Work starts on new accommodation for Army medics
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has started work on new en-suite single living accommodation for Army medics at Keogh Barracks in Ash Vale, Surrey.
The £3.9 million project is being carried out in partnership with modular construction specialists, Rollalong, and is planned to complete in summer next year.
Once finished, the 70-bed facility will conclude the modernisation of junior ranks accommodation at the barracks. It follows recent works to convert existing accommodation from multi-occupancy rooms to single rooms.
It’s part of a wider £50 million redevelopment project to enhance the barracks over 4 years for its new occupants.
4 Armoured Medical Regiment (4AMR) relocated to the site earlier this year from nearby Normandy Barracks in Aldershot, and 22 Field Hospital and Ministry of Defence Hospital Unit (Frimley Park) are scheduled to move to Keogh Barracks from next year, following further refurbishment and new buildings.
Mark Lancaster, Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans, said: “This new facility will provide our Service personnel with the modern fit-for-purpose living accommodation they deserve and it’s a great example of how we’re continuing to invest in infrastructure across the estate.”
Major Rob O’Brien, Quartermaster 4AMR, said: “We will be able to accommodate all junior ranks in modern rooms within the barracks when this building comes on line. DIO has already impressed us with the successful delivery of single room conversions of the existing junior ranks accommodation and we look forward to receiving the keys to this new building next summer.”
George Liu, DIO Project Manager, said: “I am pleased to be able to further improve the living conditions for soldiers and medics based at the barracks. This is another step towards the Army Basing Programme providing fit-for-purpose facilities at Keogh Barracks as part of our redevelopment of the site.”
Over £30 million of remaining major works will follow with procurement starting shortly to provide a new Sergeants’ Mess, stores, vehicle workshops and an armoury.
The redevelopment of Keogh Barracks is part of the Army Basing Programme (ABP), which is providing the facilities the Army needs to live, work and train in the UK as it returns from Germany, rebases across the UK and restructures under Army 2020. This year more than 5,000 Service personnel have returned to the UK from Germany and 1,800 have relocated within the UK as part of the programme.
The DIO is continually investing in single living accommodation across the Defence estate. Improvement programmes have provided more than 50,000 new and refurbished bed spaces for Service personnel in the last 10 years and the ABP will provide more than 5,000 further new and refurbished bed spaces.
ENDS
Press enquiries to Helen Pickering, Assistant Communications Officer 0121 311 2413 or email helen.pickering101@mod.uk
DIO website: www.gov.uk/dio
Twitter: @mod_dio
Read DIO’s blog: https://insidedio.blog.gov.uk/
Notes to Editors
1) The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) plays a vital role in supporting our Armed Forces by building, maintaining and servicing what the men and women who serve our country need to live, work, train and deploy on operations.
2) DIO is part of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). It is responsible for managing and maintaining land and properties, as well as providing related support services, to meet the current and future needs of the MOD and personnel at home and abroad, and to support current operations.
3) Photo captions: New Junior Ranks accommodation being built at Keogh Barracks, Crown Copyright MOD 2015
4 Armoured Medical Regiment recently relocated to Keogh Barracks, Nicole Herlihy, Crown Copyright 2015
Existing Junior Ranks Accommodation recently reconfigured from multi-occupancy rooms into single rooms for 4 Armoured Medical Regiment, Nicole Herlihy, Crown Copyright 2015
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