London housing contractor works with major developing associations and boroughs
London and South-east housing contractor Higgins is to re-open the majority of its construction sites from next week after instituting new working practices to ensure social distancing.
The £280m-turnover contractor and developer, which works with developers and housing associations on new build, estate regeneration and refurbishment projects around London and the South-east, had previously announced that it was shutting all its sites in the wake of the coronavirus lockdown.
However, in recent days a number of major housebuilders, including Taylor Wimpey, Persimmon and Redrow, have announced plans to re-start construction work, while brickmakers have said they are re-starting production.
Yesterday Higgins said it will be opening “the majority” of its sites from May 4, “in accordance with strict government guidelines”, having put in place new procedures.
The announcement will be welcome news for Higgins’ clients, as a number of major housing associations, such as Catalyst, have had to halt schemes because contractors have been unable to ensure safe working on site.
Unions have hit out at the rush back to site, however, with Unite claiming that “dangerous” working practices were putting the safety of construction workers on residential sites at risk.
Higgins said in a statement that it will be encouraging staff to travel by car rather than on public transport and had brought in increased cleaning and hygiene facilities across all sites, with video inductions for staff showing how to minimise social interaction.
The firm said: “Health and safety remains our top priority and we have developed strict protocols which allow a graduated start on site for most of our projects whilst ensuring social distancing measures are adhered to.”
Higgins’ recent clients include London boroughs such as Hackney and Southwark, and housing associations such as L&Q, Swan and Catalyst.
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