The proposal, which was made to the Turkish deputy prime minister last week, is backed by the DETR and a consortium of contractors and consultants.
The move follows last month’s construction trade mission to Turkey, during which Raynsford met Turkish officials and offered technical help to repair earthquake damage.
The initiative will involve the preparation of infrastructure design drawings, as well as designs and specifications for new houses and commercial buildings. However, the consortium will not provide construction materials, and has no plans to get involved in immediate relief efforts.
The consortium, which will be chaired by Lawrence Hoskins, Balfour Beatty’s major projects managing director, consists of representatives from Amec, Balfour Beatty, Bovis, Hyder, Laing, Ove Arup & Partners, Taylor Woodrow and Thames Water.
The consortium was scheduled to hold its first meeting this week to discuss an action plan. It is understood that a team could be sent to Adapazari next month.
Hoskins said he hoped that the gesture would result in a number of construction contracts for British companies.
He said: “We will put the effort in and hope it will lead to business. We are all companies that exist to provide work for our employees and benefit for our shareholders. If the results of our efforts were turned into work for other European companies, it would be a real disappointment.”
A spokesperson for the Turkish Embassy in London welcomed the initiative but added that Turkey’s immediate need was temporary accommodation for people whose homes were destroyed: “Winter is coming and the tent cities are having trouble because of the wind and the rain. At the moment, we have a total of 113 869 tents with four to six people living in each tent,” he said.
Hoskins added: “There are three phases to the rebuilding of Turkey. The first was to provide tents for the homeless; the second is to provide temporary accommodation; and the third is concerned with rebuilding towns for the future. We are concerned with the third phase, which is providing a long-term solution.”
The Turkish government has not yet responded to the UK proposal.
