A specialist Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) troop has
moved into its new home at Gamecock Barracks,
Nuneaton.
The newly-named Nuneaton EOD Troop - formerly Nottingham EOD
Troop and part of 721 EOD Squadron Royal Logistic Corps -
relocated in July from Chetwynd Barracks in Nottingham to
Gamecock Barracks. The Squadron belongs to 11 EOD and Search
Regiment, the British Army specialists responsible for the safe
handling and disposal of explosives, ensuring the safety of
civilians and military personnel, with squadrons based across the
UK.
The sale of Chetwynd Barracks forms part of the Defence Estate
Optimisation (DEO) Portfolio, which is investing £5.1 billion in
creating a Defence estate that better meets the future needs of
the Armed Forces while improving the lived experience of military
personnel. As part of this process, DEO is releasing public
sector land for alternative use, which includes supporting
government housing targets, and reinvesting the receipts back
into the Defence estate.
The newly-built EOD compound at Gamecock Barracks which consists
of an office building, garage, secure store, and a training area
has been delivered under the DEO Army Programme by the Defence
Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) contracting to VIVO, with
subcontractors Tetra Tech as designer and Henry Brothers
appointed to build the new facility.
Major General Richard Clements CBE, Director of Army Basing and
Infrastructure said:
The investment in Gamecock Barracks demonstrates how we are
working to improve our infrastructure to meet the needs of the
modern Army – and to enable our people to perform at their
best.
The truly impressive new facilities that have been delivered for
Nuneaton EOD Troop are an example of critical infrastructure that
directly strengthens our operational capabilities.
Warren Webster, DIO's Head of Major Programmes and Projects for
the Army, said:
These impressive new facilities were crucial to allow 11 EOD and
Search Regiment to operate from their new home, Gamecock
Barracks. We've worked hard with our design contractors Tetra
Tech and build contractors Henry Brothers, sub-contracted by
VIVO, to make sure it caters for everything the Regiment's
soldiers and officers need to prepare for and undertake their
vital role.
11 EOD and Search Regt is responsible for ensuring all land
service ammunition and explosives are stored and maintained
appropriately, as well as providing the Army with technical
support to ensure it can fulfil its responsibilities in dealing
with ammunition.
As those responsible for the safety of the public from explosive,
chemical, biological and radiological threats, this work is
essential to UK resilience, as Capt Robert Soutar, second in
command at 721 EOD Squadron explained:
We are the most highly decorated peace time Regiment in the
British Army: providing the highest level of EOD, Search and
Electronic Warfare support to Defence and the Home Office.
We are unique within the Army in that we deliver our capability
24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. This team is one
of 15 national teams that keep us safe from bombs and explosive
risks.
Speaking about the new facilities, Paul Bond, Operations Director
for the Built Estate Central region at VIVO Defence Services,
said:
As one of the UK's largest providers of estate services to the
MOD, we're proud to serve the UK military and help enable its
defence capability.
I'm pleased we've provided such an excellent, innovative and
secure facility, specifically designed and built with the EOD
Troop relocating to it in mind so it aids them in the important
work they do. I'm confident this will be a great new home for
them for years to come.
Thank you to all those involved across VIVO and our supply chain
and thank you to DIO, Army infrastructure and Gamecock's base
commanders for such close cooperation on this project.
Managing Director of Henry Brothers Construction, , added:
Henry Brothers has been involved in a significant number of
schemes across the UK, helping to upgrade and improve MOD sites,
including several in partnership with VIVO Defence Services.
We are very proud to have been involved in delivering a new home
for the EOD Troop as the troop moves from Chilwell in Nottingham
to Gamecock Barracks near Nuneaton.
This development, which is part of the MOD's investment into the
Armed Forces, will give them modern, purpose-built, secure
facilities as they start a new chapter in the history of the
Troop.
