Work recommences at St Michael’s Estate

WORK was due to get underway on the regeneration of St
Michael’s Estate in Inchicore after a termination notice was withdrawn by
Dublin City Council on Friday (February 24).

The council had terminated the contract for the
regeneration of the estate after it found that the balcony of a unit in one of
the new buildings had moved.

In November 2010, contractors Bam Buildings Ltd began
work on the project, which involved the construction of 75 housing units, a
community centre and crèche at a cost of e12 million.

Mark Ryan of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA)
told Southside People that it had instructed the local authority not to stop
building work on the site.

“We were notified about a dangerous occurrence on the
site where a balcony was found to have moved,

? he said.

“We sent an inspector
out. He didn’t close the site as a result of that dangerous occurrence but just
left an advice note.

?

A spokesman for Dublin City Council said it issued a
termination notice to the contractor on February 15 due to a number of health
and safety concerns it had relating to the project.

“However, following discussions with the contractor it
was agreed that we would withdraw the termination notice,

? a spokesperson said.

“Bam will immediately return to site and proceed with the works on St Michael’s
Estate.

“All matters which gave rise to this notice are being
addressed.

?

A spokesperson for Bam Building Ltd said that
following discussions with Dublin City Council it had been agreed that the
termination notice would be lifted and they would immediately return to the
site.

“All matters which gave rise to this notice are being
addressed and Bam is confident that health and safety will be managed in an
appropriate way,

? the spokesperson said.

“Bam acknowledges the importance that
the council has placed on health and safety matters.

“We have been in contact with the Health and Safety
Authority regarding the incident at issue and we will work closely with them to
maintain the highest standards of health and safety on the site.

?