Birse walks off site

by Paul Donovan



Birse Construction has walked off the St David's Adventurers Quays Development in Cardiff Bay after disagreement over payment.

The contractor began on the flats development in March last year but spiralling costs have led to Birse terminating the contract to cut its losses.

The £6 million project is being developed by the Berkeley Group.

Birse managing director John Elders claimed that there were delays and the cost of the project had increased.

"It was never clear how many blocks of flats would go up. We have chosen to get out now rather than finish and have a big argument over payment in the future," he said.

Elders confirmed that a writ would be issued against the client for non-payment in the future.

Birse is trying to ensure that obligations to subcontractors are taken on by the contractor who completes the work.

A spokeswoman for the Berkeley Group said: "Due to significant programme delays and problems in achieving the specified quality standards for the works, detailed discussions have taken place over the past two months culminating in the decision by Birse Construction to withdraw from the contract and its contractual obligations."