Robertson Civil Engineering has this week completed a £3.5 million project to enable construction of Scotland’s only Life Science Enterprise Area.

The infrastructure firm started work on the 123 acre Irvine Bay Strategic Investment project – located on Scotland’s North Ayrshire Coast – in February 2015. Since then the expert team has worked around the clock to see the development meet its November handover deadline.

Managing director Tony Fry, who led the project, said: “Irvine Bay Regeneration Company has taken a lead role in making North Ayrshire a sustainable business location.

“Key to its future success is for the Irvine Bay team to make a smooth handover to North Ayrshire Council in March 2017. I’m confident our work here will help them do that. We’re very proud to have been invited to be part of this project and look forward to seeing what it will become when life science businesses take up residence here in the near future.”

Irvine Bay, which represents one the UK’s largest strategic investment sites, appointed Robertson through the SCAPE Framework. Their requirement was for the civil engineering company to construct the primary infrastructure to enable the greenfield site to realise its potential.

Working closely with the design consultants and stakeholders at a very early stage in the project lifecycle, and collaboratively with the client, the Robertson team came up with a winning concept. Developing this strategy, Robertson was able to deliver a bespoke project within a very short-time frame.

After their design won favour, Robertson’s site team undertook substantial engineering works, which saw them construct carriageways, roundabouts, footpaths, drainage, street lighting and much more infrastructure. The majority of the project spend focused on local employment and businesses.

Patrick Wiggans, CEO of Irvine Bay Regeneration, said: “In its new and improved state, we hope to attract businesses in key life science areas such as medical technologies and pharma services.

“We support the Scottish Government’s Life Sciences Scotland 2020 vision and believe Irvine Bay is the perfect bolthole for the industry to thrive in good company. Companies already residing here range from start-ups to global multinationals, so anyone wishing to bring their business here will be in good company.”