Council responds to new legionella delays at Worthing Integrated Care Centre

Worthing Borough Council has confirmed that further traces of legionella bacteria have been found in the water system at the Worthing Integrated Care Centre, causing additional delays to the long-running project and increasing its total cost to almost £49 million.

The council said independent testing identified traces of legionella in the building’s water system two months after contractor Galliford Try reported that all traces of the bacteria had been eradicated. The contractor had spent several months carrying out remedial work, including installing new equipment and introducing revised water management procedures. Although the building is substantially complete, the council said it will not accept handover of the water system until it can be demonstrated to be fully safe and suitable for NHS occupation.

A report due to be considered by the joint strategic committee next week recommends increasing the project budget by just over £2.4 million, taking the total to £48.945 million. The council said it continues to consider all available legal remedies to recover costs associated with delays and construction issues. Construction of the Stoke Abbott Road facility began in March 2022 with an original budget of just under £34 million and an expected completion date of December 2023. The committee will also be asked to approve the appointment of additional legal and consultancy support to help complete the project and pursue cost recovery.