Media war rages over Wembley opening

A huge row over the scheduling of client works has further soured relations between Multiplex and client Wembley National Stadium Limited (WNSL) and threatens to further delay practical completion and handover.

At issue are the communication works, including installation of BT lines, the external CCTV system and the internal radio links, for which extensive cabling is required throughout the stadium.

This work was originally planned to be done simultan-eously by WNSL while Multiplex completed its other work. But now, Multiplex said the client wants it off the site while it carries out the works.

With the row being played out in the media over the weekend, WNSL has stated that some of its staff are being denied site access.

Multiplex claims it has been waiting for a revised programme for the work since the beginning of the year and that there is no problem in the work being carried out simultaneously.

"In fact, we would like to see more WNSL personnel on-site getting on with their works or preparing for the ramp-up events, which it will have to host," it said. But Multiplex admits it has "restricted people" who do not need to be on the site.

"We have, in recent weeks, been obliged to restrict access to WNSL’s non-essential guests while we work on revised procedures for such visitors.

"This follows some regrettable breaches of the existing procedures by guests of WNSL – matters which we take very seriously. The current restrictions do not affect anyone connected with advancing the project."

For its part, WNSL is refusing to comment officially. But there is fury that its business teams are being denied access, believing this to be critical for successful operational planning. It claims its staff have been allowed on site for the past four years and are only being denied access now.

Earlier this week, Multiplex revealed in its update statement to the Australian Stock Exchange that the stadium will not be ready until next summer, blaming the delays on a number of works yet to be completed by the client.

WNSL denied the claims and said it was confident the stadium would be ready for next season’s FA Cup Final. But it is concerned that delays in practical completion will pull back the deadlines for operational completion.