Anger over primary building delay
Parents blast delay in opening of new primary school
Angry parents have hit out at builders after discovering a new school which was due for completion over summer will not be able to welcome youngsters in August as planned.
Livid families have said they refuse to accept the hold-up at Dargavel Primary School, which they were told was on track just a few weeks ago.
The council has said prospective pupils will have to attend Bishopton Primary for the first half-term of the academic year while workers complete the project.
Robertson Construction - which is heading up the build on behalf of BAE Systems - blamed the March 2020 lockdown for the delay.
The school - which may not open until October now - forms part of BAE’s transformation of the old Royal Ordnance Factory site into Dargavel Village, a major housing development.
Parents and local politicians are now piling the pressure on bosses to deliver the school as scheduled.
Angry parents have said they feel “hugely let down” after being told a new school which was due to welcome pupils in August will not be ready on time.
Dargavel Primary is being built in Arrochar Road within Dargavel Village, a major housing development on the outskirts of Bishopton.
The project is said to have “brought hope” to hundreds of children who have endured a tough year of disrupted education.
But just weeks before the end of the summer term, frustrated families have been told construction is behind schedule and all prospective pupils will be sent to Bishopton Primary between August and October.
BAE Systems is transforming the former Royal Ordnance Factory site into a development of 4,000 new homes, with the project due to be fully complete by 2034.
Robertson Construction has been responsible for the build of the two-storey school, which will be able to hold 440 pupils and is set to include a cycling proficiency track and an all- weather sports pitch.
The firm has blamed the lockdown implemented in March last year for the delay.
Carly Butler, secretary of the Dargavel Primary Parent Council, said families were told just a few weeks ago that the project was on track and branded the hold-up as “unacceptable”.
She said: “Families have been hugely let down by Renfrewshire Council, Robertson and BAE.
“Three weeks before the end of the current school term, we have been informed the school will not be ready for the August intake, despite being told otherwise just a few weeks ago.
“There appears to be little consideration for the impact this will have, particularly on the P1 children, who will now spend their first few weeks of school in the wrong school.
“This last year has brought untold consequences for our young people when it comes to their education and mental health. “The new school brought hope. “We have watched it being built with great anticipation.
“We will not accept the delay. “More must be done to get our school ready in time.”
On its website, the council said it is working with Robertson and BAE to “revise the programme of works” and nail down a new completion date.
A phased opening of the new school is being considered.
Education bosses said the number of pupils attending Bishopton while the school is completed will not exceed the maximum limit set by the Scottish Government and children will have staggered breaks.
Dargavel pupils will be taught by a teacher from their new school while at Bishopton.
A council spokesman said: “We share in the disappointment parents and pupils are feeling.
“We continue to work with BAE Systems and Robertson Construction to find the best solution.
“We are confident all Dargavel and Bishopton pupils can be accommodated within Bishopton Primary until the new school opens. We have devised a class structure that will ensure all pupils will receive their normal teaching.
“We will continue to keep parents and carers updated.”
The council added it anticipates the latest date for moving all children into the new school will be during the October break.
Bishopton councillor and MSP Natalie Don said she had written to Robertson demanding the firm delivers the school as planned.
She said: “This is not acceptable and I have written to Robertson Construction to make strong representations that they turn this project around in time.”
Miss Don added that she had arranged a meeting with convener of education, Jim Paterson, and the head of schools, Gordon McKinlay, to discuss possible solutions and the contingency plan.
A spokesman for Robertson Construction said: “Many of the local community have expressed frustration at the building not being available for the new school term in August and while we understand their frustration, we remain committed to delivering a high-quality school.
“The start of the project was delayed as a result of the March 2020 lockdown. Since starting the project, we have been complying with stringent safe operating procedures.
“This has resulted in a reduction of the number of people who can be on-site at any one time. Safety is our number one priority and we will not compromise the health and well-being of our workforce or the communities we work in.
“Due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic, the school will not be handed over in August.
“The date for opening the new school will be announced shortly.”
Paisley and Renfrewshire North MP Gavin Newlands added: “I’m meeting with Renfrewshire
Council and have asked Robertson Construction for an urgent meeting to make sure they are under no illusions as to how critical it is they complete this project over the summer.
“I understand the challenges the pandemic has brought for the construction industry, but the impact on the children will be stark if swift action isn’t taken to ensure completion by the start of the new school term.
“Education has been disrupted enough through the pandemic and children should not be let down by the last-minute failings of contractors.”
A BAE spokesman added: “We are committed to delivering the school in line with our planning obligations and continue to work closely with Renfrewshire Council and our contractors to ensure it is opened at the earliest opportunity.”
There appears to be little consideration for the impact this will have, particularly on the P1 children