Skanska and partners reach financial close on £173m Building Schools for the Future programme in Bristol

The first ever project in the £45bn Building Schools for the Future programme has reached financial close.

Contractor Skanska, delivery body Partnerships for Schools and Bristol City Council reached financial close on the first ever Local Education Partnership last week, which will deliver the first stage of the city’s BSF programme at a cost of £173m.

The LEP, which is set up for a minimum of 10 years, will deliver capital allowing the development of new schools as well as the refurbishment of the city’s secondary school estate. The programme will integrate £8m of ICT provision into school design for the first time at a programme level.

In advance of financial close, Skanska has already commenced work on the first school, to make sure it will be ready for September 2007.

The BSF is a DfES method of creating a framework for school development in one area.