Specialists have contacted the Enquirer after disputes on the Ellesmere Street and Ancoats projects in the city.

The £27.5m Ellesmere Street project to create 232 apartments across three blocks is running well past its original completion date of June 2018.

One site source said: “A lot of trades were getting mucked about with payments and some have just had enough.

“Construction in Manchester is white hot at the moment and if you aren’t happy on a job there are plenty of alternatives.

“It’s a dangerous game to alienate your supply chain in a market where people are crying out for the best specialists on projects.”

Gary Hughes, regional director, England North, at GRAHAM, said: “We can confirm we took the decision to cease working with two subcontractors on our projects in Manchester last year.

“This matter is now subject to adjudication procedures and we cannot comment on the specifics while proceedings are ongoing.

“Work on-site at our Ellesmere Street and Ancoats projects continues as we strive to deliver residential developments that will provide quality homes for their communities.

“Our relationship with our client on these projects remains very strong and we look forward to continuing to realise key projects with them in the future.”