Willmott Dixon wins £10m Blackpool hospital contract

CONSTRUCTION group Willmott Dixon has won a £10.7m design and build contract to create a new three-storey main entrance and multi-storey car park at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

The upgrade and the addition of 958 more car parking spaces, will provide improved access to the hospital. The development will cost a total of £16.4m, with capital being borrowed from the Department of Health and paid back from income generated by retail and parking charges.

The new entrance  will include a pharmacy, retail units, café, main reception, waiting area and offices. It will be the main hospital access point for most patients, visitors and staff, apart from those using the emergency department and the delivery unit.

To accommodate the new car park, the scheme also involves a redesign of the  internal road layout and traffic light controls.   

Tim Welch, acting chief executive of the hospital said: “The car park will be a major step forward in the provision of high quality patient care. We are delighted construction work has started.”

Anthony Dillon, managing director at Willmott Dixon added: “We are delighted to be delivering what will be significant improvements to the facilities at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.”