Delayed immigration office to finally start

A delayed £55m office project in south London is finally expected to get off the starting blocks "within the next two months".

Last summer, about 40 contractors sent in prequalification bids for the scheme to revamp government office blocks at the Whitgift Centre, Croydon. The project, for the Home Office's Immigration and Nationality Directorate, has run into funding problems, but now sources say that the government is expected to finally come up with the cash by May. This will allow a start on site to be made during the late summer - about eight months late.

Sources say that project manager Turner & Townsend is considering seven or eight contractors that might make the shortlist. This is expected to be whittled down to a final six bidders.

The design and build scheme includes the phased refurbishment and refitting of about 50,000m2 of separate office blocks.