Construction of the multi-million pound Fairwater Campus education facility in Cardiff may face a delay until 2027 after the contractor went bankrupt. The project, valued at £108m, was halted following the administration of ISG Construction Ltd in September. Cardiff Council, which was overseeing the construction, is now working on a plan to resume work as soon as possible. The initial timeline for completion was autumn 2026, but due to the recent developments, the completion date has been pushed back to 2027.
In a statement issued by Cardiff Council, it was revealed that efforts are underway to transition the existing contracts from ISG Construction Ltd to a subcontractor to keep the project moving forward. The council plans to hold a full tender process to appoint a new contractor to take over the entire project and oversee its completion. The tender process is expected to begin in early November, with the aim of having a new contractor in place by March 2025 to resume full-scale construction.
The Fairwater Campus development is crucial to providing high-quality educational facilities for Cantonian High School, Riverbank School, and Woodlands High School. The project is a joint initiative between Cardiff Council and the Welsh Government. As part of the efforts to mitigate delays and ensure continuity of work, the council aims to retain the existing ISG site team on a short-term basis and maintain communication with the supply chain and administrators.
Despite the challenges posed by the contractor’s bankruptcy, Cardiff Council remains committed to completing the Fairwater Campus project to benefit the local community. The new facilities are intended to offer modern educational environments for students from the participating schools. By navigating the complexities of transitioning contracts and appointing a new contractor, the council aims to resume construction and achieve final handover by 2027.
The council is focused on minimizing disruption and preserving the progress made on the Fairwater Campus development. Through strategic actions such as retaining key personnel and facilitating the transition of contracts, Cardiff Council is working towards ensuring the successful completion of this important educational facility in Cardiff.