JARROW MP Stephen Hepburn today denied backing the political ambitions of a businessman facing possible prosecution over damage to a housing headquarters in South Tyneside. John Robertson allegedly drove his 22ft lorry into Strathmore House, the base for South Tyneside Homes, at Viking Industrial Park, Jarrow, because he was angry after losing a contract, which he claims sparked the collapse of his scaffolding firm. Police have questioned and bailed Mr Robertson, of York Avenue, Jarrow, after he was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, following last month’s incident. He is due to answer police bail later this month. The 44-year-old is standing as an Independent candidate for the Primrose ward in Jarrow in next month’s local elections, and it had been reported elsewhere that Mr Hepburn has backed his bid. But that claim brought a swift denial from the Jarrow MP. Mr Hepburn told the Gazette: “It has been reported that I have provided a political reference to John Robertson as an Independent candidate in the local elections. This is totally inaccurate. “As a Labour MP, I only support Labour candidates. “I provided a personal reference to my constituent, only for the benefit of his solicitor, given the current criminal proceedings against Mr Robertson. “I am emphatically not supporting his election bid.” A police spokesman said: “A 44-year-old man from Jarrow has been questioned and bailed after a vehicle was driven into Strathmore House on March 20. “He was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.” Isobel Riley, chief executive for South Tyneside Homes, said: “We can confirm that our solicitors are in correspondence with Mr Robertson’s legal advisors regarding a contractual dispute. “We are, however, appalled that while waiting for the outcome of this dispute, Mr Robertson has apparently seen fit to take matters into his own hands by carrying out this damage to our premises at considerable cost to the public purse, causing inconvenience to our customers and stress to members of staff. “Reinstatement work of the building and reception area is still ongoing.” Via: www.shieldsgazette.com
His wagon flattened part of the South Tyneside Homes HQ in Jarrow when it ploughed into the entrance.
Mr Robertson, 44, claims he smashed into the building where dozens work after his contract was terminated by the housing company which, he said, led to his scaffolding firm going under.
Upset at losing his business, Mr Robertson said he drove into the grounds of Strathmore House at Viking Industrial Park and rammed into a company car.
He said he then reversed his 22ft company wagon into the entrance and did not stop until the whole vehicle was submerged.
The dad-of-four allegedly waited outside for the police to arrive so he could explain why he caused the damage.
Mr Robertson, from Jarrow, said: “I know what I did was wrong, but I did it anyway. They destroyed my business.
“I only had one customer, which was them, and we had an agreement that I had the exclusive rights to do all of their scaffolding work. I used to turn away business so I could dedicate myself to them.
“Then, one day, they called me up and said they weren’t going to use me anymore. Well, that was it for my company. I had to let all 20 workers go.”
Mr Robertson claims STH agreed a five-year contract with his Hebburn-based company, Robertson Scaffolding LTD, in 2008. He added STH terminated the contract in November last year.
Mr Robertson drove one of his wagons to the housing headquarters in Rolling Mill Road, which oversees housing repairs and maintenance across South Tyneside, including the Decent Homes programme.
After crashing into the building he was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage but has not yet been charged with any offences.
He is due to answer police bail later this month.
Mr Robertson, who lives with wife Susan in York Avenue, added: “When I drove over there I just wanted to leave my wagon in front of the entrance so they could see it in the morning.
“But then I saw an electric company car, so I smashed into it. After that looked at the entrance and decided to reverse into that as well.
“I waited outside and smoked two cigarettes until the police showed up.
“I had no intention of running away.
“I wanted to tell them what I did and why I did it.
“I told them everything in my police interview.”
Workers were drafted in on the morning after the accident to repair the damaged entrance.
A police spokeswoman said: “A 44-year-old man from Jarrow has been questioned and bailed after a vehicle was driven into Strathmoor House on March 20.
“He was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.”
A spokesman for STH refused to comment on claims the company terminated Mr Robertson’s contract, but chief executive Isobel Riley said: “We are currently assisting the police with their investigation into the incident.”
Some contractors have struggled to unravel what is classified as a “basic” scaffold and what is deemed more complicated requiring more detailed design work under the new standard.
The standard TG20:08 details how tube and fitting scaffolding can be erected to comply with the European standard BS EN 12811-1, which supersedes BS 5973.
It has been in force since the start of the year, but much of the industry is still in a muddle about the details that define how the design should be classified to comply with the new regulations.
The new guide has been issued by the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation in an effort to educate the wider industry and demystify TG20.
The interactive programme provides a 3D picture which can be edited, adapted and customised.
