Workers struggle to get Britomart station finished

By BERNARD ORSMAN

Bad weather and labour shortages are being blamed for the $211 million Britomart project dragging on months after the original completion date.

Three months after the new Britomart rail station opened for business, workmen are still scrambling to complete the job.

Queen Elizabeth Square is the most visible worksite, with the glass-covered canopy and paving held up by bad weather.

The Chief Post Office and glasshouse behind it are nearly finished, as is the underground walkway leading to the square.

Britomart project director Grant Kirby, who two months ago said everything would be finished by the end of September, said bad weather and a shortage of tradesmen meant the timetable could not be met.

High winds made fixing the 200kg sheets of glass for the canopy impossible and laying basalt pavers stopped every time it rained because it involved an epoxy resin that could set only in dry conditions, he said.

Project manager Eric Hennephof said subcontractors being paid on a square-metre basis had been getting frustrated and leaving the Britomart site for other jobs where they knew they would get paid.

Mr Kirby hoped the project would be complete at the end of this month, but that depended on the weather and the ability of the contractor, Downer, to keep tradesmen on the job.

The discovery in May last year of deadly white asbestos in the Chief Post Office was a big setback for Downer finishing Britomart by the original completion date of July.

Meanwhile, nine retail outlets, including a cafe, florist and dry cleaner, are due to start opening in the Chief Post Office building from the middle of next month.