Contractor is replaced 鈥檅y mutual consent鈥� with BAA after project 鈥檔ot delivered as hoped鈥�

Kier has left the 拢10m refurbishment of Heathrow Terminal 3 after failing to deliver work 鈥渁s hoped鈥�.

The firm started on the refurbishment of the baggage and immigration hall at the terminal last autumn, but it has failed to live up to expectations. Both Kier and BAA said the decision for the contractor to leave the project was made by mutual consent.

The terminal was opened in 1961, and the work is designed to bring its baggage and immigration facilities up to the same standard as Terminal 5.

The work was being carried out while the buildings were still in use.

Vinci has now been brought in to complete the project, which is due to be finished in 2011.

A source at the scheme said: 鈥淭he building was in operation as Kier was doing the work but I don鈥檛 think that affected the way it was working. It鈥檚 more about performance issues. I think that ultimately it was about BAA wanting to keep projects on schedule.鈥�

A BAA spokesperson said:

鈥淏AA and Kier mutually recognised that their work at Terminal 3 was not being delivered as we had hoped and jointly decided to end the contract on this project.

鈥淭he importance of remaining on schedule means that Vinci Construction UK is to complete the work. We hope that the work being carried out by second tier suppliers will continue as normal, and we are confident that the completion date will be successfully met.

鈥淜ier鈥檚 position as a framework supplier is unaffected.鈥�

A spokesperson for Kier echoed BAA鈥檚 words, saying the work was 鈥渘ot being delivered as we had hoped鈥� and that BAA and Kier had jointly decided to end the contract.

Kier has set up a special unit for its airport work with BAA and last year carried out an upgrade to the facade of Heathrow鈥檚 Terminal 1.

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