One of Scotland’s largest construction companies has experienced an increase in burst pipe call-outs over the past two days.

Glasgow City Council’s arm’s-length construction company City Building – which operates repairs and maintenance contracts for clients including housing associations, schools and private sector companies – has responded to 702 reports of burst pipes. In an average two-day period it receives just 102 burst pipe call-outs.

It has also received 1700 gas call-outs since the big thaw began two days ago and provided 1000 temporary heaters. The company has also bought “snow socks” for its fleet of gas vans, to enable it to reach vulnerable people in hard-hit areas.


Over the past five days it has received 6500 calls to its hotline, 4000 of which have been classified as emergencies.

In addition, the construction firm has drafted in plumbers from other areas of its business to meet round-the-clock demand for its repairs and maintenance services. And City Building employees who could not make it to work at construction sites this week have helped grit pavements and shovel snow around health centres and schools in the Glasgow area.

City Building managing director Willie Docherty said: “We’re pleased to be playing a small part in helping the people of Glasgow and the west of Scotland get back on their feet.

“The disruption caused by burst pipes and the like cannot be underestimated and we will continue to work round-the-clock to meet our clients and their customers’ needs.”

(GK)