Build Scotland Construction Directory
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Share this page
Construction News
30/06/2017

D&G Council Slams Contractors For Failing To Prioritise Public Safety

Construction News Image
A new report has slammed safety issues across a number of public buildings in Dumfries and Galloway (D&G).

The document, which will be presented to Councillors next week, blasts private sector construction contractors which failed to prioritise public safety when delivering public buildings.

Members will be informed in relation to safety investigations being carried out at Council buildings, how the council has responded and providing assurances on the safety of buildings. In addition, the report also provides details on construction flaws at DG One, issues relating to public safety and future options.

The £17 million DG One facility was closed in October 2014 after serious construction defects were discovered at the building. The project was opened in 2008 and delivered by Kier Northern.

The council said: "Following the tragic events at Liberton High School in Edinburgh in 2014, incidents with Edinburgh School external walls collapsing in 2016 and the recent tragic fire in London, ensuring public safety has been prioritised across the country.

-- Advertisement --
NorthernAsbestosServicesLtd

"This calls into question the safety of all public buildings constructed during a set period of time and requires them to be reviewed. The report will outline the actions that the council is undertaking to ensure the safety of our buildings and the safety of the public who would use our facilities."

Council Leader Elaine Murray said the local authority needs to be "open and transparent about the state of our buildings".

"Like everyone else will be, I am shocked at the details relating to the condition of DG One," she said.

"It is beyond comprehension that a private sector contractor would willingly hand over a building to the council that was so fundamentally flawed. Public safety was not prioritised and instead, we have been subject to corners being cut so that profits could be maximised by private sector contractors."

Depute Leader, Rob Davidson, said: "I am appalled that such serious building safety practices seem to have been ignored. The extent and nature of the problems at DG One, which are similar to those that we have seen across the country, is staggering. We could not have anticipated that fundamental safety procedures had not been followed in the original construction and the level of defects and required works are unprecedented.

"I consider any instances of non-compliance with building regulations completely unacceptable, in particular those in high risk area such as structural safety and fire protection. It is vital that everything is being done to deliver safe outcomes for the people who use or occupy our buildings."

(LM)

Latest Construction News

22/11/2024

SP Energy Networks has announced a major investment in Britain's electricity grid, selecting 19 preferred partners to deliver a £5.4bn supply chain programme. This significant initiative aims to meet increasing energy demand and facilitate future growth. The selected companies, many of which are ...
22/11/2024

Edinburgh City Council has launched a 12-week public consultation on a new strategy to revitalise Princes Street and the wider Waverley Valley. The vision aims to create a more vibrant and welcoming city centre, attracting investment, supporting businesses, and enhancing the visitor ...
22/11/2024

Ener-G Services Limited, a leading UK electrical engineering company specialising in renewables, marine, and offshore sectors, has expanded its operations in Westhill, Aberdeenshire. The company has leased Unit 6E at Kingshill Commercial Park, a 2,500 sq ft space, on a 5-year lease. This new ...
22/11/2024

A consortium of leading scientists, industry experts, and academic institutions has joined forces to accelerate Scotland's offshore wind sector. The £2.5 million project, led by the University of Edinburgh in collaboration with the University of Dundee and the Forth and Tay Offshore cluster (FTO), ...
22/11/2024

The Port of Aberdeen and Turner & Townsend were highly commended in the 'Engineering, Construction & Infrastructure Project of the Year' category at the APM Project Management Awards 2024. The award recognises excellence in project management and the positive impact on end-users. The £420 million ...
22/11/2024

South Lanarkshire Council's £10 million fire safety improvement programme has reached a significant milestone, with CCG (Scotland) completing installations in over 1,700 high-rise residences across East Kilbride and Cambuslang. The Glasgow-based construction firm has been working closely with the ...
22/11/2024

SSEN Transmission, a key player in the UK's energy transition, is set to further expand its workforce and move into a new, sustainable office space in Glasgow. The company's commitment to net zero and the increasing demand for green energy workers has led to significant growth, with the number of ...
22/11/2024

Scottish Water is investing in the upgrade of its Loch Eck clean water plant in Dunoon. The project involves replacing outdated dry well pumps with new, more reliable pumps capable of operating in both wet and dry conditions. WGM Engineering, an RSK Group company, has been tasked with carrying out ...
22/11/2024

Scottish Land & Estates has expressed serious concerns over the Scottish Government's Land Reform Bill, particularly the provisions that would allow ministers to force landowners to sell large estates in lots. Sarah-Jane Laing, the organisation's chief executive, stated that while the land-based ...
22/11/2024

Clark Contracts employees have once again shown their commitment to community engagement by volunteering at Silverburn Park in Leven. On Thursday, 21st November, 16 members of the team spent their day planting over 400 trees and carrying out other landscaping tasks. This latest volunteering effort ...
RBT Underfloor LimitedMorris & Spottiswood LtdBabbity EnvironmentalMaterials Market UK Trading LtdMartin Property Care LimitedHutton Stone Co LtdPlanning HandbookSuperglass Insulation LtdHorizon Reinforcing & Crane Hire Co LtdWhitsons Ltd
Terms and Conditions
2024/11/23 08:43:57