THE relatively mild weather is aiding the speed of construction at the British Army’s base at Larkhill.

The Journal got a behind the fence view of the new soldiers’ accommodation at Larkhill this last week.

The Junior Ranks’ Single Living Accommodation (JRSLAs) currently being built as part of a four-year construction programme will provide a new home for troops moving under the Army Basing Programme (ABP) - the withdrawal of the British Army from Germany in 2019 and a series of Unit moves across the UK.  The number of single bed spaces at Larkhill will be doubled. 

JRSLAs are precisely engineered modular buildings which provide each soldier with a modern en-suite bedroom and communal areas for socialising.  They are being delivered alongside other domestic and technical assets, including diners, office accommodation, training facilities and garages for Army vehicles, by Aspire Defence Capital Works (ADCW) on behalf of the MOD. 

Allan Thomson, Chief Executive of Aspire Defence Limited, said, “We were delighted to have an opportunity to demonstrate our build progress to the Salisbury Journal and to showcase the new JRSLAs.  Through provision of first-rate, purpose built accommodation we are improving soldiers’ quality of life and building foundations for the Army’s future across the South.” 

The ABP works are also supporting the regional economy.  ADCW has engaged a number of subcontractors to deliver the infrastructure improvements required across five garrisons on Salisbury Plain and at Aldershot.

The JRSLA modules, for example, are manufactured by Rollalong in Dorset.  Aspire Defence is also working with Wiltshire College and currently supporting six trade apprenticeships.