Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much the demolition and rebuilding of the car park in New Covent Garden Market is forecast to cost.

The existing Multi storey car park has been assessed by structural engineers from both the Covent Garden Market Authority (CGMA) and by CGMA’s Private Development Partner who consider the structure to be in a satisfactory condition to be retained and refurbished rather than demolished and rebuilt. However, due to the age of the car park, additional works are required to bring the user environment and services up to current standards. As such, repairs are being carried out to the concrete decks and walls, all surfaces are being treated with specialist paint finishes, new handrails are being installed and all electrical and mechanical services including two passenger lifts are being replaced. Externally, as required by a planning condition, a green wall is being installed to half of the surface area.

The contracts to undertake the work will be let by the Private Development Partner, VSM (NCGM) Limited. Some of these contracts have yet to be finalised and as such cost information is commercially confidential and cannot be disclosed at this time.