Work restarts on new Madras College construction

Construction work restarted at the Madras College site last week, with social distancing measures in place.

This will complete all remaining parts of the project, to allow full occupation of the facility for the start of academic year 2021/2022.

Councillor Fay Sinclair, convener of Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “I’m pleased to see construction work restarting on the new Madras College as understandably locals were worried the planned opening date would not be met.

“We’re conscious that any delays to the completion date would impact significantly on the whole school community.

“By restarting these works now, we can do everything possible to mitigate these delays and achieve an August 2021 opening date.”

The Madras site team have completed the planning and preparation phases as set out in the nationally agreed Construction Restart Model, so were able to restart safely.

The contractor has produced a revised programme, which includes the social distancing measures being followed for the foreseeable future.

“They will need to work to tight timescales but are confident they can handover the building in summer 2021.

This is likely to require Saturday working for the rest of the project.

Construction work started on the new school back in mid-2019, after years of waiting to find a suitable site for the new campus.

Detailed plans for the £40 million new school, which will bring both campuses under one roof, were lodged in February 2018.

The campus will have a 1450-student capacity.

However, when it does open it will be with a new rector at the helm, after current incumbent David McClure announced his decision to retire earlier this year.

The Madras rector will step down in August after seven successful years at the school.