PFI Contractor fences off local playing field

5.36.23pm GMT Tue 5th Aug 2003

The controversial contracting company, Jarvis - which came to national prominence because of its role in the Hatfield rail crash - is now the centre of a new controversy. It has erected a large fence around the popular Fortescue Field, part of St James School Twickenham - where Jarvis is the PFI (Private Finance Initiative) Contractor - but widely used by local people as a playing field.

Vincent Cable MP, Twickenham

MP Vincent Cable has taken up the issue with the local council's education department - which has declined to accept responsibility - and the company. He expressed concern that: "under the PFI contract Jarvis have acquired ownership of the land as well as school buildings for 30 years."

"They appear to be unaware, or don't care, that the adjacent fields have long been used by the local community and provide much needed playing space for children in the area".

"If the company is concerned about security, then an arrangement could possibly be agreed with local residents for access with a key".

"But this is a warning of some of the problems which can arise on PFI contracts. PFI offers a way for councils and the NHS to finance new buildings; but one of the costs is that they loose control of the assets. In cases like this the consequences can be serious by cutting across informal understandings on public access".