Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
UK Construction News Archive for December 2008
19/12/2008
Experienced project managers have been invited to bid to help oversee the building of Crossrail, Europe's largest construction Transport Minister Andrew Adonis announced today. The Department for Transport has issued an Invitation to Tender for a team of highly skilled project management profession
19/12/2008
Plans to revamp Surrey's network of fire stations to improve emergency cover in the county were today given provisional approval by county decision-makers. The announcement will see Surrey Fire and Rescue Service go ahead with detailed research between now and summer 2009 to: identify better locati
19/12/2008
Derbyshire County Council has chosen Equitix as the preferred bidder to work in partnership with the authority to build the first six schools in the Government's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. Schools to be transformed with Equitix in the first £77 million phase are; Bolsover, He
19/12/2008
Carlisle City Council will not be progressing with its planning application for a change of use of the land behind John Street Hostel, from a car park to a proposed Homelessness Centre of Excellence providing short-term accommodation for Women and families. The decision was taken in light of new in
19/12/2008
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is urging companies to carry out full risk assessments and ensure dangerous machinery is properly safeguarded, following the sentencing of an East Sussex company today over a workplace injury. Britannia Superfine Ltd, based in Chaucer Industrial Estate, Polegat
19/12/2008
Seven of Europe's biggest construction companies are to bid to build a key element of the new rail link to Glasgow Airport. A shortlist of BMV (Balfour Beatty, Morgan Est and Vinci joint venture), Carillion, Morrison Construction and Roadbridge/Sisk has been selected to bid for the construction of
18/12/2008
A consultation exercise by the company behind the proposed Oxfordshire eco town has been described as a 'spectacular own goal' by district and county councillors. More than 80% of people who responded said they were opposed to the controversial green field location for 15,000 new homes at Weston Ot
18/12/2008
Housing Minister Margaret Beckett has set out the Government's proposals for making all new homes zero carbon from 2016. More than 25% of the UK's carbon emissions are produced by our housing, and with the Government committed to reducing carbon emissions by 80% by 2050, both existing and new homes
18/12/2008
Gross mortgage lending reached an estimated £14.6 billion in November according to the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). This is a 22% fall from October and a 51% fall from November last year. While there is typically a decline from October to November, this is considerably larger than usual refl
18/12/2008
Construction union UCATT has welcomed the vote in the European Parliament by MEPs in favour of ending Britain's opt-out from the EU working time directive. Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of UCATT, said: "This is excellent news. In construction the long hours culture literally kills workers. People
18/12/2008
A new scheme designed to help kick-start interest in empty homes across Arun has been set up by the Council. With the housing market suffering amidst the global financial crisis, the new scheme is hoping to stimulate the local market by bringing interested buyers and willing sellers together more
18/12/2008
Galliford Try has announced its appointment as preferred bidder for a £25 million contract to provide 178 mixed tenure apartments for One Housing Group in Stratford, East London. The enabling works will commence in early 2009 with completion due early in 2012. The scheme embraces sustainable const
18/12/2008
A young couple have bought their first home, a brand new Lovell home, thanks to the Homestep low-cost home ownership scheme introduced by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council working in partnership with Lovell on the company's brand new development in Maes Ifor, Taffs Well. To mark the occasion, Paul Binding
18/12/2008
Shepherd Construction recently marked the first step of completion at their Taylors site in Harrogate by placing the famous Yorkshire Tea tipping teapot clock on the East elevation of the new build. The teapot, which weighs upwards of two hundred kilograms was strategically lifted into place over t
17/12/2008
Ofgem has been accused by the National Housing Federation (NHF) of condemning vulnerable customers to a 'miserable Christmas' by failing again to force the big energy companies to stop charging poor customers who use prepayment meters more for their fuel than the more affluent. Ofgem claimed that i
17/12/2008
The Home Builders Federation (HBF) has told MPs that the Government had been far too slow to react to the housing crisis and that drastic action was needed to reverse the dramatic downturn in the housing market before more jobs were lost. And whilst welcoming Government action taken so far, includi
17/12/2008
