Edinburgh council apologises as Boroughmuir High School extension delayed over 'material and labour shortage'

Plans to add more than a dozen new classrooms to a prominent Edinburgh secondary school have been delayed over supply chain issues.

In a letter to parents, City of Edinburgh Council apologised following the setback at Boroughmuir High and confirmed the extension would not be finished in time for the return of pupils in August.

The £4m development, which is designed to help the institution cater for a further 300 pupils, was initially greenlit in 2019, but did not officially get under way until April 2021 due to the Covid pandemic.

It was scheduled for completion this month, but the local authority has warned “further delays remain a risk” just six weeks before students start the new term.

They added all council projects had been subjected to “significant delays” in recent months.

An official opening date will now be revisited after the beginning of the new academic year next month.

The letter read: “Due to ongoing issues with labour and material shortages in the construction sector, the contractor is not able to provide us with an exact date when the extension will be completed.

“We will not be confirming an opening date for the extension but can assure you that we are working with the contractor to make sure the project is finished as quickly as possible.

“We understand this situation is unsettling and apologise for the ongoing issues. The school has worked hard to put appropriate contingencies in place to ensure there are no negative impacts on learning and teaching.”

It comes just weeks after the replacement for Meadowbank Stadium had its opening date confirmed following months of delays caused by similar issues.

Boroughmuir was relocated to its current home in 2018 but an expanding pupil roll means further space for students is required.

The extension project will add a further 12 classrooms and studio space for physical and drama education.

Councillor Joan Griffiths, education convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I realise that parents will be disappointed to hear that the extension to the school won’t be completed for the start of the new term in August.

“I want to reassure parents that we are working with the contractor to make sure the project is finished as quickly as possible and the school has worked hard to put appropriate contingencies in place to ensure there are no negative impacts on learning and teaching.”