Scots get tough on building regs

Contractors working in Scotland face extra red tape and the threat of immediate improvement work if amendments to the Building (Scotland) Bill become law early next year.

The additions come in the wake of the inquest into the death of a 26-year old Australian waitress who was killed in June 2000 by falling masonry at Ryan's Bar in Edinburgh.

Faulty construction work was found to be the cause of the accident, although no charges against the contractors involved have been brought.

The changes, if made law at the end of the Parliamentary session in March next year, will make contractors more culpable for their actions. Local authorities will be allowed to carry out regular on-the-spot checks and will force contractors to carry out immediate renovation work. Currently inspectors can enter a building only if they have a reasonable cause to believe it is dangerous.

One unnamed contractor feared that the new measures could delay projects by weeks.

The Bill proposes that warranties should be strengthened and that building standards should comply with the European Community's construction products directive.

The amendments have yet to be finalised by the Scottish Parliament's environment committee before a final reading.

However, one parliamentary source told Contract Journal that as the Bill had received such support from inside and outside government it is strongly tipped to be made law early next year. Parliament is now believed to be considering setting up a committee to ensure all building standards are maintained and that councils are up to date on industry changes and trends.

Sid Patten, chief executive of building employer organisation Scottish Building, told CJ that although the moves might be seen by some as creating more red tape, the Bill will help reduce the number of cowboy builders in the industry and improve its image.

However, Patten warned that there was a concern in the industry over the Bill's proposition to encourage a private verifier during the warranty and completion process.

"It is well known in England that the use of a private individual causes several delays as different verifiers are needed on certain areas of the project," he said.