Mowlem off Bath Spa by 7pm tonight

Mowlem should be off the troubled Bath Spa site by 7pm tonight (Thursday).

The deadline is subject to all Mowlem's equipment having been removed and the contractor being satisfied that all health and safety matters have been addressed. The contractor has been on site since August 2000.

Bath & North East Somerset Council (BANES) asked Mowlem to leave the site on Friday morning last week. The move came as a shock to Mowlem.

Capita Symonds was appointed contract administrator and project manager. Its task is to complete the much-delayed scheme using specialist contractors.

The council has £7.2m left in its coffers to complete the spa. Asked last week by CJ if the council is prepared to pay more than that, a spokeswoman said: "The council is determined to see the spa open and operational as soon as possible."

Legal action will follow as Mowlem considers the council's actions to be a repudiation of the contract. Nevertheless, BANES is confident of its legal position.

There is still no clear opening date for the spa.