Once inputted scaffold managers and estimators can determine whether a scaffold passes or fails the criteria for a ‘basic scaffold’.
If it does not meet the criteria of a ‘basic scaffold’ the check clearly identifies where a scaffold does and does not meet the requirements allowing users to modify the design until compliant.
It can be directly ordered from the NASC by visiting 
Police were forced to close the roads near the building on Harton Staithes at about noon yesterday, over fears the scaffolding could pose a risk to passing motorists and pedestrians.
Firefighters were on standby as workers battled against the strong winds to make the steel structure safe, while traffic was diverted away from the building.
Lorry driver Billy Carruthers, 49, from Sunderland, said: “There has been a bit of a hold-up and no doubt it’s inconvenient for all of us on the road.
“But it could be dangerous if something falls, and they have to keep the place safe.”
A police spokesman confirmed the roads were re-opened at around 1pm after the scaffolding was made secure.
The controversial building on the Riverside is a joint venture between South Tyneside Council and BT.
As part of a strategic partnership between the pair, the telecoms giant agreed to set up its regional headquarters on the riverside location at South Shields.
However, the siting of the building has not been without criticism with fears it will block the view of the riverside.
Via: www.shieldsgazette.com 
The London firm building the 20ft-high structure first erected it in the Cambridgeshire countryside before attempting to create the “best view in the house” outside Westminster Abbey.
The scaffold, to hold 33 TV and radio staff, plus press photographers from around the world, is nearly complete.
A prime spot has been secured by the Standard to ensure readers see the best pictures of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s April 29 wedding. The 24-ton steel structure consists of about 2,000 pieces of German-made scaffolding.
Geoff Tyler, general manager of Croydon-based Media Structures, said: “We built the whole thing in a Cambridgeshire field in one month.
“We rented the field off a farmer to ensure everything was perfect. There are a lot of different platform levels and we wanted to resolve any issues before getting to the Abbey.”
Every detail was recreated in the field beside the Fens near Soham.
The structure is so big a construction licence was needed by Westminster council before 15 men could begin assembling it.
The scaffold will be covered in plywood and painted in a Cumberland stone finish to match surrounding buildings in Victoria Street and the handrails will be painted silver. A technical firm will ensure the ceremony can be broadcast in high definition.
The firm, which impressed with its work at events such as Wimbledon and Trooping The Colour, is building an even bigger media village for 3,000 near Buckingham Palace. Other broadcast structures are being built on the procession route.
Via: www.thisislondon.co.uk 
Builder and fitter John Ingram was refurbishing an agricultural building in Hertfordshire last March when he fell from a tower scaffold erected on top of a freight container.
Mr Ingram, 55, of Lode, suffered facial fractures and was in a coma for several days.
He was unable to work for eight months following the incident.
His employer Balsham (Buildings) Ltd of High Street, Balsham, appeared at Watford Magistrates’ Court today and admitted four breaches of health and safety legislation.
The company was fined £14,000 and told to pay £8832.30 costs.
Via: www.cambridgefirst.co.uk 
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector visited a residential property in Alma Road, Plymouth on 16 March 2009 and found several basic safety failings in scaffolding erected by Arthur John Tucker for roofing work.
Plymouth Magistrates Court heard only one guard rail was found on the working platform that required two, no safety harnesses were used to erect the scaffold and an unsecured scaffold pole was resting on a broken concrete block wall.
HSE served a prohibition notice ordering work to stop and Mr Tucker was also served with an improvement notice to undertake training in scaffolding safety, which he had not previously done.
Despite these orders inspectors returning to the site found Mr Tucker had failed to carry out the training under and were forced to prosecute.
Mr Tucker, of Skylark Rise, Woolwell, Plymouth pleaded guilty to contravening the requirements of an Improvement Notice to provide sufficient training for himself and his employee under Section 33 (1) (g) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. He was given a conditional discharge and ordered to pay £2,108 in costs. The magistrates also ordered Mr Tucker to complete the additional training for himself and his employees within 18 months of the hearing.
After sentencing, HSE Inspector, Barry Trudgian, said:
“It is absolutely imperative that scaffolding is erected safely by well trained workers to avoid often catastrophic incidents.
“Mr Tucker not only illustrated his lack of professionalism when the scaffolding was erected but he then ignored a legal order intended to increase his competence. He has found today that compliance with these notices is compulsory, not optional.
“Proper training in scaffolding techniques would have easily avoided the basic mistakes made and created a much safer environment for his own workers and the roofers relying on his workmanship.”
Via: HSE (Press Release)