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WORK has started on the foundations of Derby's £100m Riverlights scheme.
The complex will include a new bus station, two hotels, a casino, bars and restaurants.
David Osborne, director of Derby Riverlights Ltd, said the bus station was on target for completion in September 2009, with the hotels, casino and shop units ready in June 2010.
He said: "The works to date on the site have focused on ripping out the existing concrete base of the former bus station and preparing the ground so the building contractor can lay the pile foundations that support the building's structure.
"So far, works are progressing well and approximately three quarters of the pile foundations are now in place."
After an official sod-cutting ceremony was held on the site, opposite Cockpit Island, on April 28, there were few signs of progress for two months.
But now, after preparing the ground, contractors are well underway building the foundations.
Over the past 10 days, they have broken up the hard-standing of the former bus station.
Now, augers – giant drills, such as that seen on the far right of the picture – are boring deep holes for the new foundations, while cranes lift heavy pipes which form part of the structure.
The pieces of broken concrete from the hard-standing will then become part of the foundations.
Mr Osborne said: "We are on course for the work to be completed in the timescales we have set out before.
"I think we can say that, with the recent market difficulties, it is a credit to everyone involved that this is still going ahead."
John Cadwallader, chief executive of Derby Cityscape, said it was great news that construction was moving ahead.
He said: "This should mean the contractors meet their targets.
"It's important for Derby to see Riverlights coming forward because it will add to Derby's evening attractions and to what the city offers as a whole."
Article courtesy of Derby Evening Telegraph