Contractor named preferred bidder for Avon and Somerset police accommodation scheme

Miller Construction, in partnership with Bilfinger Berger Project Investments, has been named preferred bidder for the £129m Avon and Somerset police accommodation PFI scheme, which comprises the development of four new facilities at Portishead, Bristol Patchway, Keynsham and Bridgwater.

Miller said it anticipated commencing construction in summer 2012 with the buildings opened from 2014.The contract also includes responsibility for maintaining the buildings for 25 years.

The overall project includes a Somerset operations base which will be home to a custody and crime investigation centre, specialist operations and an enquiry office; a custody and crime investigation centre and police station in Patchway; a custody and crime investigation centre in Keynsham and a tri-force indoor firearms training centre for Avon and Somerset, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire police forces, near Portishead.

Chris Webster, Miller Construction chief executive, said: “We have a successful track record in the delivery of PPP projects across the UK where our expertise in assisting public partners to finance projects covers a variety of markets.”