Councils aiming to re-start work on vital ring road upgrade ‘soon’

Council chiefs say they hope to appoint a new main contractor for the Manchester/Salford ring road repairs that came to a halt last week after the previous contractor went into administration.

Dawnus Group was leading the project but work stopped early last week after sub-contractors claimed they had not been paid.

Last Friday it was confirmed that a team from Grant Thornton had been appointed joint administrators to the company.

A spokesperson for the Manchester-Salford Inner Relief Road scheme, which is being carried out jointly by Manchester and Salford City Councils, said they had been working on contingency plans to ensure the project can continue.

A spokesperson said: “We are continuing to make progress towards getting a new main contractor in place to finish off this project after receiving formal confirmation last Friday of previous main contractor Dawnus going into administration.

“It’s a complicated process but it’s one we are dealing with as a matter of urgency.

“We share the public’s desire to get these works – which will reduce congestion and improve traffic flow once they are finished – completed as soon as possible.

“We are confident that a new contractor will be in place and taking over the site soon.”

They added: “In the meantime, activity is taking place on site to ensure work can resume immediately once new contractors are in place.

“Manchester highways maintenance staff are now on site laying kerbs, surfacing pavements and filling holes so that everything is ready for a new main contractor.

“There are also staff on site 24/7 to ensure the site is safe and secure.”

Dawnus Group said last week that, due to financial difficulties, stemming primarily from the downturn in the construction industry, the directors resolved to place the group into administration.

Alistair Wardell, restructuring partner at Grant Thornton, said: “Our priority is to work with management to ensure that any impact on customers, employees and creditors, including sub-contractors, is minimised.

“That process is at its early stages and key employees continue to be retained to support the required procedures.”

Click here to sign up to receive our new South West business news...
Close