Merseylink boosts construction crew with local recruits
Merseylink has bolstered its bridge-building crew with the appointment of construction workers from Halton and the surrounding area.
Forty local people have joined the construction consortium so far, working across a range of roles from administration to construction, and this number will increase as work progresses.
(L-R) Local construction workers Kevin Gibney from Liverpool, Chris Moore from Runcorn, Bill Dale from Runcorn, Edward Gray from Liverpool, and Simon Holker from St Helens, with Merseylink foreman Jim Jewell.
The new recruits will have a key role in the construction of the Mersey Gateway Project, which includes the new Mersey Gateway Bridge and a huge amount of additional work in both Runcorn and Widnes.
The general construction workers who have joined the team will be responsible for assisting the Merseylink team across a range of construction-related activities, including:
- clearance of designated areas in preparation for planned roadworks
- upgrading key road junctions such as the M56 Junction12
- site investigations, ground works and demolition works
- construction of the temporary trestle bridge across the Mersey
- building an access road on the north side of the river
- managing stock and site equipment in the stores.
Stephen Cardwell, Project Director of Merseylink, said: “The Mersey Gateway will be one of Europe’s largest civil engineering projects over the next three-and-a-half years, and it’s crucial that we have a strong team of highly skilled and motivated staff to see the project through to completion.
“As construction activity progresses will be recruiting many more people to work with us on this iconic bridge project. We are encouraging experienced local people to take up the opportunities on offer and apply to join us in the Merseylink team.”
Construction worker, Chris Moore from Runcorn, said: “I was born and bred in Runcorn and can remember the last bridge being built when I was a boy. I applied for this job as I thought it was a great opportunity to work on such a historic local project.”
His new colleague Simon Holker, from St Helens, said: “My grand-dad built the old Runcorn Bridge, so it was important to me to be able to work on the new bridge. It’s something to be proud of. Starting work at the beginning of the project means I’ll get to see the construction as it progresses.”
Cllr Rob Polhill, Leader of Halton Borough Council and Chair of the Mersey Gateway Crossings Board, said: “It’s good to see local people getting opportunities through the Mersey Gateway construction work. The new bridge will bring all sorts of benefits to Halton and the surrounding area, but job creation and work opportunities are among the most important.”
The cable stay bridge, which will provide a major new strategic transport route in the North West of England, will be completed in 2017.
The economic, transport and social benefits that the project will bring to the region include:
- 470 permanent full-time equivalent jobs on site during construction
- 4,640 permanent direct and indirect jobs
- £61.9 million a year in Gross Value Added from the new jobs by 2030.
