Update about construction on campus

Published: 4 June 2020

An update on our construction projects and plans to resume some work onsite in coming weeks

As you will be aware, in March we halted all construction work on the developments taking place across campus.

This included work on the James McCune Smith Learning Hub on University Avenue, as well as the Research Hub and Clarice Pears Building on the Western site. It also meant we paused the infrastructure works which were improving the urban realm around University Avenue and University Place. 

Since then our projects have remained on pause, with only essential personnel allowed onsite. 

With the recent announcement by the Scottish Government that we have entered Phase 1 of the recovery route map, we can now start to engage in site preparations, with a view towards restarting onsite in a reduced capacity when allowed to do so.

Initially, we are planning to restart work on three priority projects - the James McCune Smith Learning Hub, the Research Hub the infrastructure work that is improving the realm around University Avenue, University Place and the Western site.

These projects will:

  • Complete the JMSLH in time to open in January;
  • Continue construction on the Research Hub, on the Western site;
  • Complete traffic signals and another key phase of resurfacing along the length on University Avenue;
  • Complete improvement works to University Place;
  • Deliver key utilities to the Western site and complete hard landscaping of the site. 

As with any construction work, health and safety is our number one priority. However due to the current environment we are, together with our contractors, putting in place significant extra measures to ensure the welfare of our workers and local community.

Over the lockdown period we have been working on developing robust procedures through which we can restart, whilst adhering to proper social distancing and other enhanced safety measures. We will now begin to test these in practice and in phases.

Multiplex have made significant changes to their operations to support physical distancing measures onsite, including:

  • Two-metre physical distancing policy;
  • Training and briefings;
  • A one-way system;
  • Hand hygiene facilities at key points; 
  • Additional welfare and toilet facilities;
  • Rotas and home working where possible for office staff.

The delivery of these projects is vitally important for the University and the wider city, and they will ensure that we are able to deliver the best possible support and facilities for our students as we continue to emerge from lockdown. The James McCune Smith Learning Hub will be a hugely important facility for our students, particularly those who find it difficult, or impossible, to study at home and for whom the lockdown period has been an especially trying time. 

We appreciate that any construction work has the potential to cause disruption for people living and working in the area and we are also conscious that the current lockdown measures mean people are spending more time in their homes. Please be assured that we are doing everything possible to undertake this work with the minimum disruption, and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

If anyone has concerns over the working practices onsite, they can contact the Multiplex team directly at https://campusdevelopment.co.uk/get-in-touch/.


First published: 4 June 2020