Kier Construction was a £683.8m contract by the Scottish government earlier this year to build a replacement for Scotland’s largest prison, the 143-year-old HMP Barlinnie.
HMP Glasgow will have a capacity of 1344 and will be completed in 2028. Kier has been on site since October 2023 carrying out early works to remediate the complex brownfield site, which once housed a gas works, for the main construction process.
Roger Bullivant Limited (RBL) has been involved in the development of the piled foundation scheme since summer 2022, working closely with Kier and project engineer Curtins to develop a solution tailored to the site’s complex ground conditions.
Following preliminary testing in early 2025, RBL delivered an advanced works package of nearly 700 driven precast concrete piles between March and April.
The main works, comprising approximately 4,000 additional piles, began in July 2025. Â At peak, up to four piling rigs will be operating simultaneously on site.
The piles, ranging in depth from six to 16 metres, were selected for their versatility, speed of installation and sustainability benefits. They were cast off-site at RBL’s Walton Park headquarters in Derbyshire.
Roger Bullivant Scotland area manager Gavin Hay said: “This is a flagship project for the business and a testament to the value of early contractor involvement. Our long-standing experience in the region, combined with rigorous testing and collaboration with Kier, has enabled us to deliver a robust foundation solution for one of the most important public sector developments in recent years.â€
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