The Competition Commission (CC) has confirmed that, subject to final consultation, it will require BAA to sell both Gatwick and Stansted airports as well as Edinburgh airport. It also proposes to introduce measures to ensure that investment and levels of service at Heathrow, and possibly Gatwick a
17/12/2008
A partnership designed to deliver more affordable homes across North Yorkshire has been officially launched. The North Yorkshire Rural Housing Enablers' network will look to find solutions for rural communities facing a shortage of affordable housing. Working on behalf of the North Yorkshire Strat
17/12/2008
Solihull Council's planning sub committee has agreed to grant planning permission for a proposed extension to the runway at Birmingham Airport, subject to a package of conditions and obligations. However the decision is subject to a revised 106 agreement being taken back to the planning sub committ
17/12/2008
Thousands of tonnes of waste wood which would have gone to landfill will now be used as a bio-fuel at a renewable energy plant thanks to an initiative by Northamptonshire County Council. At least 12,000 tonnes a year of waste wood, including MDF, chipboard and off-cuts will be collected at the coun
17/12/2008
The Construction Confederation (CC) has warned that controversial proposals to amend the Construction Act will increase red tape and costs at a time when the industry can least afford it. The CC believes that changes to the payment provisions will prove a burden to the industry as it battles again
17/12/2008
Yorkshire Windpower, a joint venture between E.ON and EPRL, is to submit a planning application to re-power its Ovenden Moor wind farm. The application, which will be submitted to Calderdale Council on 18 December, will call for the current scheme - consisting of 23 turbines generating 9.2MW of pow
17/12/2008
Kent based Intumescent Systems Ltd has successfully secured a massive contract to supply millions of the Envirograf brand of fire protective gaskets to a variety of top European electrical manufacturers of sockets and switches. With stringent fire regulations now being enforced, the electrical man
16/12/2008
Ofgem's energy market probe is on track to remove more than £500 million in unfair premiums from suppliers' tariffs but Ofgem wants speedier action. The regulator is consulting on proposed changes to suppliers' licences to end prices that are not justified by associated cost to the supplier. The s
16/12/2008
A deal worth more than £400 million to help first time buyers aspiring to buy their own home was approved yesterday by Housing Minister Margaret Beckett, as part of the Government's programme of action to tackle current difficulties in the economy. More than 130 developers have agreed to offer the
16/12/2008
Solihull councillors have deferred the decision to approve Birmingham Airport's Planning Application to extend its runway by 400m. Following the decision Chief Executive Officer of the Airport, Paul Kehoe, said: "The Airport Company is pleased that the Council is unanimously minded to approve the A
16/12/2008
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club has revealed the first images of the Club's proposed new stadium design, part of the Northumberland Development Project. Designs for the new home of the Club have been developed by KSS, leaders in stadia design. Commenting on the release of the images, Club Chairman
16/12/2008
Zurich Insurance has extended its contract with Rok Insurance Services for a minimum of five years. The contract is expected to provide £200 million of revenue over the five year term. Rok was first appointed to Zurich Insurance's building repair panel of suppliers in June 2005. Through its new in
16/12/2008
A new environmentally friendly approach to transporting freight was announced today, as Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon published a blueprint for working with and supporting the industry. With Britain's freight doubling over the last 40 years, the Government is looking at the effectiveness of the cu
16/12/2008
New images showing the Aquatics Centre starting to take shape have been released by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). The pictures show that work has started on the supports for the 160m-long, wave-shaped roof of the Centre. Work on the south roof support has been completed and building work ha
16/12/2008
Interserve, the services, maintenance and building group, has announced planned succession changes due to take effect in 2009 and the appointment of a new non-executive director. After 15 years of service with the Group and almost seven years as a director, John Vyse has decided to retire on 3 Apri
16/12/2008
The National Federation of ALMOs (NFA) is calling for the Government to provide a long term, sustainable future for the movement whose member organisations manage one million council properties in England. It comes as a response to proposals by Warrington based ALMO, Golden Gates Housing, to trans
15/12/2008
An extra £78 million has been allocated from the government to the Fire and Rescue Authorities in England to assist them in improving their estate. This is the first time new money for capital investment has been given to all Fire and Rescue Services (FRS) in England. This includes the freedom to u
15/12/2008
