Contractor Laing O’Rourke resumes work on £750m Everton stadium project nine days after the death of construction worker Michael Jones on the site. Tony McDonough reports
Work has resumed on the construction of Everton FC’s £750m stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock nine days after worker Michael Jones was killed on the site.
Main contractor on the project, Laing O’Rourke, suspended work last Monday following an incident involving heavy machinery. Michael, 26, from Kirkby, was rushed to hospital but was declared dead shortly afterwards.
Annoying the resumption of work at the Liverpool Waters site, Laing O’Rourke said staff would have access to an on-site trauma counsellor. It added posters would be on display offering wellbeing services.
In a statement the company said: “Following discussions with the Health and Safety Executive, Everton and the family of Michael Jones, we informed our project team that we will resume construction operations at Bramley-Moore Dock on Wednesday, August 23.
“We have put in place additional support for everyone, including access to trained counsellors, and are focused on returning to work in an appropriate and respectful way following last week’s tragic incident.”
Michael was a “lifelong blue” Everton manager Sean Dyche visited Bramley-Moore Dock last week to pay his respects. He left a a bouquet of flowers and a handwritten message.
Everton supporters displayed RIP banners at the weekend as players took to the pitch for their game away to Aston Villa on Sunday. This was followed by a 26th minute applause.
Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp also visited the site with a number of his players to lay a wreath. During Liverpool’s match with Bournemouth on Saturday applause rang out from the crowd, also in the 26th minute.
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Earlier this month Everton marked the second anniversary of the start of the project. Once it is completed, Everton will relocate to the new arena from their current home in Goodison Park in 2024 or 2025.
In the next few months the roofing structure on the 52,888-capacity stadium in Liverpool Waters will be finished. This will make the arena watertight to aid the internal fit-out, which is already well under way in the east and west stands.