Building firm defends itself against ‘sloppy’ safety practices claim

A construction firm has defended its decision to remove traffic bollards from the edge of a Perth housing estate, opening up access to working vehicles.

Robertson Partnership Homes, which is building new properties in Muirton, has been accused by a local councillor of “sloppy” safety practices and “putting local residents at risk”.

Peter Barrett said locals woke to find bollards sealing off Carnegie Place and Ainslie Gardens had been removed, while work got under way on the next phase of housing.

“Since then, residents have had to put up with construction and other traffic using Carnegie Place as an unauthorised route,” he said.

Mr Barrett claimed the firm declined to put the bollards back when the issue was first brought to the attention of bosses.

“In fact, they seem determined to give the council the runaround and they are putting local residents at risk,” he said.

A spokeswoman for Robertson Partnership Homes said: “We take the views of stakeholders very seriously.

“The bollards were removed with the permission of Perth and Kinross Council. This was done with the aim of minimising disruption for local residents.”

She said: “They will be reinstated as soon as the work has been completed.

“Public safety is paramount throughout our operations, which is why we have a traffic management system in place with visible diversion signs to inform the general public and road users of the diversion routes.”

She added: “Residents were informed of the works in advance via letter, and we would encourage anyone with concerns to contact the project team using the numbers provided.”

Robertson is building more than 200 homes in Muirton as part of a major regeneration programme in partnership with the Caledonia Housing Association and the Fairfield Housing Co-operative.

The multi-million-pound project was granted planning permission from the council last summer.