Shepherd takes on new contract at York campus

The firm is already on-site at the Heslington Campus, with a 14m project to refurbish and modernise the JB Morrell Library for the university's 12,500 students.

The new contract, which is due to start on-site on University Road later this month, will refurbish the existing three-storey building, converting it into a modern learning and research facility called the Harry Fairhurst Library, and provide a ground floor link to the adjacent JB Morrell Library. The project is expected to be completed by April 2011.

Meanwhile, work on the main library refurbishment is progressing well with Shepherd Construction currently working on the third storey, having already completed the second floor.

Colin Sargeant, Shepherd Construction's managing director for the east

division, said: "It is great to have secured a further project with the university on the back of our current work at the library, and having completed the development at Goodricke College last year.

"We look forward to continuing the relationship with the university which has already spanned several decades."

Elizabeth Heaps, the university's pro-vice-chancellor for states and strategic projects, added: "We are very pleased that we are able to work with a York-based company and support the local construction industry."