The new Berkeley school site is not the first major Government project to to go awry during recent years.

In fact, it is among many developments, both private and public, that have been hit by delays, cash-flow problems and staff shortages.

The United Bermuda Party was in charge when the $40 million Westgate Prison project was hit by security delays in 1994, which put back the opening by 11 months.

When CedarBridge Academy was built five years' ago, contractors had to scramble to complete the main building in time for the September 1997 opening.

The opening was delayed by a couple of weeks, although when it did open on September 22, it was without a school field and slat house (type of greenhouse), the design and technology facilities were not finished, and the auditorium was not available.

In that case, the building was not handed over to Government until August, when it had originally been planned for June.

Other developments that have suffered long delays are the National Stadium, the new low cost housing development at Southside, the refurbishment of Bermuda International Airport, Dellwood Middle School, and a private condominium development by Sealand Construction on Harbour Road, to name but a few.

And school refurbishments have also caused some delays to the start of term for students.