Work by Morgan Sindall on the re-development of Old Trafford Cricket Ground is moving forward at a rapid rate, with the installation of the first seats on the club's new grandstands.

The construction, infrastructure and design company, which secured the £12.3 million contract to deliver the scheme from Lancashire County Cricket Club (LCCC), is building two new grandstands with a combined capacity of more than 7,000 seats and a state-of-the-art four-storey player and media centre.

Ground-clearing work has been completed and the club’s distinctive red cladding has begun to be put in place above the stands. The installation of structural glazing on the development has also started.

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The first phases of the development will be complete in the summer of 2012, in good time for the return of The Ashes to the Old Trafford Ground in 2013.

This is Morgan Sindall's second project for LCCC, following completion of the £12 million conference and events venue, The Point, which opened last year.

Jim Morgan, area director for Morgan Sindall, said: "We are proud to be constructing this first-class facility, which will be enjoyed by legions of fans and some of the world’s finest cricketers. This project reflects our breadth of experience in the sport and leisure sector, as well as our longstanding relationship with the Club.

"This job presents some interesting challenges, particularly as we can only access one of the new stands from one particular end of the site. We’ve developed a very tight schedule of works to maximise the time available and minimise disruption for visitors to the ground."

The contract is part of the Club’s total £43 million investment in new facilities as well as an extension to the ground’s indoor cricket school and public areas. The development also includes a Tesco food store, which will occupy land nearby, and will bring investment of at least £70 million and over 500 jobs into Trafford.

(CD/GK)