Multiplex blames client for fresh Wembley delays

The dispute between client and contractor of the new Wembley stadium intensified today when Multiplex claimed a lack of client works was behind the delayed completion of the scheme. In a statement to the Austalian Stock Exchange today the contractor said the stadium was unlikely to be finsihed before June next year and that it was entitled to an extension of time to October 2007. The statement added it had advised client Wembley National Stadium Limited (WNSL) "of its intention to pursue legal proceedings in that and other respects, including WNSL's acts and ommissions which are preventing Multiplex's ability to achieve practical completion".

Multiplex claims its work is "substanitially complete" despite a delay to seat installation but that the client work of seeking approvals from authorities to gain permission for the stadium being used for events had not been done. The statement added: "To obtain these approvals a series of test events will be required at the stadium to demonstrate to the Authorities that the integration of the safety and control facilities are working properly such that a 90,000 spectator event can take place.

"Unless and until WNSL hold and successfully complete this series of test events, and obtain the required approvals, Multiplex will be prevented from achieving practical completion. In the absence of a detailed programme having been provided by WNSL, Multiplex has conducted its own analysis of the programme to completion of the client works. This has been based on Multiplex’s own assumptions of the current state of WNSL’s preparedness. The analysis has been reviewed with an expert in the operation of major stadia and indicates that it is unlikely that the stadium will be able to hold a test event for 90,000 spectators before June 2007."