Weekly wrap | To close or not to close, that is still the question
Three weeks ago I packed away my laptop, put down my pen and exited NCE HQ to head off on paternity leave.
In the 21 days between my departure and subsequent return to work, the world has changed. During those first days on leave I dusted off my bike, pumped up the tyres and was planning to return to the office a new man. Instead I am writing this missive on my kitchen table-cum-office desk, in my tracksuit bottoms, with a crying baby and twin eight-year-olds doing their best to steal my attention.
Yet, despite the slight inconvenience, I can to all intents and purposes continue doing my job from home. That is a luxury that the construction industry at large does not have. The conundrum of keeping sites open while maintaining workers health and safety has hit every corner of the industry. And the government’s stance has only added more confusion into the mix. Granting engineers ‘essential worker’ status has forced contractors and clients alike to ask themselves whether to close sites. Government is adamant that construction can continue as long as its rules, Public Health England (PHE) recommendations and Construction Leadership Council guidelines are followed. It refuses to classify some construction operatives as less than essential.
However, the ‘business as usual’ approach to construction does now appear to be relaxing, with the temporary shutdown of construction sites occurring across the UK as contractors gauge their activity no longer feasible in light of government rules and social responsibility. Companies as diverse as Sir Robert McAlpine, Mace and Aarsleff Ground Engineering are shutting up some or all of their sites. The impact can be severe on major projects: HS2, for instance is currently on hold. On Wednesday, TfL and Crossrail also closed sites, while Hinkley Point C’s workforce has been drastically cut down to allow for social distancing.
Closing down sites that cannot be operated safely during the coronavirus crisis is stretching the ingenuity of Britain’s construction industry, forced to confront unique circumstances at speed. Lack of certainty over when the crisis will end makes the planning and implementation of shut downs more complex. Achieving safe closure with minimal notice is adding to the challenges contractors face.
And yet, despite site closures and project uncertainty, proposals for future projects continue apace.
This week, the European Commission gave the green light Danish plans to use public financing for the Fehmarn Belt tunnel linking Denmark with Germany by road and rail, allowing us all to look forwards to a time when travelling around Europe is normal again.
Meanwhile, Highways England revealed that it has whittled down its shortlist to design and build the Stonehenge Tunnel to three JVs and a revised plan for the Lower Thames Crossing consultation was announced.
This week's top stories:
Covid-19 | Contractors strive to shut sites quickly and safely
Covid-19 | Mothballing of sites hits major projects including HS2
Hinkley Point halves labour force but 'critically important' site stays open
Public funding of Denmark – Germany tunnel given EU green light
Stonehenge design and build narrows to three-JV shortlist
Podcast | Heathrow West CEO Carlton Brown talks about expansion on the latest episode