More jobs are set to be created at Derbyshire’s flagship regeneration scheme when a leading construction company moves onto the site.
Costain Serco has been awarded a major Highways Agency contract to manage M1 improvements between junctions 28 and 31.
Costain Serco has chosen Henry Boot Developments Limited and Derbyshire County Council’s Markham Vale site, adjacent to the motorway’s new junction 29A, as its base for the two year programme of work.
Councillor Joan Dixon, Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy and Transport, said:

“It is great news that Costain Serco is setting up a site office at Markham Vale and bringing with it hundreds of job opportunities. There’s no doubt these are challenging economic times but this latest investment – on the back of other positive recent announcements – demonstrate the strong foundations which have been put in place for Markham Vale to flourish.
We are committed to building a strong Derbyshire economy that creates jobs, grows businesses and provides a future for our young people, and Markham Vale will continue to play a key role in that.”

Vivienne Clements, Director of Henry Boot Developments Limited comments:

“Markham Vale’s central location and unrivalled accessibility onto the M1, the UK’s most important transport route, continues to attract regional and national companies.
The letting to Costain is a reflection of the flexible approach we are able to take at Markham Vale, delivering the building or site to meet specific occupiers’ requirements, either on a rental or purchase basis.  We are close to finalising discussions with several businesses, looking to expand and re-locate to Markham Vale, news of which we expect to be able to announce in the coming weeks.”

Costain Serco is one of the country’s leading engineering firms for major infrastructure projects – including the construction of roads, airports, waste treatment plants and schools.
Richard Stuart, Project Manager for Costain Serco said

“We are very much looking forward to getting on the ground to deliver much needed improvements to the M1 in the East Midlands. We are already working with local authorities in the area. We want to ensure that we make a positive impact on the local economy both during construction and in the longer term as the benefits of the projects are realised. Markham Vale is ideally placed for us with excellent location and access to the motorway”

Markham Vale has been granted Enterprise Zone status by the Government, meaning firms moving to some areas of the site can apply for Enhanced Capital Allowances – offering tax relief for major investment in plant and machinery.
A planning application has been submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council by Costain Serco for its new Markham Vale premises.
Further details of Markham Vale can be found by visiting www.markhamvale.co.uk