Lockdown improvements to facilities at the Army Training Centre in Pirbright

16 June 2020
Two Amey employees in PPE, stood in a control room.

When the British Army temporarily paused all basic training operations due to the COVID-19 lockdown, teams from Amey and the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), part of the Regional Prime South East contract, took advantage of the down-time to push through much-needed improvements works. 

Part of the improvement works at the Army Training Centre in Pirbright, involved replacing the aging and outdated boiler system in five accommodation blockswhich was scheduled to take place later in the year 

Scott Donovan, Amey’s Delivery Manager, said: With the camp being unusually quiet due to the pandemic we worked with the DIO and our trusted supply chain partners, BJF, to prioritise our work schedule and were able to bring the project forward.” 

All parties worked on a plan of action to replace the two large boilers in each of the five accommodation blocks, allowing a constant supply of hot water and removing the need for temporary boilers.  

A total of ten new boilers were installed and operational last month in readiness for the arrival of the Army training teams and the new recruits. Completing the project early has saved the Army around £45,000 in temporary boiler hire costs. 

Cathy Butler, DIO’s Estate Facilities Manager, said; “Please pass on my sincere thanks to Amey and their supply chain partners, BJF, for their hard work and commitment in getting the boilers installed prior to the recruits return. The turnaround for this task was tight and they managed to complete it comfortably and without any negative impact or disruption. Their efforts are noted and much appreciated.”