In its second week of operation the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has spelt out its offer to development partners to help drive forward housing supply. Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and other partners, eligible for funding through the National Affordable Housing Programme, have been given
15/12/2008
Miller Construction (UK) Ltd has been selected as the main contractor for the £23 million new headquarters for North Tyneside Area Command. The 24 month contract will see the provision of state-of-the-art accommodation for approximately 275 people, including police officers, community support offic
15/12/2008
Town hall leaders have proposed that the Government sets aside a £1.5bn fund to help around 60,000 first time buyers onto the property ladder, as part of a package of proposals to kickstart the housing market and cut the council house waiting list. At a speech to housing chiefs in London, Cllr Marg
15/12/2008
More tenants will be able to have a greater say over their housing options and where they wish to live following a £1 million allocation announced by Housing Minister Iain Wright. Over 30 councils, with their partner housing associations, will be able to offer greater choice to new and existing ten
15/12/2008
HSE has announced that Mr Philip White, currently on secondment to Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), has been appointed Chief Inspector of Construction. Philip will take up the London-based post early in the new year. Since 2005 Philip has headed up the DWP, Health and Safety Sponsorship Team
15/12/2008
The first report by the Committee for Climate Change, the independent body that advises the UK Government and devolved administrations on long-term targets received its official Welsh launch in Cardiff. The report, 'Building a Low Carbon Economy – Britain's Contribution to Tackling Climate Change'
15/12/2008
A specialist concrete company is offering an opportunity to attend workshop sessions designed to equip trade participants with all the skills needed to build concrete worktops. Whatley firm, Greencrete, is running its 'Essentials of Concrete' in January, February and March. A spokesman for the fir
15/12/2008
Manuflex, the leading supplier of engineering fabrications has successfully completed product demonstrations at the Marine Equipment Trade Show (METS). The Amsterdam show has become something of a fixture in the Manuflex calender of events. Manuflex's Managing director Ray Stewart believes it is an
12/12/2008
The true size of the UK's informal economy was revealed this week in a report, "HMRC: Tackling the hidden economy", produced by the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee. The report highlights the fact that a staggering two million people are working in the informal economy and are costing the
12/12/2008
Norwich is another step closer towards the restoration and reopening of the Memorial Gardens as the planning application has been submitted. Norwich City Council is working with veterans, local interest groups and English Heritage to design a complete restoration and enhancement of the gardens and
12/12/2008
Thousands of tonnes of waste wood which would have gone to landfill will now be used as a bio-fuel at a renewable energy plant thanks to an initiative by Northamptonshire County Council. At least 12,000 tonnes a year of waste wood, including MDF, chipboard and off-cuts will be collected at the coun
12/12/2008
New images have been released showing the Velodrome 'bowl' beginning to take shape. Around 48,000 cubic metres of material has been excavated from the site to create the bowl, enough to fill approximately twenty 50m swimming pools. A 1.3m layer of reinforced material is being laid on the ground to
12/12/2008
Six trainees learning the building trade at a new training centre got a taste of real work through a partnership with two employers. They were the first group from the new Construction Training Centre in West Gorton, east Manchester, to benefit from on-the-job learning. They spent two weeks with Ma
12/12/2008
Construction union UCATT have expressed concern at the delay of the Ministry of Justice to announce their plans about what they intend to do on pleural plaques. Pleural plaques are scarring of the lungs caused by heavy and prolonged exposure to asbestos. Victims experience some physical symptoms bu
12/12/2008
Children attending Glanhowy Primary School welcomed the Minister for Education Jane Hutt yesterday as she officially opened their newly refurbished school. The school which has a new purpose built block and outdoor area has received £850,000 from the Welsh Assembly Government School Buildings Impro
12/12/2008
A policy that has revolutionised the way hundreds of troubled neighbourhoods are managed, and has raised £14bn of extra money for regeneration, celebrates its twentieth anniversary today. The stock transfer programme has seen 1.1 million council homes switched to independent housing association man
12/12/2008
Now the Official Educational Partner of the Health and Safety 09 series of regional events sponsored by DuPont, the British Safety Council has unveiled new ideas and seminar topics that will be included in the educational programme at the first event of 2009. Health and Safety 09 - South takes place
