Published Monday, 10th August 2020
Great progress is being made on the Council’s new cinema, retail and homes development at Marketfield Way in Redhill despite the coronavirus outbreak.
The first stage of works, to get the site ready for the main construction, is now virtually complete. Demolition of the former offices and shops on the site was completed in May and gas, water and telecommunications on site have been largely diverted. Ninety percent of the materials from the demolition are being re-used on site or recycled off site.
The Council has now entered into a building contract with VINCI Construction UK for the main construction.
With the first stage of site preparation complete, construction of the buildings has begun. Piling rigs arrived on site at the beginning of June to begin work on the building’s foundations, which will take about three months to complete. Foundations for the new cinema have already been dug and work will soon commence on the construction of a new basement for the new residential units. Work has also begun to build new electricity substation.
Jobs, training and skills opportunities
The project will bring benefits for the local economy with much needed employment, training and skills opportunities for local people, as well as for the business community through use of local subcontractors on site and in the supply chain.
Cllr Eddie Humphreys, Executive Member for Place and Economic Prosperity, said: “With our investment in this development we are pushing forward the growth of Redhill town centre, which due to the current crisis, is even more important than ever. The construction is providing hundreds of jobs, as well as lots of training and business opportunities at a time when they are really needed.
“We appreciate that while the development takes place there may be some disruption and we thank the local community for their patience while we bring forward this landmark project for Redhill.”
Community support
VINCI Construction UK Ltd are members of the Considerate Constructors Scheme which is designed to encourage best practice in construction.
VINCI’s Regional Director Jason Griffiths said: “We are delighted to be working with Reigate & Banstead Council, and their wider team, on this prestigious project in Redhill. This scheme will provide excellent accommodation and new facilities for the town to enjoy. We will play our part in delivering local employment, wider community support and considerate delivery of this scheme”.
VINCI is working in line with government guidelines for delivering construction projects as business as usual during the Covid-19 outbreak including working closely with the Council, government departments, and implementing a safe way of working to meet distancing guidelines.
The development is expected to be complete in summer 2022. When complete, the Marketfield Way scheme will provide a seven-screen cinema, shops and restaurants and 150 one- and two-bedroom homes, plus a new pedestrian route linking the High Street and Marketfield Way.
For more information, see the Marketfield Way pages.