Builders bottom

The continuing saga of substandard work in new buildings is a national disgrace. The imposition of a system of quality assurance of building standards in PPP schemes is not working. It is only a question of time before another building collapses and people are killed.

Bricklayers are skilful people but must be required to work to acceptable standards without pressure from incentive schemes which only encourage the taking of short cuts to meet bonus awards.

The employment of subcontracted staff, to avoid a shortterm shortage of labour, has never been a guarantee of quality work without a strict system of quality control. BRIAN BROTHERSTON

Links Road Longniddry, East Lothian