March 2006 - group pull out of Schools project

In March 2006 only two of the three bidders for the £100m East Dunbartonshire council's PPP school contract remained. Why?

Axiom group (Laing O'Rourke and ABN Amro)

InspirED headed by Amec

The third group Canmore, Dawn Construction, Kier and Ogilvie pulled out of the deal.

The project was expected to last until 2010 with four school being completed by 2008. With the remaining two opening two years later.

The proposal from the winning bidder (InspirED) will built all six in two years. The will use existing schools to accommodate pupils during construction. (see 'August 2008 slips to 2009?' post)

Both Bishopbriggs schools will be used, then demolished, to make way for playing fields. The High school site use has still to be announced by the council (see below "Sporting facility on Bishopbriggs High site?").

The winning bidder pays the cost of all decants.