Bridge bosses ‘avoid fine’ despite delays
THE contractors responsible for a second delay to the opening of the Queensferry Crossing will dodge paying any damages for not delivering the project on time.
The Sunday Post revealed last Sunday that the £1.3bn crossing was going to be delayed again.
SNP minsters admitted three days later that it will now be ready sometime between July and the end of August.
The bridge consortium had been liable to pay damages if the crossing was later than the contracted date of June 14.
But it is understood constructors have negotiated an extension as to when so-called “liquidated damages” kick in.
Alex Cole-Hamilton, Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh West, said: “People in my constituency and all across Scotland will be wondering what on earth is going on here as we face yet another delay.
“Big questions have to be asked about why the contractor has not built in enough contingency, why it is not paying damages and why Transport Scotland has not kept a tighter control over things.”
Big construction projects typically have contract clauses which allow for so-called liquidated damages or penalties if the work is not completed on time.
Documents released under freedom of information laws show the deal for the Queensferry Crossing does have a clause which would allow Transport Scotland to claim damages if the work is not completed on time.
It is understood the Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors consortium – which includes multinational firms Dragados, Hochtief, American Bridge and Morrison Construction – has negotiated an extension to August.
Transport Scotland has refused to say how far behind the project is in key areas such as waterproofing.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “In common with the majority of large civil engineering contracts, the contract has a mechanism to change the [contractual completion] date in certain prescribed circumstances which are outside the contractor’s control.
“This includes situations where exceptionally adverse weather is encountered.
“In these circumstances, the contractor has the opportunity to make claims for delay which if accepted can result in an extension of time.
“If unsuccessful, liquidated damages apply.
“Any commercial discussions between Transport Scotland and the contractor are confidential.”