Troops receive en-suite bathrooms

26/06/2008

A new Ministry of Defence garrison in Aldershot features en-suite bathrooms and renewable energy technology.

Six new single living blocks have been opened today (June 26th) at the barracks to house soldiers from the 27th Transport Regiment, after being built by Aspire Defence Limited.

The accommodation was provided under the Project Allenby/Connaught private finance initiative (PFI) and saw the construction of 216 single bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, in addition to a cafe bar, shop and internet cafe.

Renewable energy is also included in the development, through solar panels installed on the buildings' roofs.

Lieutenant General Nick Parker, the regional forces commander, said: "There is a still much more to come in Aldershot and elsewhere in the other garrisons benefiting from this project, but we really are making soldiers lives better."

The £8-billion PFI project will eventually deliver and maintain 11,500 single bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, as well as dining and leisure facilities.

In all, the project will affect the living arrangements of almost 20 per cent of British Army soldiers and has taken a string of awards, including Best Operational UK Project, for its work.