The Diamond Light Source is the largest scientific facility to be constructed in the UK for 30 years. The vast machine, which covers the area of five football pitches, generates intense light beams to probe matter down to the molecular and atomic scale. Within the machine, which is sometimes described as a "super microscope", electrons are accelerated into a thin, doughnut-shaped vacuum chamber, which measures 562.6m (1,846ft) in circumference.

As the particles whizz around and around, almost reaching the speed of light, they lose energy in the form of synchrotron light. This intense light, which falls in the range of x-ray, ultra-violet and infra-red, is then channelled off into beamlines, where it passes through samples of material, probing deep into their fine-structure.

The Edwards Partnership provided post contract support services to the main contractor, Costain, managing the procurement process and subsequent cost control of major sub-contract packages. Our rigorous cost control procedures ensured that the works were delivered in accordance with the available budget.