Builders break rules and get back on sites
BUILDERS have been spotted back on construction sites despite lockdown rules forcing the closure of all but essential projects.
Nicola Sturgeon said only building work such as on schemes for the NHS should continue at present.
House builders have been told not to work, even in a socially distanced way.
The reported return of some builders to sites comes as fears grow over the lockdown’s financial impact on firms.
Industry body Homes for Scotland has been calling for a date when workers can return safely amid warnings that firms will collapse in the shutdown.
Yesterday, activity was noted at the site run by an English-based construction giant for a flagship project funded by the Scottish Government.
At the start of the coronavirus restrictions in March, Kier said it was taking instruction from the UK Government by continuing to work at the £66million Burrell Collection project in Glasgow. The firm eventually bowed to pressure and announced a ‘phased’ closure of its site in Pollok Country Park by April 10, nearly three weeks after lockdown began. Yesterday, workers were back on the site which the Scottish Government is funding to the tune of £5million.
Three workers were using a cherry picker to work on the glass roof of the building, with none of them covering their mouth or nose.
At the side of the building, two contractors were assembling panels on the Burrell’s walls, again with no sign of facial protection.
There were around ten cars in the compound, an indication of the number of workers who may have been present.
Burrell Renaissance, the arm of Glasgow City Council which is behind the delayed project, insisted that yesterday’s work was ‘emergency’ in nature, only to ensure the building was ‘wind and water tight.’
However, local councillor Stephen Curran said he would be seeking ‘assurances’ from the council’s chief executive that such work was necessary.
Mr Curran, who represents the city’s Newlands Auldburn ward, said: ‘It seems this was one of the last projects to stop and appears now one of the first to resume.
‘They took until April 10 to leave the site. Are they saying that they did not leave it wind and water tight?’
The Burrell Collection has been shut since 2016. The building was due to reopen this year but that has been put back to 2021.
A spokesman for the Burrell Renaissance said: ‘The Burrell Collection construction project has been stopped in accordance with Scottish Government advice.
‘Five workers are on site, conducting essential work to the roof to ensure the building remains wind and water tight and does not suffer any damage during the shutdown. These activities are in line with the current emergency works categories.’
Another Scottish site seemingly active was in Motherwell, Lanarkshire.
House builders in England returned to work last week after Boris Johnson loosened restrictions south of the Border.
Researchers at property agent Knight Frank have warned the downtime will cost the industry dearly, leading to 56,000 fewer new homes being built this year.
They said this could mean only 104,500 homes are completed, instead of 160,900.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘The First Minister has been absolutely clear that all construction work must cease unless, for example, it is for an NHS facility.
‘We will be in touch urgently to remind the contractors of their responsibilities.
‘While lockdown remains in place, every non-essential business that opens and every increased physical interaction, risks lockdown being in place longer.
He said the advice to close ‘all but essential’ construction sites is based on public health grounds.
The spokesman added: ‘We expect all non-essential businesses to adopt a precautionary approach by remaining closed to protect the lives of their workers and families.’
‘Remind contractors of responsibilities’