A £110m project to build three new schools in Cardiff has been thrown into doubt just seven months after work started. Cardiff Council said ISG Construction Ltd, chosen as the main contractor for the Fairwater Community Campus project, has filed for administration.

The scheme, which has been years in the planning, is the largest in scale and investment of Cardiff’s education developments, part-funded by the Welsh Government. It includes building three new-build schools for Cantonian High School, Riverbank School and Woodlands High School, all situated on one site in Fairwater.

The scheme, delivered under Cardiff council and Welsh Government's sustainable communities for learning programme, was approved by Cardiff council's cabinet in September 2020. The contract was awarded in March 2023 and building work started in February this year after a cutting ceremony headed by then First Minister Mark Drakeford. For the latest Cardiff news, sign up to our newsletter here

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It has been reported that thousands of construction industry jobs are now at risk with ISG, which also builds prisons and police stations, going into administration. Construction industry sources said Whitehall Government officials are monitoring the crisis at ISG, which could be the biggest casualty in the sector since Carillion collapsed in 2018.

In a statement Cardiff Council said: “Cardiff Council has been informed that ISG Construction Ltd, the main contractor for the Fairwater Community Campus project, has filed for administration,” adding: “The council wants to assure everyone that it is actively working to minimise disruption to the project. This includes immediate and ongoing work to resolve the contractual situation so that the Council’s interests are protected.”

Local councillor Neil McEvoy said he was horrified at the news ISG had gone into administration and dubbed the scheme “shambolic from the start”. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter. Cllr McEvoy fears there will now be a “huge delay and extra cost” when pupils deserve better schools. He said the construction site has been a “huge inconvenience” to the local community.

He said: “The whole project has been a shambles and it is an over development. I have asked the council to justify awarding the contract to ISG and want to know what due diligence was carried out.

“There will clearly now be a huge delay and extra cost. An enormous amount of money will have been wasted - this has gone on for years in the planning. The disruption to education for pupils is enormous. They deserve new schools and I also cannot overstate the disruption to local residents.”

It was only in February that the then First Minister Mark Drakeford, Cardiff Council leader Cllr Huw Thomas and deputy leader and cabinet member for education, Cllr Sarah Merry, cut the ground in a ceremony starting work at the Fairwater Campus. At that event Mr Drakeford said: “I’m really pleased the Welsh Government has been able to support the new development, through our Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, and I look forward to visiting again once the campus is complete.”

Richard Skone, regional director for ISG’s Construction business in Wales said at the ceremony: “This venture holds significance for the local community, Cardiff, and Wales overall. The focus on Net Zero premises aligns with the increasing importance of sustainable solutions in schools to combat climate change.

“The targets set by Cardiff council and the Welsh Government resonate with ISG’s commitment, emphasizing the importance of strong collaboration in achieving these shared goals.”

The new campus was to have included:

Replacing the Cantonian High School buildings with new-build accommodation on the same site expanding the school from six forms of entry (6FE) to eight forms of entry (8FE) with sixth form provision for up to 250 pupils.

Expanding the specialist resource base (SRB) for learners with an autism, hosted at Cantonian High School to 30 places in purpose built accommodation in the new school buildings.

Relocating Woodlands High School to the Fairwater Campus site from its current site adjacent to Trelai Park and increasing the capacity to 240 places in new build accommodation.

Relocating Riverbank School to the Fairwater Campus site from its current site adjacent to Trelai Park and increasing the capacity to 112 places in new build accommodation.

Work was scheduled to be completed by Autumn 2026 with works on Cantonian High School completing by the end of 2025

Cardiff Council’s full statement on ISG going into administration:

“Cardiff Council has been informed that ISG Construction Ltd, the main contractor for the Fairwater Community Campus project, has filed for administration.

“The scheme includes the construction of three new-build schools for Cantonian High School, Riverbank School and Woodlands High School, all situated on the single site in Fairwater. The council wants to assure everyone that it is actively working to minimise disruption to the project. This includes immediate and ongoing work to resolve the contractual situation so that the Council’s interests are protected.

“Our immediate priority is to ensure that the site of the project remains safe and secure and we will work to ensure sub-contractors get paid for the work they have completed to date. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate this situation. Cardiff Council remains dedicated to delivering the Fairwater Community Campus and is committed to keeping the public informed. “We will provide updates as more information becomes available.”

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