Did Britain really "grind to a halt" during the fuel crisis? Despite the hype, for m&e contractors, it was pretty much business as usual says Richard Lafferty.
"I am listening". So Tony Blair, perspiring like a guilty schoolboy threatened with the cane, reassured a nation. He continued: "For hauliers and farmers, to say nothing of ordinary motorists, there is real hardship." But what about electrical and mechanical contractors? How did they cope during the chaos of the fuel crisis?

Surprisingly well, in fact. Despite widespread reports of Britain "grinding to a halt", most specialists interviewed by EMC in the wake of the crisis were remarkably laconic.

David Hill, md of Hills Electrical & Mechanical, said: Talking to main contractors, the overall impression is that subcontractors who deliver, like us, continued to deliver, whereas subcontractors who always look for excuses looked for an excuse here."

Things were no worse in Middlesborough, with Rotrax Engineering Services reporting "very little" disruption.

Down in London, Raytell Electrical's boss Terry Deacon admitted "several people couldn't get to work", but his general tone remained philosophical. "People manage," he mused, "it's not the end of the world."

However, he fired a broadside at Blair and Brown over the wider issue of fuel prices. "We're over-charged. And quite justified in making a stand."

Deacon believes the whole economy would benefit from a reduction in fuel tax. "It could only improve trade. And cheaper fuel would mean lower bus fares – it might encourage more people to use them!" He stressed that the government is obliged to respond to pressure and has to start "doing the things people elected it to do".

Hill agrees, saying: "I feel that the best we can ask from Government is that they give us a level field on which to play. If there are unpredictable variations in any factors then planning for the medium term is made more difficult."

But for those worried about renewed action, Deacon echoed the words of Corporal Jones: "Don't panic! Half the problem wouldn't have happened in the first place, if people hadn't got so paranoid."

But in spite of what appears an admirably laid-back attitude, reports from the Construction Products Association suggest the two-day mayhem cost the industry £200 million.

Roger Knowles, chairman and chief executive of construction contract consultants James R Knowles reported: "Delays to completion resulting from the fuel crisis may only amount to a few days at the most.

"However, with liquidated damages often included in contracts at many thousands of pounds a day, the matter will no doubt have substantial effects for some contractors and subcontractors."

This sombre tone was echoed by Ken Tracey, commercial officer of the ECA, mid-dispute. "The current shortage of vehicle fuel at service stations may well affect the attendance of labour and/or the manufacture and delivery of materials and equipment to site, resulting in delays to your sub-contract works," he warned.

Tracey reminds ECA members of the importance of giving written notice to the main contractor of the cause of a delay when it becomes reasonably apparent.

This notice should contain the cause of delay, with reference to the relevant event contained in the particular sub-contract – ie civil commotion and the subsequent inability to secure labour/materials.

It should also give particulars (or an estimate) of the effect the delay will have on the works and a request for an extension of time and the calculation of a revised date for completion.

A final word from David Hill confirms the electrical industry's contempt for the disruption: "A side-effect of the crisis was that non-essential meetings were cancelled, people spent more time in the office and excuses for not completing paperwork were removed.

"From that point of view it was a jolly good thing."