The Department of Labour’s (DoL’s) inquiry into the causes of the M1 Grayston Drive pedestrian and cyclist structural bridge collapse has been postponed until March 27, 2017.
The inquiry had been set to resume on Monday and continue until September 6, but the DoL had received a short-notice request for additional information from expert witness mechanical engineer Gary Farrow, who was representing construction company Form-Scaff.
Engineering firm Murray & Roberts had requested additional information from Farrow, which he could not deliver in time for the sitting.
“We did not want to prejudice the Form-Scaff witness by subjecting him to intense interrogation without enough time to prepare,” DoL presiding officer Lennie Samuel explained.
He added that the commission would be faced with added pressure next year owing to the time delay.
“I appeal to all affected parties to commit to time schedules when requested to submit statements and reports, so as to mitigate further delays,” he said.
The collapse of the M1 Grayston Drive pedestrian and cyclist structural bridge collapse led to the death of two people and injury to 19 others.