Contractor makes £1.3m provision following Didcot A deaths

The contractor which was demolishing the Didcot A power station when a building collapse caused the deaths of four workers has made a £1.3m provision for exceptional costs.

Coleman & Company, based in Great Barr, pulled out of the project after the tragic incident last February.

It said: “Subsequent to the year-end, commercial discussions regarding the incident are continuing and whilst the directors are confident of a reasonable outcome, the operating profit has been reduced by prudent provisions.”

It also said it had received professional advice that supports the belief “insurance cover should be available to offset any financial claims”.

In accounts just published for the year to April 2016, Coleman’s pre-tax profits dropped slightly to £1.03m after a £2m reduction in turnover, to £28.2m.