ROGER Bullivant Limited (RBL) has been appointed by Kier Construction to deliver a piling solution on the new £1 billion HMP Glasgow.
Replacing HMP Barlinnie, the new prison will have capacity for 1,344 prisoners once completed in 2028 and is being developed on a brownfield site in the north of the city.
RBL has been involved in the development of the piled foundation scheme since summer 2022, working closely with Kier Construction and project engineer Curtins to develop a solution tailored to the site’s complex ground conditions.
Following successful 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. At peak, up to four piling rigs will be operating simultaneously on site.
The piles, ranging in depth from 6 to 16 metres, were said to be selected for their versatility, speed of installation, and sustainability benefits. Manufactured off-site at RBL’s Derbyshire HQ, precast piles aim to reduce waste, minimise site disruption, and offer a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional cast-in-situ methods.
Gavin Hay, Scotland area manager at RBL, 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.”
