As the World Cup kicks off in the beautiful (and completed) arenas of Japan and South Korea, our attention is again on England鈥檚 beautiful (but unstarted) stadium in Wembley. Three consultants鈥� reports presented to MPs last week cast new light on the cost of the troubled project and the controversial way Multiplex was chosen as contractor.

As far as the tendering was concerned, one might argue that it鈥檚 a bit like dredging up the question of whether England鈥檚 third goal in 1966 was over the line. The fact remains, though, that Wembley did not follow best practice. When it invited bids, contractors such as Mowlem pulled out because they could not meet its requirements. But then neither could the Bovis-Multiplex joint venture that Wembley appointed. Project manager Tropus says the contract ought to be retendered, although David James 鈥� a second consultant 鈥� argues that this is unfeasible as it would delay construction for another year. Now it鈥檚 over to the National Audit Office.

One of the difficulties with Wembley is whether it is public or private. The way Wembley plumped for the non-compliant team is not uncommon in the private sector. And although the public purse is donating 拢140m for land and infrastructure, it鈥檚 not paying for the construction. However, the intervention of successive secretaries of state 鈥� usually with disastrous consequences 鈥� has given the impression that Wembley is very much a public enterprise. After all, this is our national stadium, so whatever the financial arrangements, the highest standards must apply.

Another area of confusion is cost. Almost everyone has a different estimate. Our figure is around 拢410m 鈥� some 拢83.5m more than the previously quoted sum. However, the numbers are given a conditional endorsement by Cyril Sweett. So, despite its history, the Wembley project is now in good shape. There is new management under Mike Jeffries, a stunning Foster design, and 鈥� whatever you think about the way it was chosen 鈥� a contractor with a robust track-record. Doubts remain over whether banker West LB will hand over the money after the recent revelations, but let鈥檚 hope so. After everything, can we please just get on and build the damn thing?

The men who make things
鈥溾�� Course, technology鈥檚 revolutionising everything, innit? If you listen to what Falconer says about prefabs for nurses, you can see everything鈥檚 going to be made in factories. That Egan was right: it鈥檚 all going to be like the car industry. Stands to reason, dunnit? Every building in Britain鈥檒l end up looking the same, granted, but what鈥檚 the alternative? We just haven鈥檛 got the labour to carry on as we are. Besides, youngsters want to work with computers, don鈥檛 they? They鈥檒l all have these high-res screens attached to their hats so the architect can send them changes through the internet. Sounds a bit like Star Trek, but that鈥檚 progress, innit? By the way, you got the number of a good craftsman? I鈥檝e got this thatched cottage near Newmarket and the roof鈥檚 in a terrible two-and-eight. All the locals guys are booked up until September and I鈥檝e only got a month to get it done 鈥︹��

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