Demolition of the concrete steps in the concourse area between Sheaf and EMB buildings began last week and is due to be completed by next Friday (19 February). Although every effort has been made to mitigate disturbance while this work is carried out, and to complete the most disruptive elements of this work out of normal hours, this is causing disruption to some staff and students. Some spare desk capacity is available within Sheaf building, due to colleagues moving to the Head Post Office, and staff can access this if they are looking for quieter areas in which to work. Staff using the specialist technical space who are experiencing particularly difficult conditions have been encouraged to should speak to their local timetabler.
The timetabling team is also seeking to move activities from EMB 3104 for two weeks due to noise disturbance. Where possible the team will try to find alternatives for the same date and time to minimise disruption to the timetable, and in these cases will simply update online timetables accordingly, so staff and students should keep checking timetables over the next few days. Timetablers will only be in direct contact with staff if an alternative room cannot be found for the same date and time.
Although this work is currently causing significant disruption to staff and students on the lower levels of Sheaf and EMB we are doing our best to deal speedily with specific issues as they arise in liaison with staff. Unfortunately this is a major element of the ongoing works on the new Atrium which needed to be completed during working hours to keep the project on track. We do continue to monitor the situation and to mitigate the disruption as far as we can during what will fortunately be only a two-week period of works.
Other work on the Atrium is continuing, with scaffolding works, window installation and cladding removal taking currently taking place. On Sheaf level 2 data and electrical installation, mechanical and decoration works and joinery is ongoing, with flooring and window installation due to begin.