Quantum Leap in Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council procured the Quantum Leap project including the design team and contractor. All plans had been developed and work had commenced well in advance of the devolution of the former authority in 2009.
During its construction a number of difficulties relating to the costs and timescales of the project were experienced.
The project itself was incredibly complex – the structure is a nine metre arch at its highest point with no straight lines or right angles. Its 31 pre-fabricated concrete ribs each weigh three tonnes and its construction had to overcome a number of constraints associated with the town centre riverside site, including environmental, archaeological, arboriculture and conservation issues.
During the summer of 2009, problems occurred on the alignment of the ribs which did not follow the correct trajectory to complete the arch and this had to be corrected. This caused a delay to the overall project which resulted in additional costs being incurred.
The project was completed in March 2010 and since this time there has been disagreement between the contractor and the contract administrator regarding the causes of these difficulties.
As neither side could agree, this was eventually considered by an independent adjudicator who, on 9 July 2011, stated that the delays and additional costs incurred while the structure was being built were due to an inadequate design specification and that Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council was ultimately liable. Shropshire Council has inherited the liability and we are now are responsible for the costs. The total additional amounts to be paid to the contractor are £410,000. The cost of professional expert advice and legal fees in taking the case to adjudication was £115,000.
Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health and well-being, said:
“We are extremely disappointed by the adjudicator’s decision, especially as the design specification was developed prior to Shropshire Council coming into being. However, we have to accept this decision.
“This was an extremely complex build and at the time when the problems occurred, we couldn’t leave the structure as it was. Therefore, we were left with no choice but to see the project through to completion and correct the problem.
“This additional payment will be paid for as a one-off cost from our existing capital budget. The Council is currently considering its options regarding further actions to recover monies from other related parties.”
Last year the Quantum Leap, alongside other tourist attractions in the town, contributed over £137 million to the county’s economy.
