Glimpse of future as work begins on cancer centre
WE’VE been given a virtual look at what the Christie at Macclesfield cancer centre will look like - as demolition work begins to make way for it.
Hoardings at the site, at Macclesfield Hospital, are already up and teams will soon move in to begin clearance.
And the Christie has produced a computer generated video and pictures that give a tour around the inside of what will be built.
The images are for illustrative purposes as not all of the interior designs and furnishings in the two-storey building have been finalised yet.
But they are as close as possible to a ‘sneak preview’ of the world class facilities our town will be getting.
Dr Andrew Sykes, clinical lead for the project, said: “It’s exciting that our team can get started on site and move us a big step closer to this project reaching fruition.
“Lots of people have said how much they want the Christie at Macclesfield and fundraising for the project is gathering momentum but we still need to raise almost £20m.
“The new centre will deliver cancer care to the highest Christie standards, but closer to where patients live.”
A timeline for the development has also been released and it begins with piling (work on the foundations) in mid April.
Work on the steel frames is due to start in July, on external walls and roofing in September and glazing in October
Highways work kicks off in November and in 2021 landscaping will take place from February and building will be completed hopefully in late summer with an autumn opening.
Representatives from contractor Galliford Try, the Christie and Cheshire East Council have met with. nearby residents to discuss how they will try to minimise disruption.
Measures include dedicated on-site parking for construction staff and rubble being crushed on site to reduce the number of lorries on roads.
There will also be a holding area for lorries on the A537 Chelford Road. Planning permission for the centre, which will have around 20,000 appointments annually, was given in September last year.