Following “clear and consistent security advice” from its security advisers, the SPCB has agreed to the construction of a new, external security facility at Holyrood.
The total cost of the project, including VAT, fees and fit out, will be £6.48m. Work on site commenced on Monday 8 October 2012 with the new facility due to be completed and operational by the end of summer 2013. Throughout this period parliamentary business will not be disrupted.
External hoardings (1MB pdf) have been erected around the construction site. These do not affect normal access routes into the building and the Parliament will remain open to the public as usual. The disabled parking area on Horsewynd and the designated demonstration area will be unaffected.
The project remains on time and on budget and the Facility is scheduled to be operational during the summer as expected. Work on the new external façade is well underway and, over the coming weeks and months, the focus will move to the changes required to our existing building structures. To facilitate this, internal hoardings (297KB pdf) will be erected around an area in the Main Hall and the visitor waiting area will be moved to a designated area of seating opposite the reception desk. The existing public entrance and exit will continue to operate as normal and directional signage to the public café, toilets and exits will be placed on the hoardings to assist visitors.
A further hoarding will be erected in the public café later this month and the café will close for brief periods during May and June but this will be advertised in advance and again every effort will be made to ensure the minimum amount of disruption to building users.
Regular updates on the cost and programme, along with latest images and information for the public are available on this page.
The SPCB takes seriously its duty to safeguard the wellbeing of the Members, staff and 400,000 visitors who come to Holyrood each year and we appreciate your patience while this work is carried out.
SPCB Papers
News releases
SPCB agrees to build external security facility at Holyrood
Published 06 September 2012
SPCB invites construction tenders for Holyrood external security facility
Published 19 April 2012
SPCB to submit planning application for external security facility at Holyrood
Published 15 November 2011
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External screening facility
A computer-generated view of the external screening facility from the front of the Scottish Parliament building.
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External screening facility
A computer-generated view of the corridor within the external screening facility.
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External screening facility
A computer-generated view of the inside of the external screening facility.