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Shipbuilding hall named after 'pioneering' female electrician opens

BAE Systems A drone photo of a large red and grey warehouse on a sunny day, with water in front and city buildings trailing off into a tree-lined horizonBAE Systems
The Janet Harvey Hall dominates the skyline at BAE Systems in Govan

A giant new shipbuilding hall named after a pioneering female electrician has officially opened on the River Clyde in Glasgow.

The Janet Harvey Hall in Govan is big enough for two Type 26 anti-submarine warships to be built side-by-side.

Ms Harvey, who worked in the Clyde shipyards from the age of 18, was one of a handful of women alongside a 100,000-strong male workforce in World War Two.

The new facility is part of a £300m modernisation at BAE Systems in Glasgow.

The defence manufacturer is building eight Type 26 frigates for the Royal Navy.

The first vessel HMS Glasgow entered the water in December 2022. HMS Belfast and HMS Birmingham are currently being built in the new hall.

It measures 170m (558ft) long and 80m (262ft) wide, with two 100-tonne cranes and two more 20-tonne cranes inside.

It will allow warships to be built fully undercover in Glasgow for the first time and reduce the time between ship deliveries.

BAE Systems Janey Harvey receiving a honouring degreeBAE Systems
Janet Harvey was given an honorary doctorate in engineering at the age of 96

Simon Lister, Managing Director of BAE Systems' naval ships business, said: "The Janet Harvey Hall marks a major step forward for shipbuilding in Glasgow and will help enable efficient and safe shipbuilding for decades to come.

"It's a symbol of pride, not just for our skilled workforce who bring these ships to life, but for the entire city."

Janet Harvey's nieces joined Glasgow's Lord Provost to cut the ribbon on the facility.

Ms Harvey died on Armistice Day in 2023 at the age of 101.

She was recognised for her "significant contribution" to the UK's war efforts when she was awarded an Honorary Degree for engineering by Glasgow Caledonian University at the age of 96.