Signy research station is Britain’s only summer-only Antarctic research station, with the infrastructure left unattended in winter and recommissioned every November for the austral summer season. It is also one of the smallest stations, with between 8 and 12 science and support staff present on site each summer.
The existing buildings (see below) were constructed in 1996 and have since been left unoccupied over winter. Due to the severe conditions at Signy, increasing amounts of maintenance are now required to maintain services and operations. As a result, a full redevelopment of the station is a highly beneficial undertaking in the long term. All works will be carried out in accordance with the Environmental Protocol and permission granted by the FCO following submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment.
At present, Signy Research Station consists of four main buildings: Sørlle House, the top store, a generator/RO building and a bulk fuel storage building. There are also three subsidiary buildings – the oil spill response hut, lube store and hazchem store. External structures include a jetty and slipway. All of these structures are connected by a series of timber and steel walkways and ramps.
Current layout of Signy research station
The new station will improve the efficiency of operations at Signy, but it will also have a positive impact on the station’s end-users. Specific plans are under discussion.
Jon Ager joined British Antarctic Survey as Director of the UK Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme in 2019, after serving for almost 35 years in the Royal Air Force and aerospace […]
British Antarctic Survey and the partners delivering the Antarctic Infrastructure Modernisation Programme are finalists for this year’s British Construction Industry (BCI) Awards in the ‘Partnership Initiative of the Year’ category. […]
Construction expert BAM has been chosen to partner with British Antarctic Survey (BAS) to modernise UK Antarctic and other research facilities, enabling British scientists to continue delivering world class research […]
Technical advisor appointment
Signy serves as Britain’s window into Antarctic life. This small but vital facility allows biologists to study processes too complex to observe elsewhere.
Our state-of-the-art polar science ship provides scientists access to remote and challenging marine environments across the Antarctic and Arctic.
