Construction industry fears over maintaining output

17/03/2020 | DOMINIC BROWNE

The construction industry is working with the Government on how best to maintain critical output throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

A spokesperson for business department BEIS confirmed that government was in dialogue with the construction industry about the potential impacts and how to mitigate them.

The spokesperson said: 'The UK is extremely well prepared for these types of outbreaks; we are taking all necessary precautions to protect the public, including engaging with industry and the business community to discuss their preparedness planning.'

Government is advising businesses to build their own resilience by reviewing their business continuity, developing an understanding on the potential impacts to their supply chains or other factors critical to their operations and following the advice for employers available on GOV.UK.

Speaking to Transport Network, Alasdair Reisner, chief executive of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA), outlined the dangers facing the sector.

'The priority, of course, is to look after workers. Clearly, it's important we recognise when workers are infected or potentially infected and support their isolation. This is very much a developing situation. We are trying to co-ordinate activities across the sector,' he said.

'There is a big challenge to maintain productivity; how and if we can.'

The infrastructure sector is a £100bn industry in the UK alone; however its contractors do not tend to hold large reserves. If 'business critical' worksites close down, even large companies face a torrid future.

'Any halt in output will have a pretty devastating effect. We are in a different world to anything we have experienced before. It is not like 2008.'

Business critical work is distinct from 'safety critical' projects, which are seen as vital to the nation.

Together with Build UK, CECA has already asked the Government to identify 'safety critical work on the infrastructure network that is essential and must be continued'.

It also is seeking confirmation of 'arrangements and prompt payment for this work'.

No official advice appears to have been released yet; however CECA is working to provide guidance to the Government, which has an established and significant workstream on critical infrastructure.

'Government does consider how it will maintain infrastructure in the case of extraordinary events, and a global pandemic will be on that risk register,' Mr Reisner said.

The amount of financial support the infrastructure sector might need is currently hard to estimate but would almost certainly run into billions.

Mr Reisner said: 'We are currently doing work on what the financial support will be. The reality is the ask is so huge it's difficult to know.'

He suggested that the kind of actions taken by Frech president Emmanuel Macron would probably be necessary.

President Macron impressed last night in his live address, where he described the situation as a 'war' and promised a £300bn cash injection to the French economy and the suspension of payments on bills such as utilities.  He also vowed that no business would go bankrupt.

The Government said it is closely monitoring developments in relation to potential economic impacts on the UK economy and individual businesses and supply chain and we are keen that businesses feedback any specific concerns via their business relationship managers.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Technician - WMF3040e

£27,711 - £28,624
Are you an organised and motivated individual who wants to make a difference to how our roads are managed? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2114e

£37,035 - £37,938
Are you an experienced and motivated professional looking to take the next step in your traffic management career? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Senior Transport Planner

£47,532 - £50,574
Royal Greenwich is a borough synonymous with first class modern services Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recruiter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Technician - Highway Inspector

Grade 8 £28,797 - £30,708 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
Within the Highways Maintenance Team we are looking for an enthusiastic, customer focused and experienced person to join the Service Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Delivery Senior Team Leader

£74,480 - £85,964
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification) Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking an organised and enthusiastic individual to join our South Lakeland team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Bulky Operative

£25,584.00 - £27,269.00, Grade 5, 37 hours, Permanent.
An opportunity exists in the Council’s Street Scene Services for a Bulky Operative Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Wakefield Council

Project Delivery Team Leader

£57,710 - £71,842
Are you an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer (or equivalent professional qualification). Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts Council

£52000 - £61000 per annum
Shared Service Manager (Waste) North Herts CouncilNorth Herts CouncilPermanent, Full Time£52,866 - £61,866 per annum, plus car allowance (pay award pe England, Hertfordshire, Letchworth Garden City
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Street Scene Protection Officer - Braintree District Council

£30000 - £34000 per annum
Street Scene Protection Officer - Braintree District CouncilBraintree District CouncilPermanent, Full Time£30,313 to £34,612 per annumLocation
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2102e

£37,035 - £37,938
This is a key role supporting the delivery a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Assistant Traffic Management Technician - WMF2104e

£25,584 - £25,992
This is a key support role, helping to deliver a wide range of traffic and road safety schemes across South Lakeland. Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Flood Risk Engineering and Strategy Officer

£49,764 - £55,623
In line with our One Coventry Values, we want to ensure that our communities are represented across our workforce Coventry, West Midlands
Recruiter: Coventry City Council

Senior Integrated Transport Officer

£34,324 - £37,529
Are you an experienced transport planning professional ready to influence strategic policy and drive real change Matlock, Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Roadworker Trainee LGV Driver (3 Posts)

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay award pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team undertaking major highway, bridge and related construction and reconstruction Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Engineer

£44,430 - £51,663
This post is within the Highways Design and Delivery Team. London (Greater)
Recruiter: Tower Hamlets London Borough Council

Civil Enforcement Officer - WMF3013e

£27,711 -£28,624
Are you seeking an active and challenging role, part of a friendly and welcoming team? Cumbria / Various
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

UGO Bus Driver

Up to £25081.00 per annum
UGO Bus DriverPermanent, Part TimeUp to £25,081 per annum (full time equivalent)Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW