apparently the reason the piping is going along the wall above skirting is because its as I thought it would be... Convenience .
In other words, get in & get out as soon as possible or in the area managers words the shortest possible run with minimum disruption.
So basically had he taken up the carpet and floorboards before they arrived they would have probably took the pipes under the floorboards.
So anyone getting a gov grant CH system installed and you know where the radiators are being sited take up the carpet&floorboard/s where possible the day before they arrive,otherwise you'll end up with a pile of sh**e like this going across your wall.