3rd March 2009, 02:29 PM
Posted by Bob:
Despite what is said in the article, we aren't only talking about PFI schemes. I am aware of at least one large infrastructure project that was always going to be government-funded, but not due for construction until 2011 at the earliest, that has been brought forward and told to spend at least ?100 million this year. The decision was made in December, and the job is already on the ground, with tenders out for large-scale archaeological work.
These accelerated projects are a mixed blessing for archaeology and for the wider environment. OK, the emergency funding does secure archaeological jobs. However, some of these projects had existing commitments to extended programmes of non-intrusive surveys, followed by trial trenching, followed by mitigation design, including substantial excavations in advance of construction, all spread over a year or more. Most of that work will still happen, but compressed into a much shorter period, and I don't think that is necessarily good for the quality of work, or the quality of the decision-making processes involved. Similar comments could be made in relation to protected species, habitats, etc.
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished
Quote:quote:And of course by selling the houses, the state would recoup the money invested.Not really - none of these are housing projects; we are talking about things like incinerators, hospitals and roads.
Despite what is said in the article, we aren't only talking about PFI schemes. I am aware of at least one large infrastructure project that was always going to be government-funded, but not due for construction until 2011 at the earliest, that has been brought forward and told to spend at least ?100 million this year. The decision was made in December, and the job is already on the ground, with tenders out for large-scale archaeological work.
These accelerated projects are a mixed blessing for archaeology and for the wider environment. OK, the emergency funding does secure archaeological jobs. However, some of these projects had existing commitments to extended programmes of non-intrusive surveys, followed by trial trenching, followed by mitigation design, including substantial excavations in advance of construction, all spread over a year or more. Most of that work will still happen, but compressed into a much shorter period, and I don't think that is necessarily good for the quality of work, or the quality of the decision-making processes involved. Similar comments could be made in relation to protected species, habitats, etc.
1man1desk
to let, fully furnished