Contractors clash at Heathrow East

Plans for BAA’s £1.5bn Heathrow East terminal are being threatened by a breakdown in communications between main contractors Laing O’Rourke and Ferrovial.

A source close to the project told Building magazine that it was “virtually impossible” for Terminal 2a to be built before the revise 2013 completion date. Although the architect Vidal Arquitectos is co-ordinating the design from Spain, disagreements between the contractors has slowed down progress.

It is understood that airport operator BAA has been reluctant to intercede between the two because it is owned by Ferrovial. Another source claimed the contractors had clashed over the best way to build the design. “The problem Laing O’Rourke has is that when it doesn’t do what Ferrovial wants, then Ferrovial pulls rank,” he said.

Heathrow East was intended to be completed in time for the London Olympics, but earlier this year BAA said it would miss that date.