Market sources suggest steelwork contractor Severfield not in the firing line

New US Embassy

A number of steel bolts are having to be replaced on the under-construction 拢650m US Embassy project, main contractor Sir Robert McAlpine has said.

In a statement Sir Robert McAlpine said 鈥渟ome bolts are being replaced鈥, but it said this would 鈥渘ot affect the overall project schedule at all.鈥

Sir Robert McAlpine鈥檚 steel subcontractor on the scheme, Severfield, has previously faced a multi-million pound bill for replacing steel bolts on the Cheesegrater tower scheme in central London - built by Laing O鈥橰ourke - after some of the 鈥榤ega bolts鈥 were found to have material defects.

But a source close to the project said the US Embassy bolts replacement works were expected to have 鈥渘o significant financial impact鈥 on Severfield and added the firm was not thought to be at fault for the issue.

Sir Robert McAlpine is delivering the project in joint ventrue with US builder BL Harbert.

Severfield declined to comment.