A UK construction, infrastructure and design business has been awarded a £7 million contract to build Manchester Airport's new Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower.

Morgan Sindall has now started on site and the 60 metre high tower is due for completion in spring 2013. A time-lapse camera has been installed on site to chart progress throughout the build.

Located adjacent to the north fire station, the new ATC tower will house a visual control room, an approach radar section and navigation, surveillance and communication equipment to ensure ATC can effectively service the long-term investment and future growth of the airport.

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The new tower will offer 360-degree panoramic views across the entire airfield operation and replaces the cameras currently used to view the furthest end of the runway. The stand-alone, purpose-built tower will also house a new equipment centre and offices for air traffic control company NATS, which operates at Manchester Airport.

Dave Smith, Regional Managing Director for Morgan Sindall, said: "Securing the contract for the new ATC tower is testament to the expertise we’ve developed in the UK aviation sector and our ability to consistently deliver on time and to budget.

"We are working closely with Manchester Airports Group’s in-house team as well as architects CPMG and engineers URS Scott Wilson and are delighted to start on site."

NATS will manage the equipment and run the tower’s 24-hour operation while Manchester Airport will own and maintain the building. The current ATC centre, located on top of the tower block, is 40 years old and is being reviewed as part of the renovating process.

(CD)