ONE of the first - and biggest - construction projects to overhaul the shipyard in Barrow has been completed.

The Resolution building in Dova Way at Barrow Docks has now officially been handed over from construction firm Wates to BAE Systems.

The huge 28,000sq ft warehouse will be used to store classified materials and components used as part of the Successor-class submarine construction project as well as the shipyard's wider submarine programme.

The new warehouse has been named to mark 50 years since the launch of HMS Resolution - the Royal Navy's first submarine to carry nuclear weapons. The four Successor-class boats will perform the same task, operating the UK's Trident nuclear weapon system.

Allan Day is in charge of BAE's £300m+ site redevelopment, in which new buildings, training centres and facilities will be built across Barrow Island.

"The Resolution building has been delivered on time, and within budget by Wates," Mr Day said.

"Around 50 people will work from here, mostly on logistics, and we've engaged with our employees right from the start of the design process."

Youngsters from a host of local schools, as well as family of BAE employees are being given an exclusive tour around the £23m Resolution building before its top secret contents can begin to be delivered.

As part of the £300m investment into the shipyard, amenities and road systems in Barrow will also be upgraded to reflect the growing population of the town to service BAE's workforce, which stands at just short of 8,000 and is set to increase by around 1,000 over the next few years.

Three construction firms - Wates, Morgan Sindall and Costain, form a framework selected to deliver the various projects. The Central Yard facility, being built by Morgan Sindall, is due to be completed in around 12 months.

Other individual construction projects include an extension to the Devonshire Dock Hall and an redevelopment of Devonshire dock.

RESOLUTION BUILDING IN NUMBERS

Size: 28,000 sq ft

Height: 15 metres

Wildlife corridor: A 7-metre wide section for slow worms and newts

Steel: 1,500 tonnes of steel used in construction

People: Hundreds involved in the construction