The project, which is due for completion in early 2024, is being delivered by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and its industry partners on behalf of the British Army.
The scope of works for 2 Military Intelligence Battalion (2 MI Bn) includes reconfiguration of the Junior Rank's mess and refurbishment of the Battalion Headquarters offices, with the majority of the works involving the refurbishment of a historic hangar to provide Light Aid Detachment workshops and Quarter Master storage. The workshop facilitates maintenance support to the Battalion fleet of vehicles.
2 MI Bn is a regular unit under the operational command of Field Army Troops and has a unique role. Using forensic technical capabilities such as biometrics and fingerprinting, soldiers and officers provide commanders with effective intelligence that supports decision making.
The project will enable the Battalion to grow at Upavon by providing the environment to support their training and work to efficiently deliver military capability and enable operational success. The refurbishment work at Upavon will provide an enhanced environment for personnel to live, work and train and is the start of a series of improvement works to the site.
Representatives from DIO, Army Basing and Infrastructure, AECOM and Kier pictured at Trenchard Lines (Copyright Kier)
Warren Webster, DIO's Major Programmes and Projects (MPP) Programme Director (Army), was joined by members of the DIO project team, contractor, Kier, and members of the technical service provider, AECOM, to mark the beginning of the construction work.
Brigadier Richard Brown, Army Basing Infra Head said:
The works here at Trenchard Lines, Upavon will ensure that 2 MI Bn's soldiers can live, work and train in an environment which enables them to perform at their best.
Despite challenges such as the pandemic, inflation and the sad events in Ukraine, our staff have been outstanding in keeping to the timelines for this project.
The team has included staff from Army HQ Basing and Infrastructure, Defence Infrastructure Organisation, the Technical Support Provider AECOM and Kier, the contractor, many inevitably working remotely across the UK.
Collaboratively they have developed the designs and got us to where we are today at this ground-breaking event. This is yet another example of our commitment to improve the Army Estate by investing in critical infrastructure.
Warren Webster, DIO MPP Programme Director (Army) said:
I'm extremely proud to be able to mark this important milestone with the British Army, Kier and our technical service provider, AECOM, as we break ground on this major project.
The new and improved facilities here at Upavon will rejuvenate the site and provide an enhanced environment for personnel to live, work and train.
The construction work will be carried out by Kier. The building works involve the refurbishment of existing military infrastructure and buildings to support future military capability, as well as improving sustainability in terms of energy performance.
Hangar 186, a 1938 aircraft hangar of historic interest will be remodelled to form a vehicle workshop for the repair and maintenance of various battalion vehicles. The existing armoury and ammunition store will be extended and remodelled, as will the office headquarters, bringing it up to the current Battalion requirements. The mess and canteen space will also be remodelled.
David Snell, Director, Kier Construction Western & Wales, said:
It's great to be on site to celebrate the start of building works. We're proud to be part of this important transformation project on behalf of the Army and DIO, further building on our experience of delivering projects for the Ministry of Defence and working in support of our armed services community.
During the project, we will look to offer short work placements to local service leavers, continuing our strong affiliation with Buildforce, supporting those who are considering careers in the construction sector.
