DE delivers RAF accommodation improvements ahead of schedule
4 Jan 10
Defence Estates (DE) delivered an early Christmas present to RAF personnel stationed in Cambridgeshire by completing the refurbishment of a Single Living Accommodation (SLA) block at RAF Wittering three weeks earlier than originally planned.
Handover of Whirlwind Block Single Living Accommodation at RAF Wittering
[Picture: MOD Crown Copyright 2010]
Beaufighter Block provides 53 improved bed-spaces complete with new furniture, fixtures and fittings. The block also has modernised communal kitchens, showers and toilet facilities. It is the second SLA block at Wittering to be upgraded in the past few months, following the 28-bed ‘Whirlwind’ block which DE handed over to the base in September.
The work on both blocks was completed by Babcock Dyncorp a DE Industry Partner working together with local contractors. It is part of a wider project to update RAF accommodation, which will see DE modernise 301 SLA bedspaces at Wittering and RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire by March 2010.
This project is one of many to benefit from the Advance Capital Expenditure (ACE) initiative announced by the Treasury in June, which has injected £50 million into Ministry of Defence (MOD) spending on military accommodation this year.
Gary Ward of Defence Estates said:
"Supporting our Armed Forces is the top priority for DE and this refurbishment work is an excellent example of that."
"In order to continually improve the quality and design layout of the blocks, we are gathering feedback from the new occupants. The response to the new blocks has been very positive and we are considering suggestions for further improvements, for inclusion within the ongoing programme.
"Supporting our Armed Forces is the top priority for DE and this refurbishment work is an excellent example of that."
Gary Ward of Defence Estates
"We are now conducting design stage work for the ‘next wave’ of this improvement programme with plans to commence physical works at RAF Cranwell, RAF Waddington and RAF Henlow in the next financial year (FY 10/11), subject to finance availability. We are committed to delivering value for money and to ensuring that our armed forces get the accommodation they deserve."
Wing Commander Roger Simon, Officer Commanding Support Wing, from RAF Wittering, added:
"This initiative has allowed the refurbishment of four of the Station’s poorest barrack blocks which will go some way to improving the overall quality of the accommodation here at Wittering and in so doing provide a standard of accommodation to which our personnel are entitled and which they increasingly expect. Collaboration between all stakeholders (the Station, DE and the contractors) has been first class and this has seen the work on the first two blocks completed ahead of schedule."
By 2020 the Department aims to have upgraded 70% of SLA, to the top standard for condition. Since 2003, 38,000 new or improved SLA bed-spaces have been delivered with, subject to funding, a further 19,000 planned by 2013. Defence Estates has also allocated an additional £10 million for further minor SLA improvements this year (FY 2009/10). Worldwide the MOD is responsible for 155,000 SLA bed-spaces.