Huge EV battery plant 'parts ways' with builders

The contractor building the UK's biggest electric vehicle (EV) battery factory has parted ways with the company behind the plant.

Sir Robert McAlpine said it had "mutually agreed to part ways" with Agratas, having "successfully completed" the first phase of the battery manufacturing facility in Somerset.

Agratas, part of the Tata Group which owns Jaguar Land Rover, said it needed a "different construction delivery model to support the next phase" and to make sure it remained on track for its planned opening late next year.

Sir Robert McAlpine promised a "smooth and orderly transition" to the new construction company TSL.

Construction of the factory on a brownfield site near Bridgwater was expected to take two years, with about 2,000 people working on site this year.

Agratas previously said an original 2026 factory opening date had been pushed back to 2027, and has now confirmed it would be late-2027.

The company said 1,500 operational jobs would be created in 2027, with 4,000 jobs on offer once it expands across the whole 616-acre site, which used to house a royal ordnance factory.

A spokesperson for Sir Robert McAlpine said: "We are immensely proud of the progress and achievements made to date and remain committed to supporting Agratas with the effective handover to the next phase."

A spokesperson for Agratas said: "Following a review of the project's requirements, we have decided to transition to a new construction partner.

"This change reflects the evolving needs of the project, positioning us to deliver the next phase with the capability and focus required to meet our objectives safely, efficiently and on schedule."

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