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Construction sector welcomes moves to restart idle sites

May 22 2020

Construction sector welcomes moves to restart idle sites
The construction industry as let out a collective sigh of relief following the first tentative moves by the government to authorise a phased return to work from 28 May.
 
Proposals set down by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon would enable contractors to resume work on stalled sites, subject to the implementation of rigorous safe working practices.
 
Welcoming the announcement Elliot Robertson, chief executive of Robertson, remarked: “With construction and housebuilding operations on both sides of the border, we have found ourselves in a situation where we have been working safely in England but unable to do the same in Scotland."
 
There have also been calls for the government to go further in permitting indoor workers to proceed in tandem with their outdoor colleagues with Robin Blacklock, chair of the Scottish Property Federation, stating: “We also note the difference between outdoor and indoor working and there are examples where key indoor work may be done safely in line with COVID-19 safety operating procedures.
 
"These works will include fit-out operations for businesses and retailers that will be necessary for their successful reintroduction to the economy as the route map unfolds.”
 
Alan Wilson, chair of the Construction Industry Coronavirus Forum added: “This is the news we have been waiting for and it has not come a moment too soon."
 
A four-phase plan to exit lockdown centres on strict physical distancing and is predicated on continued declines in the infection rate.

4 Comments

Ally Bally
#1 Posted by Ally Bally on 22 May 2020 at 11:51 AM
I think you will find that construction workers are already back at work on Clyde Place where the Barclays building pictured is being build.
The Bairn
#2 Posted by The Bairn on 22 May 2020 at 14:11 PM
Will we get extra BREEAM points for type and quality of facemasks to be worn on site as well as the usual criteria for availability of sun cream and toilets for site operatives? Just asking.
Jimbo
#3 Posted by Jimbo on 22 May 2020 at 16:46 PM
The Scottish Government have purposely harmed the Scottish Construction Sector and wider economy to make a cheap political point despite the science saying we are not behind the curve in any way.
McQuade
#4 Posted by McQuade on 22 May 2020 at 19:05 PM
Elliot Robertson’s comments are spot on.
The English side of his business has been able to work safely yet the Scottish side sadly lags behind the rest of the UK. This will only exacerbate the financial inequalities in Scotland further.

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