12/12/2008
Eleven Stannah passenger lifts for George Wimpey at The Bridge, Dartford British house-building giant, George Wimpey, has chosen leading UK independent lift manufacturer, Stannah Lifts, for all passenger lift requirements within their unique new homes development at The Bridge, Dartford, Kent. Thi
11/12/2008
Corus Steel workers are expected to take a pay cut due to the firm downsizing it's European output, it has emerged. The company employs 25,000 workers, and fears the economic crisis has bitten the steel mill were compounded last month when 500 jobs were axed from its UK workforce. It is unclear wh
11/12/2008
New figures have revealed that the UK's construction orders fell 3% in the three months to October compared with the previous three months and are 21% down for the year. The depressing revelations from the Office for National Statistics also show orders for private housing fell by 32% between Augus
11/12/2008
Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council has announced plans for a major refurbishment of Lyceum Square in Crewe town centre. Between Monday 15 December and Christmas Eve, there will be a public exhibition about the plans in the Municipal Building. The Council’s aim is that this Square will become a foc
11/12/2008
Plans for new world-class cycling facilities in London for cyclists of all ages and abilities have moved a step closer as new images released by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) today show the site of the London 2012 VeloPark taking shape. Work to prepare the VeloPark site for the start of cons
11/12/2008
Lanoyce Horticultural Nurseries, based near Saltash in Cornwall, has today 'switched on' the first biomass woodchip boiler in the region to be funded under the South West Bio-Heat Programme. Lanoyce Nurseries grow cut-flowers, mainly for UK supermarkets such as Sainsbury's. The installation of the
11/12/2008
The Deputy Welsh Minister for Housing, Jocelyn Davies AM yesterday announced an extra £4.5 million for the Assembly Government’s Mortgage Rescue Scheme, taking the fund to £9.5 million a year. Ms Davies said that action was being taken as a response to the growing number of homeowners who now face
11/12/2008
Housing Minister Margaret Beckett has announced a £605 million allocation to 163 local authorities with long-term plans to increase house building to meet the needs of their communities. Despite the current condition of the housing market, the long-term need to build more homes remains - the popula
11/12/2008
Moving to low-carbon heat sources is crucial in the battle against climate change with nearly half of the UK’s emissions coming from heating. Today more government money becomes available for industry, businesses and community organisations to help towards the cost of buying and installing biomass-
10/12/2008
Housing Minister Margaret Beckett has announced a £605 million allocation to 163 local authorities with long-term plans to increase house building to meet the needs of their communities. Despite the current condition of the housing market, the long-term need to build more homes remains - the popula
10/12/2008
Treasury Holdings, the international property company leading the Battersea Power Station redevelopment, is announced as the latest high profile property firm to join the British Property Federation (BPF). Treasury has recently announced a new €800 million town centre development called Spring Cros
10/12/2008
Crossrail has announced the 12 firms who have secured Design Framework Agreements. The chosen firms will have the opportunity to compete for packages of design work on the Crossrail project, including work on tunnels and shafts, stations, and railway systems. Following an evaluation of all the rece
10/12/2008
The announcement from John Denham MP, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, that 7,000 new apprenticeship places will be created in the construction industry has been welcomed by the Cross-Industry Construction Apprenticeship Task Force (CCATF) The Department for Universities,
10/12/2008
A multi-million pound scheme to secure the effective working of Bristol's historic docks and safeguard the city from potential flood risks is set to start this week. The City Docks Capital Project will address urgent repairs and replacement work on the 140-year old Victorian lock system. The work i
10/12/2008
The two-year powerlines project has been delivered on time and to budget with the removal of the final overhead electricity pylon from the Olympic Park site, the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has announced. With the removal of the final pylon from the Olympic Park, the ODA outlined today the eco
10/12/2008
Energy company E.ON has given a £22,000 grant under it's SOURCE community initiative towards the cost of upgrading the heating system at the Mactaggart Community Leisure Centre on Islay. With the grant, the centre which currently uses waste heat from the local Morrison Bowmore whisky distillery wil
10/12/2008
The National Construction College (NCC), Europe's largest construction training provider, will be piloting three new courses in January to meet industry demand in the areas of sustainability and business management. The courses, 'Understanding the Code for Sustainable Homes', 'Introduction to Const
