Mridan » Travelogue Entry » Wet weather brings MSPs bubble trouble

Wet weather brings MSPs bubble trouble

MSPs today called into question the design of Holyrood’s controversial “think bubble” windows after a spate of leaks during the recent bad weather.

Some politicians had to use buckets to catch water coming into their offices via the jagged-shaped sit-in windows, which have become an icon of the 431 million Scottish Parliament building.

Tory MSP Ted Brocklebank said there was a persistent drip from the lower edge of the overhang, the same spot where padded strips were installed to stop MSPs bumping their heads as they lean forward in the window seat.

He said: “Every time it rains there’s a drip, drip, drip.

“It first happened in September and they came and put a bit of Sellotape on it. But sticking plaster is not going to stop this if there is heavy rain.”

He said the fact several MSPs had reported leaks in a similar place suggested it was a fault which went right back to the design of the windows, which cost more than 17,000 a piece.

Architect Enric Miralles envisaged that the windows would allow MSPs to contemplate as they looked towards Salisbury Crags.

But Mr Brocklebank said: “One of the first questions I asked when I saw the building was whether special steps had been taken in view of the Scottish winter.

“Everywhere you look in this building there are peaks and troughs and angles. It was obvious there was going to be problems with water. It’s just asking for trouble.”

He said he feared rainwater could be building up inside the jutting-out wall of the windows.

“That means there is the threat of dry rot or wet rot setting in. It’s where water can lie that these things can start.”

There was also a leak from a roof light in the black and white foyer, where MSPs and ministers mingle on their way in and out of the debating chamber.

A blue bucket was placed underneath to catch the drips with a “Caution - wet floor” sign next to it.

One MSP’s aide said: “When we reported our leak, we were told there had been lots of similar calls.”

Tory deputy leader Murdo Fraser said his office had also been affected. He said: “It is extraordinary that more than two years after we moved in we are still finding quite serious snagging problems like this.

“It raises questions about both the design and craftsmanship of the building.

“Considering how much it cost, it’s extremely disappointing we are having problems like this.”

Liberal Democrat MSP Donald Gorrie said: “It’s typical if these completely useless bits of the think pods, which spoil them anyway, are now leaking.”

And he said having a bucket catching drips right outside the debating chamber was embarrassing for the parliament.

A Scottish Parliament spokesman said: “Eleven minor leaks were reported yesterday.

“It has yet to be established if there is a common problem with the leaks following heavy rain.”