O'Rourke and Balfour chase £80m Bristol job

Just two contractors have picked up the tender paperwork for an £80m mixed development deal in Bristol.

Laing O'Rourke and Balfour Beatty will fight it out for Castlemore Securities' scheme at Temple Quay.

An insider said: "For what it's worth, Balfour's got form with Castlemore. The contractor recently won a £100m office block contract with the developer at Holborn Viaduct in London.

"And I'm surprised that only two firms are bidding for the Bristol job, given the importance of the project. Castlemore often also turns to HBG to price major schemes, but apparently not this time."

The Bristol scheme centres on the redevelopment of the derelict Harbourside area into a residential and commercial centre.

The project takes in plots known as ND2, 3 and part of 4 on the site.

ND2 will feature a 13-storey tower block including 72 apartments. The other plots are earmarked for around 20,000m2 of office space.

Bids are due back in August and a start on site is expected this year. Completion is due within two years.