War of Words Erupts over Spa Project

[05/02/05]

A furious row broke out today over the troubled Bath Spa project after the scheme’s building contractor Mowlem accused the local council of running a smear campaign against the company.

In a statement released today, Mowlem claimed it could have the Spa open in less than six months and offered to take over the design and build of the project.

The statement read: “Mowlem is making an open offer to Bath and North East Somerset Council (BANES) to agree to wrap up a commercial deal to resolve all issues between BANES and Mowlem without any further legal spend by either party.

“We are willing to step in now and take over total responsibility for completing the Spa. Mowlem will guarantee to open the spa within six months of handover to Mowlem for a fixed price.”

The company also claimed that floor waterproofing used at the Spa was changed from a “perfectly good and workable” one to a “failed design in an attempt to save money”.

The statement continued: “Mowlem has been driven to making this announcement on a public basis due to BANES officers’ failure to respond promptly and due to a systematic smear campaign conducted by BANES behind the protection of an attempted legal gagging of Mowlem.”

Paul Crossley, leader of BANES, said: “We have been in contact with Mowlem regarding the potential of finding a way forward that will complete the project.

“It is a complex issue and needs to be carefully considered by all sides. We will do this in private, not via the press.

“This is the first time any sort of figure has been mentioned. We are as frustrated with everyone else about the problems with the Spa.”

The ambitious multi-million pound project to restore the city’s historic thermal spas for public bathing have been plagued by problems since the unveiling of the plans in 2000.

Less than a fortnight ago it emerged that the cost of the troubled Bath project would be expected to rise to almost £40 million after councillors agreed to plough a further £3.5 million into the scheme.

The total cost of the project was an estimated £33.3 million, with the new cash injection taking the amount closer to £37 million and there is still no sign of an opening date.

The project was due to open in 2002 and was initially expected to cost around £19 million.

But in April 2004 a long-running row over flaking paint on pools led the council to bring in another Dutch contractor Bovitec to restore the paint.

In September last year major leaks were discovered in the steam room floor. At the beginning of January, vandals caused more than £100,000 worth of damage after several expensive glass panels were smashed.

And three weeks ago it emerged that two more boreholes to supply the project with water would have to be built.

Once finished, the spa will be the only place in the UK where visitors can bathe in natural hot spring water.

Along with the contemporary building’s open-air rooftop pool with views across the city, the project involves the restoration of five heritage buildings.