Parents and pupils in East Dunbartonshire face serious disruption this year after a huge private sector project to build six new secondary schools has been hit by delays.

SNP MSP Gil Paterson claims the completion of the major private finance project could be delayed by several months and could also end up with losses to the public purse because of possible compensation wrangles.

The council admits that there is a problem but says suggestions that delays could run into several months are simply speculation on the part of the MSP.

Mr Paterson claims that Bearsden Academy, Douglas Academy, Kirkintilloch High, Bishopbriggs Academy, St Ninian's High and Turnbull High will not be ready on their scheduled dates this year of between April and summer and that they could be up to six months late. He is concerned about disruption for pupils, particularly for those who are sitting Standard Grades and Highers should the schools be completed late.

The schools are being built by contractors Morgan Ashurst in conjunction with East Dunbartonshire Council and an umbrella company, InspirED. Major construction firm AMEC were involved in the initial contract but sold out their share and are no longer involved.

Under the PPP contract the council should have been informed three months before final delivery that the projects were on track. That deadline has passed, indicating that it is running late - but the council does not yet know how late.

Mr Paterson said: "If these schools are delayed then not only will pupils be facing massive disruption but yet again a PPP contract will cost the tax payer millions. I thought we had learned all we needed to learn from past PFI/PPP mistakes when drafting contracts but no, another badly drafted contract will mean that services will be put in danger and have to be cut to pay for the compensation."

Mr Paterson claims that when such contracts break down, there is inevitably claim and counter claim about who is to blame, and understands that the consortium is likely to blame the local authority and claim damages.

A spokewoman for East Dunbartonshire Council said last night: "The council is in a contract with inspirED to deliver six new schools throughout 2009. Gil Paterson has been advised that the contractor is required to inform the council three months prior to the availability date for each school, if it is on schedule. We await confirmation from the contractor, and once any information on availability is available it will be communicated to the elected members then the school, parents and pupils."

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