GRAHAM Construction is starting work on a £30 million new cancer treatment centre being bought forward by Proton Partners International Ltd.
The centre forms part of the University of Reading’s wider redevelopment of The Thames Valley Science Park, which aims to create up to 5,000 jobs and provide 800,000 sq ft of laboratory and office space.
Appointed to the university’s framework in July 2015, this is the second project for GRAHAM at the Thames Valley Science Park; the first project, The Gateway Building, is due to complete next year, followed by the Proton Partners cancer treatment centre towards the end of 2017.
The centre will be the third to be built in the UK by Proton Partners and will help to meet growing demand for proton beam therapy, a specialised type of cancer treatment that is not yet available in the UK.
Two other Proton Partners centres are under construction – the first of which will be in Newport, Wales, and the second will be in Bomarsund, Northumberland.
Ivor Brown, Senior Project Manager at GRAHAM Construction, said: “This is our second project at the Thames Valley Science Park, the first being The Gateway Building, which is already on site.
“The project includes elements of off-site construction and therefore, it is vital to have a systematic management programme in place. With an extensive portfolio of healthcare projects, our experienced team is looking forward to working with Proton Partners International Ltd to achieve what will prove to be a highly rewarding project.”
Mike Moran, chief executive officer of Proton Partners, said: “We are delighted that our new centre will be built at the heart of one of the most exciting health and life sciences projects in Europe.
“Located just off the M4 corridor and with connections to Heathrow, this centre will make proton beam therapy available to patients from the South of England as well as international patients.
“We’re bringing the top cancer technology to Reading – which is true of all of our treatment centres – and this investment will not only enhance the level of cancer treatment available, but will also bring skilled jobs to the area.”
David Gillham, Executive Director of Thames Valley Science Park, said: “Thames Valley Science Park is delighted to welcome Proton Partners to its growing community of innovation lead and technology based companies at this exciting new development.
“As well as bringing new healthcare technology to the south east of the U.K. We are already exploring wider opportunities for collaboration with the University of Reading.”