Daniel Zeichner MP Standing up for Cambridge
Daniel Zeichner, MP for Cambridge, has today reacted to revelations that the opening of the new Royal Papworth Hospital will be delayed by several months due to fears that fire safety standards have not been met by construction company, Skanska. Mr Zeichner has responded to the news with disappointment for staff and patients, and has posed questions to Skanska as to when it was identified that the material used was combustible.
Mr Zeichner said: “It is extremely disappointing to hear that today’s announcement is going to delay the opening of Royal Papworth Hospital after all the anticipation and planning for September. It is concerning that the delay is due to fire safety standards not being met in regards to the use of combustible cladding.”
“To me, this seems to be another example of private companies letting down the public. I am very concerned about the impact that is going to have on staff. What I want to know is, how long has Skanska been aware of this safety failure and what do they plan to do to rectify this huge mistake?”
It has been announced that the cladding, used on the lower part of the new £165 million building, does not meet the original fire safety specifications. The material used for the insulation has been deemed to be combustible.