Building work to re-start next weekon flagship Birkenhead medical centre

Jun 17 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Heswall News

WORK is expected to start again next week on a flagship medical centre in Birkenhead.

Construction work on the £3.9m Laird Street Medical Centre was scheduled to be completed in October this year by New Ferry-based contractor Felton Construction.

But work was halted in May after the firm went into administration.

Liverpool firm Nobles Construction has now stepped in to complete the project, which will now be completed by March 2010.

The centre is being developed by LSP Developments and primary care investor Assura.

Phil Lilley, director or LSP Developments said: “It has been our priority to appoint a new contractor as soon as possible and to minimise any delay to the completion of building works.

“We put in place a rigorous selection process to ensure that we appointed the right contractor who is has the experience and track record to complete the building.”

Once completed, the health centre will accommodate eight GPs from the nearby Miriam and Cavendish Medical Centres.

It will also house a pharmacy and space for community services.

Dr Abhi Mantgani of the Miriam Medical Centre said: “We are delighted to hear that the project is back on track.”

Dr Janet Melville of Cavendish Medical Practice, said: "It was a real shame to hear that building work had been forced to stop temporarily as we had put in a lot of effort to get this far.”