Update on North Wales Police HQ

Working on behalf of main contractor Galliford Try, P.P. O’Connor has been carrying out the site enabling works, groundwork, concrete and drainage packages for the new £21.5 million Police Station at Wrexham. Substantial attenuation tanks and balancing ponds have be created to ensure the surface water system is compliant with the latest Environment Agency guidelines to prevent uncontrolled flooding. As part of this system a series of petrol interceptors were installed within the public car parking areas.

As well as traditional concrete foundations, the floor slab had to be specially prepared to accommodate the precast concrete structure that is to form the building envelope including the thirty two prisoner holding cells. A high quality floor finish was specified and prepared to receive the follow on construction.

The external works package included the construction of large staff and visitor’s car parking areas, including kerbing, subbase, channel drainage and flexible surfacing. Concrete prisoner exercise yards, and vehicle access bays for receiving prisoners were also constructed including brushed finish slabs. A full range of services were installed to provide new utility connections to the building, including gas, power, water and communications.

The eco-friendly station will include energy-saving features designed to reduce running costs.  When it’s open, up to 200 officers and staff will be based there at any one time. The new building will provide modern custody facilities with 32 cells to detain people arrested in Wrexham and Flintshire.  The project is on track to complete by spring 2018.

The image (below) shows the main prefabricated concrete frame of the building, which will contain 32 cells and be operated by 200 officers and staff, is now 90% complete.