Parts of the troubled Bath Spa will have to be totally redone under the new rescue plan, the scheme’s project manager has said.

John Betty, head of major projects for Bath and North-East Somerset council (Banes), told the council that most building work should be complete by Christmas.

Banes is working with project manager Capita Symonds after it dismissed contractor Mowlem from the site last month. QS News revealed the Easter 2006 completion date last week.

Betty said: “Pool surround floors will have to come up, the screed taken out through the building and the underfloor heating and pipe work removed – as well as the original problems associated with the steam room floor. We will literally have to start again in some areas.”

The news came as Mowlem reiterated its offer to complete the Spa within six months at a negotiated maximum fixed price. Its previous offer, to do so for £26m, was rejected by the council.

Betty said of the offer: “Suffice to say we were unconvinced they had time to do the work and that it constituted value for money. We were also concerned that the £26m was not the end of the story.”

Banes has appointed top law firm Taylor Wessing for its expected legal action against Mowlem, as it emerged it had already spent £1m in legal fees over the Spa.

The total cost of the Spa could exceed £43m – £30m more than was originally estimated.

Source

QS News