ArtsEd Responds To Criticism Of Continuing Construction Work
Say contractor must decide whether to suspend building project
Artist's impression of new building from Bath Road
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Local concerns have been raised about building works in the Chiswick area, including the development at Arts Educational, where work continued this week.
Local residents raised on our forum the question of whether the building at Arts Educational School on Bath Road could be considered 'essential'?
Others have raised the issue of whether residents should immediately stop having building work done on their homes given the rules on social distancing and travelling by tube.
However, ArtsEd have told us that the decision about whether to stop work or not is one for the contractor involved. They also said workers were travelling by van to work and the workforce had been reduced by 50 per cent.
Major projects such as Crossrail and the Cycleway 9 are being suspended. However the government has not issued a blanket ban on open-air construction.
The Construction Industry has issued industry guidelines for how sites should introduce extra measures on handwashing, no close working, cleaning of surfaces and site access. It also recommends workers take other modes of transport to the site such as cycling or using their own vehicles.
The response from the project director at ArtsEd states: "The decision about whether or when to stop work at the ArtsEd site rests entirely with the contractor. We at ArtsEd do not have the contractual right to tell them to stop.
"As you say the government’s line is not entirely clear, and may well change over the coming days, but our contractor is clear that they will fully and immediately comply with any instruction issued by the government.
"In practice the numbers working on site have been reduced by 50% this week so that the necessary separations can be maintained and almost all the workforce now come to the site by van and not by public transport.".
The first two phases of the development include a new build substation to be located on Bath Road; new purpose-built classrooms and performing arts studios in the rear zone of the site; creation of a new build studio theatre to world class standards. A new entrance canopy to the building and amended internal layout of foyer is also planned.
Phase 3 works involve the removal of the existing pitched roof to the main building and the addition of a new floor with additional dance and acting studios.
ArtsEd originated from two schools, one founded in 1919 by Grace Cone and one in 1922 by Olive Ripman.
It was known as Chiswick Polytechnic in the 1950s and adapted for the schools’ use on arrival on its current site in 1985.
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March 28, 2020
