Turner & Townsend to Manage Construction of New Co-Located Markets

A new site is set to become the future home of Billingsgate, New Spitalfields and Smithfield Markets as part of the City Corporation's'Market Co-Location Programme.

Turner & Townsend will'project manage the construction of the wholesale market facility in Dagenham Dock.

The City Corporation was awarded'outline planning approval'by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham in March for the plans which would co-locate the three historic markets together for the first time. The concept design for the site will be progressed in September.

Dagenham Dock has been chosen as the only viable site to secure the long-term futures of the markets, helping to reduce unsustainable levels of traffic congestion in central London, improve the capital's air quality and free up the existing sites for new homes.

Turner & Townsend have been tasked with defining the requirements for pre-construction services (including enabling works, surveying and testing of the site and substructures), the management of the construction of three new markets and their ancillary buildings, and managing the highways and public realm works to meet planning obligations.

Policy Chair at the City of London Corporation, Catherine McGuinness, said:

'The Market Co-Location Programme is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create one of Europe's largest wholesale market destinations. It has the potential to deliver thousands of jobs, training opportunities, millions of pounds to the local economy and billions of pounds to the national economy."

Director Steve Perkins added: "Market developments are complex and multi-faceted, requiring a full understanding of tenants' businesses and fresh produce'logistics, site operations,'health and safety, and customer experience. We are looking forward to working with the City of London Corporation, its tenants, and its partners, as well as the new community in Barking, to deliver an exemplar facility reflecting the critical role the traders of Billingsgate, New Spitalfields and Smithfield play in supplying the capital's fresh produce market.

"We have significant experience working with Covent Garden Market Authority and Birmingham City Council in the delivery of their new wholesale market facilities, and our team will work in close collaboration with the City Corporation as they develop and refine their proposals, setting this incredible programme up for success.'

Source: This Week in FM