Taywood's writs total nearly £1m

Taylor Woodrow has had three writs served on it, totalling £886,574 for delays, breach of contract, and damages on three seperate construction projects.

M Bliss Brickwork, Northampton, is suing Taywood for work carried out on Oxford United Football Club. The hearing was held last week behind closed doors at the Technology and Construction Court (formerly the Official Referees Court) in London.

Bliss carried out brickwork and blockwork on all four new stands at the club. Work began on 18 November 1996, but was suspended 4 weeks later on 20 December until further notice, because the clients funds were exhausted.

After Taywood repudiated the contract by suspending the work, Bliss claims it suffered loss and damage of £141,942 on the £400,000, 22-week, contract.

Michael Bliss, director, said: "We are suing for loss of profit. Taylor Woodrow offered us an unacceptable level of compensation.

"We have invested a lot of money into this, and now there is no turning back."

A spokesman for Taylor Woodrow said: "We have been off-site for almost two years now, and the client also owes us money reported as being £6 million.

"As this was two years ago we have provided for the loss, but the situation is on-going."

Meanwhile, no date has been set for the hearings of either Tate and Lyle or mechanical and electrical engineers Rotary Southern.

Tate and Lyle is claiming damages for Taywood's 20 week delay incompleting work on a £15.5 million scheme at the Thames Refinery in Silvertown, east London, in September 1997.

Rotary Southern is claiming money for work and materials due under a 1994 contract for mechanical and electrical engineering work at MTC Worthydown and Marchwood, Middlesex, as well as damages for breach of contract.