BAM Construction formally appointed to £10.8m Ashford College project
BAM Construction has been appointed to the construction of Ashford College’s new campus at Elwick Road as the formal contract for the project’s construction is completed.
The £10.8m contract was signed on behalf of the Hadlow Group, of which Ashford College is part, by Mark Lumsdon-Taylor, Director of Finance and Resources. Adam Harding, South East Regional Director, signed on behalf of BAM Construction.
The contract covers the first stage of the project, which will cost a total of £16m. Part two will involve a second contract enabling the new build to be ready for the student intake in September 2017.
Mark Lumsdon-Taylor said: “The Hadlow Group is committed to bringing the long-awaited new campus to Ashford, an aspiration shared by Governors, students, staff and our many stakeholders.
“We are looking forward to working with BAM, a company with an impeccable reputation. The new-build project is a vitally important part of our commitment to developing educational provision for Ashford. The new college will be located in the vibrant centre of Ashford town where so many exciting developments are taking place, a wonderful location for our students.
“Ashford College is committed to working with employers and other stakeholders to ensure our students leave with the qualifications and skillset needed by the industries of their choice.”
Adam Harding said: “We’re delighted to be working with the Hadlow Group to create Ashford College and build on our excellent track record in Kent that includes projects such as the Bluewater Events Centre. We will look to use the opportunity of building Ashford College to engage students and the local community.
“It isn’t just what we build but how we build that matters. As a county, Kent is a very important economic centre for us and our well-developed supply chain means that we can return a lot of investment back to the local economy.”
The ambitious project is one of Ashford’s key development aims and will play a major part in the town’s future growth and prosperity.
Ashford Borough Council Leader Cllr Gerry Clarkson said: “At last we can realise our vision for a further education and higher education college right in the heart of the town at Elwick Road, adjacent to the International Station. A highly skilled workforce is fundamental to the success of our versatile economic growth and this will make a vital contribution to rejuvenating the town centre.”