RADAR Back On Track
Following confirmation from the landlord that the preferred site at Sydenham Road had been let to another bidder, the project team moved swiftly to identify and evaluate a number of potential replacement sites with the assistance of colleagues from the Estates Services Business Unit (ESBU). A recommendation was placed before the project board and subsequently approved which has provided a renewed focus for the design team who have now developed a revised scenario floor plan for the new location.
Commenting on the current position, the Project Manager Mr P Bardon confirmed that the new site, which is situated on the Heron Road in Belfast, is approximately 3 miles from the previous location. Mr Bardon also confirmed that following a series of successful discussions with key stakeholders, a number of issues have been resolved and the Outline Business Case has now been formally approved and funding identified adding that whilst the loss of the Sydenham Road site was very disappointing and somewhat unexpected, the design team hope to be able to minimise the impact by adapting a large proportion of the existing scenario design scheme requirements and reusing them within the footprint of the new site. Barring any further unforeseen incidents, the project manager stated that they hope to have completed the tender and evaluation process by December 2012 adding that it is anticipated that building work will start on site early in 2013.
Commenting on the current position, the Project Manager Mr P Bardon confirmed that the new site, which is situated on the Heron Road in Belfast, is approximately 3 miles from the previous location. Mr Bardon also confirmed that following a series of successful discussions with key stakeholders, a number of issues have been resolved and the Outline Business Case has now been formally approved and funding identified adding that whilst the loss of the Sydenham Road site was very disappointing and somewhat unexpected, the design team hope to be able to minimise the impact by adapting a large proportion of the existing scenario design scheme requirements and reusing them within the footprint of the new site. Barring any further unforeseen incidents, the project manager stated that they hope to have completed the tender and evaluation process by December 2012 adding that it is anticipated that building work will start on site early in 2013.
Comments
Unwelcome setback for RADAR
The RADAR NI Project Board has been informed by the Agents for their preferred site at Sydenham Road that another prospective tenant has put an offer to the Landlord which has been accepted. RADAR is a new safety centre which is planned for Northern Ireland in 2013/14.
The Project Team along with the Design Team have initiated a search for potential new sites that will not only fulfil the necessary criteria but may also require limited changes to the original scenario space.
The Team are aiming to have a shortlist of preferred site identified by the end of August 2012. This set back will impact on the project time line, with an estimated new opening target of January/February 2014.
If there are any further developments, updates will be posted at www.radarni.co.uk
The Project Team along with the Design Team have initiated a search for potential new sites that will not only fulfil the necessary criteria but may also require limited changes to the original scenario space.
The Team are aiming to have a shortlist of preferred site identified by the end of August 2012. This set back will impact on the project time line, with an estimated new opening target of January/February 2014.
If there are any further developments, updates will be posted at www.radarni.co.uk
Safety on the RADAR
A project presentation was held in the Stormont Pavilion on Wed 13th June to provide key stakeholders with an update of the progress on RADAR - Risk and Danger Awareness Resource, Northern Ireland's first safety centre.
The meeting was well supported with over 45 people drawn from a number of key NI departments, representatives from the commercial sector and key stakeholders from the voluntary and community organisations. The Project Manager in his opening address highlighted the opportunity that the project presents “for the public sector to work in collaboration and partnership with the private and community sectors to make a real difference to the health, wellbeing and expectations of children and young people right across the province”.
The presentation was well received with messages of support received from a broad range of stakeholders. Issues around both the funding and overall governance of the project were discussed during an open discussion forum which stimulated a lively debate. Going forward, a number of presentations to key Ministers and their Permanent Secretaries have been secured and it is anticipated that these will further raise the profile of the project and help resolve the current issues.
The presentation was well received with messages of support received from a broad range of stakeholders. Issues around both the funding and overall governance of the project were discussed during an open discussion forum which stimulated a lively debate. Going forward, a number of presentations to key Ministers and their Permanent Secretaries have been secured and it is anticipated that these will further raise the profile of the project and help resolve the current issues.
Various plans and a video flythrough can be viewed on the RADAR website.
On the RADAR
RADAR (Risk Avoidance & Danger Awareness Resource), which is to be located in the Greater Belfast area, will provide a broad range of highly interactive safety focused educational experiences to young people from schools and youth groups from across Northern Ireland.
Representatives from a number of Northern Ireland government departments, private sector service providers and voluntary sector organisations have formed the Northern Ireland Safety & Lifeskills Education Centre (NISLEC) Partnership, to develop this innovative approach to improving the health and wellbeing of children and young people across Northern Ireland.
The RADAR facility will feature a series of lifelike, interactive installations that will illustrate dangerous situations and scenarios within a controlled and risk free environment, giving participants the opportunity to learn how to prevent, avoid or manage everyday hazards safely.
Speaking about the Project at the start of Road Safety week, Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable, Matt Baggott said: “The Police Service of Northern Ireland is pleased to support this latest safety initiative aimed at reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries across Northern Ireland, irrespective of the cause.
“Figures indicate that there were around 731,000 attendances at Accident and Emergency facilities in Northern Ireland last year. Many of these were as the result of avoidable or preventable incidents, costing the health service an estimated £435 million. During the same period, 1,666 children (5-15yr olds) were admitted to hospital in Northern Ireland as the result of an accident in the home, costing the Health Service approx £3.8 million.
“In partnership with Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, Department of the Environment and other key government departments, the PSNI have taken a lead position in driving this very worthwhile project forward.”
Peter Craig, Chief Fire Officer, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service (NIFRS) added his support to the project saying: “Early intervention and education about safety issues will help the younger generation make smarter choices to keep them safe. In NIFRS we have a number of successful initiatives working with children and young people to educate them about the dangers of fire, road traffic collisions and other types of rescue situations and we know that the lessons young people learn early in life stay with them into adulthood.
“A dedicated Safety Centre that all the Emergency Services can use will enable us to deliver valuable safety messages in a shared venue for the benefit of our community.”
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service Chief Executive Liam Mc Ivor added his support for the initiative, saying: “Much of the operational activity of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) involves responding to emergency calls following incidents that could have been avoided had dangers been recognized at an earlier stage.
“NIAS welcomes any initiative aimed at improving the skills of hazard recognition among the young people within our community.
Illustrating, in a safe environment, these dangers, and their potential outcomes, will, we believe, bring about a reduction in the number of incidents involving young people and improve overall safety within the community.”
For more information on the RADAR Centre, contact the Northern Ireland Safety & Lifeskills Education Centre (NISLEC) Partnership on 02890 901013
From Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service