Car giant Jaguar Land Rover's i54 engine factory takes shape

Construction work on the two massive buildings – each as big as four football pitches – had been suspended over the Christmas and New Year holiday periods but was due to start again today at the site situated alongside the M54 motorway between Telford and Wolverhampton.

These pictures show framework and building panels have all gone up in recent weeks despite often appalling weather as construction company Interserve pushes ahead with the development, which is expected to be ready to start engine production in 2014.

Around 4,200 tons of steel will go into the buildings along with 20,600 cubic metres of concrete.

JLR has underlined the importance of the engine factory to the future of the company as it develops its new range of fuel efficient i4 inline four cylinder diesel and petrol engines for cars being developed.

The West Midlands-based luxury car maker is planning to more than double the number of its vehicles made annually to 600,000 by 2020.

It plans to make six new Range Rover models, five new versions of the Discovery and Freelander and five Defenders, including a pick-up, as well as launching its new Jaguar F-Type sports car this year.

To cope with its ramped-up car production the new plant near Telford will be making an engine every 36 seconds once it hits its stride.

Once the factory is in operation it is seen as a major opportunity for local companies, creating scores of jobs in the supply chain on top of the 750 people who will eventually work there.

Companies that already supply JLR, and many others that would like to, are talking to car company bosses about the role they could play in supplying components for the new factory.