Construction work on certain school projects in the north of Scotland will resume today.
Sites have been quiet for almost three months since lockdown was introduced but Hub North Scotland has confirmed it is ready to restart many of its “non-essential” sites.
The resumption of building projects has been made possible by the loosening of restrictions announced by the First Minister last week.
The construction projects that will once again get underway include sites such as Alness Academy, Dunoon Primary School, Lossiemouth High School, Linkwood Primary School and the Inverurie Community Campus.
Fraser Innes, operations director at Hub North Scotland, said the decision to start work again came after discussions between clients and contractors.
He said: “Our contractors are following the guidelines to ensure the sites have the appropriate hygiene and safe distancing measures to resume work safely.
“Our clients have been kept informed of all the steps being taken.”
Work on the £42 million replacement Lossiemouth High School had been progressing ahead of schedule prior to lockdown, despite issues including the liquidation of the project’s original ventilation contractor.
The new school is being constructed alongside the existing building, which will be demolished once the new facility opens.
It will have capacity for up to 800-pupils and will incorporate a community centre and library, swimming pool, games hall and 3G sports pitch.
The biggest of the construction projects is the £55 million Inverurie Community Campus, which will replace the current Inverurie Academy, community centre and swimming pool.
It will become home to 1,600 pupils and will also offer a wealth of sporting and community facilities.
They will include a 3G pitch, multi-use games area, a six-lane swimming pool, a hydrotherapy pool, a warm water pool and a training pool, together with a sports hall and community cafe.
In addition to the school projects, Hub North Scotland is leading work on two sites for community hospitals on behalf of NHS Highland, in Aviemore and in Broadford on Skye.
These projects, delivered by contractor Balfour Beatty, have continued during the restrictions as they were deemed essential.