Holyrood construction timetable unachievable

The construction timetable for the £420m Holyrood project "had never been achievable", according to the lead architect for the project.

Speaking yesterday (Tuesday) at the Fraser Inquiry - which is looking into why costs for the project have risen from original estimates of £40m - Benedetta Tagliabue described the three-year timetable - which she and her husband, Enric Miralles, signed up to - as "crazy".

The project is due to be completed this autumn, three years behind schedule and at a cost of £380m more than the original estimate.

Lord Fraser of Carmyllie's inquiry into the Holyrood fiasco has already found that a series of spats between the two architectural firms delayed the project.

The inquiry will resume taking evidence tomorrow (Thursday) before Lord Fraser retires to consider the evidence and compile his report.