Nemesis
Member
- Messages
- 9,402
- Location
- Planet Earth
Possibly not the most eco-friendly of decisions:
http://www.qsweek.com/nav?page=qsweek.news.main&resource=6953397&view_resource=6953397
News - 15/08/2007 - G&T’s eco credentials questioned
Gardiner & Theobald’s social responsibility has been called into question over a decision to send stone earmarked for a major retail scheme on a gas-guzzling road trip to Italy for cutting.
The £350 million Bath SouthGate project has been rocked by a decision to send local stone on a 2,500-mile round trip to Italy, pumping 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Bath City MP Don Foster said: “There are firms in the UK capable of cutting this stone and stopping a round trip of thousands of miles with a linked huge environmental impact”, he said.
“I would need an absolute assurance that this job couldn’t be done in the UK before I could event remotely begin to understand why this plan is being considered.
“…firms also have to consider their social responsibility. I would urge those involved that if the work must go abroad, they must ensure there is no way of doing this job in the UK”.
Multi Development, the company behind the scheme, has admitted 5,500 tonnes of stone sourced from local quarries will be carted by road to Tuscan stonemasons for cutting.
It will then be hauled back to the UK to Lincolnshire where the stone will be fixed to concrete panels ready for use at SouthGate.
G&T has told QSW it stands by Multi Development’s argument that the Tuscan stonemasons offer “quality, skill, experience and market competitiveness”. It also insisted the decision to hire Italian expertise was a matter for Sir Robert McAlpine, the main contractor.
The stone will be transported on 125 lorries which Friends of the Earth estimates will spew out 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Foster has described this decision as “totally bizarre” and has pledged to challenge Multi over whether Tuscan stonemasons have the expertise to cut Bath stone.
By Clive Walker
http://www.qsweek.com/nav?page=qsweek.news.main&resource=6953397&view_resource=6953397
News - 15/08/2007 - G&T’s eco credentials questioned
Gardiner & Theobald’s social responsibility has been called into question over a decision to send stone earmarked for a major retail scheme on a gas-guzzling road trip to Italy for cutting.
The £350 million Bath SouthGate project has been rocked by a decision to send local stone on a 2,500-mile round trip to Italy, pumping 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Bath City MP Don Foster said: “There are firms in the UK capable of cutting this stone and stopping a round trip of thousands of miles with a linked huge environmental impact”, he said.
“I would need an absolute assurance that this job couldn’t be done in the UK before I could event remotely begin to understand why this plan is being considered.
“…firms also have to consider their social responsibility. I would urge those involved that if the work must go abroad, they must ensure there is no way of doing this job in the UK”.
Multi Development, the company behind the scheme, has admitted 5,500 tonnes of stone sourced from local quarries will be carted by road to Tuscan stonemasons for cutting.
It will then be hauled back to the UK to Lincolnshire where the stone will be fixed to concrete panels ready for use at SouthGate.
G&T has told QSW it stands by Multi Development’s argument that the Tuscan stonemasons offer “quality, skill, experience and market competitiveness”. It also insisted the decision to hire Italian expertise was a matter for Sir Robert McAlpine, the main contractor.
The stone will be transported on 125 lorries which Friends of the Earth estimates will spew out 500 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Foster has described this decision as “totally bizarre” and has pledged to challenge Multi over whether Tuscan stonemasons have the expertise to cut Bath stone.
By Clive Walker