Building work paused at West Sussex school as construction firm goes bust
The rebuilding has already been hit by multiple delays
Work to rebuild a specialist college for children with special educational needs in West Sussex has been suspended after its contractor collapsed into administration.
ISG made the majority of its 2,400 workers redundant on Friday (September 20th) and appointed joint administrators at EY.
The company had been responsible for work at Woodlands Meed College in Burgess Hill, which had already been affected by delays.
The £22 million pound project, which include adding a new dining hall and kitchen, common room, hydrotherapy pool, 12 new classrooms and two sports halls, was originally due to be completed last September.
In a statement, West Sussex County Council said it had no prior warning of the decision and was 'extremely disappointed' at the news.
A spokesperson for the authority added:
"We will be working with the college and the administrators of ISG, when appointed, to ensure the work is completed with as little disruption to pupils and staff at the college.
"Once an administrator has been appointed, we will seek to complete the works as soon as possible, which may be with another contractor.
"We are in the very early stages of dealing with this developing situation and will provide updates when we know more details.
"We want to assure the college, staff and parents that the site will remain safe and secure."
ISG is involved in 69 central government projects totalling more than £1 billion, data analysts Barbour ABI said.
This incorporates 22 projects for the Ministry of Justice, including a £300 million prison extension to the Grendon and Springhill prisons in Buckinghamshire, and £155 million worth of work to expand three prisons in other locations, the data showed.
ISG has worked on other large projects including building and refurbishments of prisons, police and fire stations, schools and offices.