our ability to establish trust and credibility with all we come into contact with. This furthers our reputation as a trustworthy partner on projects large and small.”
