Agratas expects up to 2,900 construction workers at its Bridgwater gigafactory this autumn as the first building becomes nearly water-tight and internal fit-out begins. Tata chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran visited the site amid a wider industry backdrop after Jaguar Land Rover announced around 4,000 job cuts. A contractor change to TSL was confirmed in June, and production is planned to start in late 2027, initially supplying JLR.
Bridgwater Gigafactory Sees Worker Uplift as Internal Fit-Out Begins
Huge EV battery plant to have 'uplift' in builders
The workforce at Britain's largest electric vehicle (EV) battery factory, being built by Agratas near Bridgwater in Somerset, is set to increase significantly as the project moves into a more intensive construction phase.
Agratas says as many as 2,900 construction workers could be on site this autumn, with a recent update to Somerset Council estimating a peak range of 2,500–2,900 personnel. The company reports the first building is now nearly water-tight, enabling internal fit-out and the arrival of specialist trades to install mechanical, electrical and other infrastructure systems.
Leadership Visit and Wider Context
Tata Group and Agratas chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran visited the site as construction moves into this intensive phase. His visit came days after Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) — also owned by Tata — said it would cut around 4,000 jobs, a reduction the carmaker partly linked to delays in its transition to EVs.
Agratas spokesperson: "The increase in the construction workforce reflects the changing nature of the work. As we move into this next phase, we will have a greater number of specialist trades working across the building to deliver the internal systems and infrastructure required for the facility. The site visit was an opportunity for our group chairman to see that progress first-hand as the project moves into this increasingly intensive phase of construction."
Contractor Change and Timeline
In June Agratas appointed a new construction contractor, TSL, to replace Sir Robert McAlpine. Sir Robert McAlpine said both parties had "mutually agreed to part ways" after completing the first phase of the project.
Agratas expects the Somerset gigafactory to begin producing battery cells in late 2027, initially supplying Jaguar Land Rover vehicles. The site will remain a major regional employer during the construction peak and as it transitions to operational staffing in later years.
More detailed schedules and workforce projections were submitted to Somerset Council as part of ongoing planning updates.
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