Navy's new Welsh HQ takes shape

Topic: PeopleReserves

The frame of the £11m new headquarters of HMS Cambria has been finished – put up by builders Morgan Sindall in a mere ten days.

They’ve spent seven months carrying out the groundwork and laying the foundations on the new site at Roath Dock, barely a mile from the centre of Cardiff.

When it opens around this time next year, the new Cambria – replacing the existing building at Penarth, near Barry, seven miles from the heart of the Welsh capital – will feature classrooms, a fitness suite, changing rooms, administrative facilities and accommodation for up to 50 people.

Like its predecessor, it will serve the full-time Royal Navy, the Royal Naval Reserve and Wales University Royal Naval Unit.

Its location is also much better for supporting warships visiting Cardiff.

The first steel beam of the futuristic-looking new Cambria was laid on April 8 and by April 18 the frame of the structure was completed.

“This is an important day in the development of the new Cambria and shows that work is going very well and everything is on plan for the new building.

“The best thing is we shall have close access to the harbour, this will improve our training and development of members considerably,” said Commander Steve Fry, Cambria’s Commanding Officer.

 

This is an important day in the development of the new Cambria and shows that work is going very well and everything is on plan for the new building.

Commander Steve Fry RN