Public Services appoints TPS for Guernsey Airport works

19 September 2010

States of Guernsey Public Services has appointed engineering and project management firm TPS to provide technical oversight for essential maintenance works at Guernsey Airport

In September 2009 the States approved a programme of essential works, which is expected to begin in 2011 and take around two years to complete.  This significant civil engineering project involves establishing improved runway safety areas, reconstructing the runway and aircraft aprons and rehabilitating the taxiways, along with the replacement of the drainage system and airfield lighting. 

TPS successfully tendered for the role, and will now be responsible for liaising with the main contractor, once appointed, and supervising all aspects of the project on behalf of the States. This will include the post-tender negotiations, detailed planning, and the construction phase through to completion.

Group director of civil engineering, Gerry Prickett, is heading up the team of airfield specialists from TPS.  He will report directly to the project board, which comprises representatives of Public Services, Guernsey Airport, States Property Services, and Treasury & Resources. 

A chartered engineer with more than 35 years’ experience, Gerry was most recently project manager for the £42 million runway safety upgrade in the Isle of Man. He has also overseen aerodrome developments at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Oxford and airport construction projects in Ghana and Madrid. 

Public Services has also advanced the process of appointing a contractor to carry out the essential maintenance works at Guernsey Airport. 
Invitations to tender for the works have been sent out to four construction firms, all of which have previous experience of similar airfield projects.  Bids will be returned in October this year following which there will be a three month evaluation period while detailed project planning is carried out.  This will include the phasing and scheduling of the various elements of the project, and it is expected a preferred contractor will be identified during this phase.

Public Services Minister, Deputy Bernard Flouquet, who chairs the Airport Project Board, stated TPS’ appointment would ensure the proper supervision of the contractor.

“Experience from previous capital projects has demonstrated it is vital that we not only have the right contractor carrying out the work, we also have the relevant project management expertise to oversee the construction on behalf of the States,” he said. 

“TPS has been brought on board prior to the appointment of the contractor, so that we have the necessary expertise in place during the post-tender negotiations and detailed planning phase.  They will provide regular reports to the States, both prior to and while construction work is underway, and ensure the project progresses as planned and is delivered on time and on budget.”

The four companies invited to bid for the construction work were included in the shortlist approved by the States in October 2009, following a pre-tender selection process.  They are Edmund Nuttall, Fitzpatrick Contractors, Lagan Construction, and Trant Construction. 

Deputy Flouquet said it is expected that the successful bidder will use local contractors for many elements of the project.  Meetings have already been held in the island between the shortlisted companies and Guernsey firms. 

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