Building giants donating gear to frontline staff

Life-saving equipment offered after construction firms close down sites

Housebuilders forced to down tools at sites across Tayside have donated protective gear to frontline workers.

GS Brown has handed over vital supplies, including masks and gloves, to key staff at Perth and Kinross Council.

The Glencarse-based firm has previously been involved in public spats with the council, including a row over an advertising board at McDiarmid Park and delays at the Oudenarde development, near Bridge of Earn.

But in a show of solidarity, boxes of kit have been handed to the council and the firm’s bosses urge others to do likewise.

“GS Brown are delighted to be able to donate our workshop stock to help our key worker heroes,” a spokesman said.

The council responded on social media with a “big, big thank you”.

Meanwhile, days after halting work at its Kinross development, Persimmon Homes has said it will hand over spare personal protective equipment (PPE) from the Lathro Farm site.

Equipment, from Persimmon sites across Scotland, has gone to local hospitals.

Regional managing director Doug Law said: “I am delighted that we have been able to step up and donate this much-needed equipment.

“Our NHS is doing a tremendous job in this fight against coronavirus. They deserve to be as protected as possible.”

Persimmon’s Community Champions scheme is also helping groups benefiting the over-70s with £64,000 of grants.

Perth-based A&J Stephen began a shutdown of its sites last week. A spokeswoman said it was also offering the NHS “all the relevant PPE” it had, which was a “small number of face masks”.

Works to upgrade the A9 north of Perth to dual carriageway have been put on hold by Transport Scotland.

Workers were told to down tools in light of the social distancing guidance.

Picture: Steve MacDougall. Dualling works on the A9 between Luncarty and Birnam have been postponed indefinitely due to the Covid-19 lockdown.