Concerns as workmen spotted on ‘non-essential’ city council building site
Two workmen were spotted on a non-essential site in Edinburgh raising concerns over a breach government construction rules during the Covid-19 lockdown.
The city council has been criticised after workmen were spotted working at one of the Snp-run authority’s key building projects.
A pair of workmen were seen at the council’s Powderhall development site in the north of the city – defying strict Scottishgovernmentissuedguidelines.
The government guidance stipulates only “essential” projects, such as building hospitals, should continue during the coronavirus pandemic.
The council said the Powderhall location is being used as “a compound site” for the trams project and that contractors were complying with government guidance.
Concerns have been raised over conflicted guidance between the UK and Scottish governments for the construction industry.
Tory Lothians MSP Miles Briggs said: “There are very strict guidelines in place by the Scottish Government for good reason, to slow down the spread of Coronavirus and allow hospitals to treat people who get Coronavirus.
“It is very concerning that Edinburgh City Council are continuing with work on the Powderhall building site, despite national guidance saying not to.
“It has not been helpful to see contradictory messages being developed and for various different protocols [to be put inplace] in England but not in Scotland.”
A council spokesman said: “In line with the requirement to put suitable arrangements in place for monitoring the site and site compound’s security and safety a small team has been retained to monitor the existing excavations, as well as essential remedial work where an issue is identified.”