Work to correct structural defects at the new Royal Liverpool hospital is due to begin following a detailed review of the building by expert structural engineers, Arup, which found three of 11 floors required strengthening.
The new hospital was originally due to open in March 2017. Work was suspended in February 2018 following the collapse of construction firm, Carillion. There is much speculation around timescales and cost, but Dr Peter Williams, Chief Executive of the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals Trust says these will be confirmed once the programme is finalised and the costs are all accounted for.
A programme of work has been agreed with Laing O’Rourke to fix the structural issues. A statement from the Trust says the work involves stripping back areas that were near to completion to enable access to the concrete structure. Some of the cladding and exterior of the building will also need to be removed.
The interventions will require over 220 cubic metres of new concrete and 165 tons of new fabricated steelwork.
Jim Bell, Director of Arup, says: “The works are highly complex and are necessary to ensure the building is finished to the high standards required. We’re committed to collaborating with the Trust and Laing O’Rourke to help the Trust deliver the hospital that the city needs.”
Andy Thomson, Project Director at Laing O’Rourke adds: “Fixing the structural issues is a complex programme of work, with the added challenge of protecting the existing hi-tech fixtures and fittings in the hospital. This requires heating the building and maintaining water flow to prevent deterioration, which would lead to costly replacements if it was not diligently carried out.”
In a tweet, the Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, called the hospital “a monument to corporate greed and corruption.” He also called for an inquiry over what went so wrong.
