Latest news with #Reigart
Daily Record
02-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
First group of residents return home following fatal Perth blaze
Demolition work carried out allowed residents of 36 Scott Street to return to their homes on Thursday June 26. The first group of Scott Street residents displaced by the fire in a nearby tenement block have been able to return to their homes. The fire destroyed 41 Scott Street and ongoing demolition work means it is unsafe for other nearby residents and businesses to return to their homes and premises. However, progress on the demolition work allowed residents of 36 Scott Street to return to their homes on Thursday. PKC deputy leader, and councillor for the Perth City Centre ward, Eric Drysdale said: 'The fire at Scott Street was tragic and the consequences will be felt for a long time to come. One person died and others were injured while 55 households were displaced because of it. 'Council staff have been working hard to find accommodation for these people and demolition contractors Reigart have been striving to bring 41 Scott Street down to a safe level that will start allowing people to return to their homes. 'It is great that these efforts mean 15 households are now back in their homes. 'I am sure they felt a real mix of emotions and that is why the Red Cross had staff on hand to provide support to those who needed it on Thursday. 'I would like, once again, to thank everyone who has been working hard on behalf of those affected by the fire – whether they are frontline workers, partner agencies or the people and businesses who have shown such tremendous generosity and concern.' Tesco, Edinburgh Road, donated 15 bags of essential goods to families returning to their homes on Thursday while the Crieff Road branch has also donated vouchers. A host of other businesses including The Ship Inn and Willows have also made donations, while The Salutation Hotel has been providing accommodation for affected residents since the fire. A crowdfunder set up by Perth resident Nicola Bell has raised nearly £6,000. She will work with Perth and Kinross Council to distribute any funds raised. On Wednesday, Perth and Kinross Council agreed to provide an emergency £250,000 funding to support residents and businesses. The Scottish Government has agreed to open the Bellwin Scheme, which provides emergency funding to local authorities. Reigart Contracts Ltd have been working on the demolition of 41 Scott Street since the fire. The company has previously been responsible for dismantling damaged parts of the Mackintosh building after the Glasgow School of Art was damaged by fire. A spokesperson for the firm said: 'We're pleased to report that as of Thursday, June 26 2025, residents of 36 Scott Street have returned safely to their homes. 'This follows two weeks of continuous demolition and safety works in conjunction with G3 Consulting Engineers and Perth and Kinross Council. 'Our operatives will continue working on Saturday (and will return on Monday June 30) where the works to the South Street elevation will be our main focus.' Perth and Kinross also hosted two drop-in sessions, on Tuesday and Friday, at its offices at 2 High Street for those affected by the fire this week. Last Friday's event supported by Pete Wishart MP and John Swinney MSP focused on insurance. Senior representatives from the Association of British Insurers (ABI), AVIVA and Perth and Kinross Council (PKC) were in attendance. Mr Wishart said: 'This was a really constructive meeting. The sheer range of issues that people are experiencing as a result of the fire was apparent, and a testament to what a hugely complex situation this is. 'I am pleased that clarity was able to be provided on most questions raised. However, given how dynamic the operation is, there were also a number of points that require further consideration and discussion as we move forward. 'As such, all stakeholders have committed to working together within our various responsibilities in the months ahead, in order to deal with this as swiftly and effectively as possible, and to minimise the burden on impacted residents during this most difficult time. 'The whole of Perth has rallied together following this horrific incident to support those impacted. 'We must ensure that all insurance companies are assisting their customers in that same spirit, by handling their claims swiftly and compassionately.' Mr Swinney added: 'The purpose of the meeting was to facilitate direct dialogue between residents and businesses with the relevant authorities, and to help them navigate through the various hurdles they are encountering. 'A range of topics were discussed, with a particular focus on insurance, including insurers' responsibilities when handling claims, consumer rights, and other forms of support that can accessed. 'This will inevitably be a hugely challenging period ahead for those impacted, and I will therefore be working closely with stakeholders to make sure that my constituents are fully supported in overcoming the challenges they face.'
Glasgow Times
12-06-2025
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow council 'fails to enforce law' on dump site years on
The railway cutting in North Glasgow, behind Claddens Street, has been a fly-tipping site for more than two decades, causing a headache for locals. Emails obtained exclusively through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed that the council has been in communication with Reigart Contracts Ltd - the owner of the site - since September 2017. Kenny Nisbet and Dorothy McFarland (Image: Colin Mearns) Glasgow council fails to enforce law on dump site years on (Image: Newsquest) (Image: Colin Mearns) The local authority first threatened to enforce Section 59 of the Environmental Protection Act of 1990 on February 8, 2018, saying it would make the move the next week. According to this law, the council can serve a notice to the occupier of the land to clean up the waste. Four days later, a Reigart representative called this action "unnecessary" and asked for a phone call. After this, there was a discussion between the parties about a cleanup. However, those who live in the area claim this never happened. The emails also revealed that council employees repeatedly admitted the dumping had "become an issue" and locals were pushing for action. Throughout this exchange, officials also stated they are keen to "maintain positive dialogue" with the firm. Since then, the local authority has also attempted to get in touch with the company multiple times without success. Residents are outraged at the lack of follow-through and say the emails are an "absolute waste of time and money" without any results. Parkhouse Community Council member Kenny Nisbet said: "It's just ridiculous. For 20 years, we have been going on about this. "We have been trying for a long time but they kept refusing to do it. "The maddening thing is, the company is not even based in Glasgow, they are from Coatbridge." In 2024, in an email to Mr Nisbet, an environmental health officer said the team has "taken the decision to also look at alternative solutions to enforcement for the disused railway". READ NEXT: We visited a notorious fly-tipping site - it's shocking what we found there 'It's appalling': Residents fume at lack of action on historic fly-tipping site (Image: Colin Mearns) (Image: Colin Mearns) (Image: Colin Mearns) The community council has been asking for a proper cleanup for decades and said they feel like "hitting their heads off a brick wall" trying to force the council to serve the notice, which they are legally entitled to do. Mr Nisbet, a resident of more than 50 years, confirmed he has submitted several complaints to the council about the handling of the case and has contacted six local politicians and several public health groups and organisations. A major worry of the group is that, along with household items such as wardrobes, garbage and pieces of furniture, unknown and potentially dangerous substances are also being left at the site. When the Glasgow Times visited the area, which is a former railway cutting, it was littered with dumped objects, including an ironing board, a scooter, Christmas trees and more. (Image: Colin Mearns) (Image: Colin Mearns) A council spokesperson said: 'Fly-tipping has unfortunately been a long-standing issue at this disused railway line in the Parkhouse area. 'It appears that a number of residents in adjoining properties dump waste from their gardens into the former railway cutting and waste is also fly-tipped at other points along this space. 'Due to the steep embankment and the thick overgrowth, removing fly-tipped waste from this site raises highly challenging health and safety risks for staff. 'However, we have previously worked with the major owner of the site to remove waste from the railway line and would do so again in future. 'We understand the ambition of the major owner is to develop the site for housing but we are unaware of any proposals at this stage. 'We will continue to engage with residents to ensure their waste is disposed of properly. 'Where evidence is secured that identifies those responsible for any fly-tipping incident, including eye witness accounts, we will take enforcement action.'