10/12/2008
Just back from the Big Five exhibition in Dubai, Deva reports that the event was a resounding success for the company and in particular the Deva Dubai office. Deva formed part of the British Pavilion at this year's event, which took place from 23 through 27 November, showcasing an extensive assortm
10/12/2008
Premier Plant Hire is a huge fan of Kubota's unique key-based 'ANTI-THEFT' security system after it helped prevent the theft of two of its mini excavators. Thieves failed to start the engine of a 1.5 tonne KX36-3 machine left overnight on a customer's construction site in Coventry, despite drilling
09/12/2008
There were 39,900 house purchase loans in October, worth £5.5 billion, according to new data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). This was an increase of 14% in volume and 10% in value from September, but an annual decline of 52% in volume and 57% in value. The rise in house purchase lending
09/12/2008
The 'Cut the VAT' Coalition has announced that The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has become the latest organisation to join the campaign. RIBA is one of the most influential architectural institutions in the world, and has been promoting architecture and architects since being award
09/12/2008
Terrace Hill Group and Sainsbury's Supermarkets has announced that planning permission has been granted by Kerrier District Council for the development of a new Sainsbury's food store and filling station in Helston, which when completed will become the southern most food store on the UK mainland. T
09/12/2008
Hull's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme has announced the successful progress of three, high quality, competitive and leading edge consortia who are bidding to become the city's preferred BSF partner. The companies that have been short listed are: Balfour Beatty Capital Ltd; Esteem a
09/12/2008
Construction union UCATT have warmly welcomed the announcement that all contractors on Government construction projects will be required to train apprentices. It is expected that the announcement will create at least an additional 7,000 construction apprenticeship places. Alan Ritchie, General Secr
09/12/2008
Councillors are continuing their fight to stop an eco town being built at Weston Otmoor by commissioning a report from planning experts. The report will look at alternatives in more detail, ahead of the Government deadline for the next round of consultation in February. "What we want to show is ho
09/12/2008
In today's turbulent financial climate there has never been a more pressing time to launch the first watchdog to champion the needs and aspirations of all affordable housing tenants in England, according to Tenant Services Authority (TSA) CEO Peter Marsh. The creation of the TSA, is arguably the bi
09/12/2008
Operating from a 70,00sq.ft factory in north Kent Masterhitch provide contractors, original equipment manufacturers and distributors throughout Europe with the most innovative quick hitch system, together with a comprehensive range of standard pin buckets, attachments, accessories and wear parts. M
09/12/2008
After going through the trauma of having three mini excavators stolen, Midway Hire Centres has switched to market leading Kubota machines because of the manufacturer's unique key-based 'ANTI-THEFT' system which is included as standard equipment. General Manager, Glenn Brown, said: "We have had one
09/12/2008
CCI Legal is one of the UK's leading debt collection agencies. We specialise in UK debt collection and international debt collection and have been doing so for over 20 years. Our systems and processes are designed to maximise debt collection ratios in whatever sector you operate. If it is collectabl
08/12/2008
Construction union UCATT have pledged to play a full and active role in the Government's Inquiry into Construction Safety, despite having some reservations about the appointment of the inquiry's Chair Rita Donaghy. Ms Donaghy, the former chair of ACAS, lacks a background in health and safety, const
08/12/2008
UK house builders are calling on Chancellor Alistair Darling to avert a worsening crisis in the housing industry by giving guarantees to support fundraising by mortgage lenders. The House Builders Association (HBA), the UK's largest trade body representing the industry, says that additional funding
08/12/2008
A Thurston-based contractor has opened a landmark sustainable homes project built for Orwell Housing Association. Seamans Building built 26 affordable family homes at the new Clay Field estate in Elmswell. The houses are believed to be the closest to carbon-zero of any residential project built in
08/12/2008
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) published new figures showing that the Olympic Park work force has broken 3,000 as the project gears up to accelerate the 'big build' of venues and infrastructure for the London 2012 Games and legacy in 2009. The Olympic Stadium and Aquatics Centre are rising fr
08/12/2008
A training project launched by Lovell is giving 16- to 25-year-olds in the St Mellons area of Cardiff the chance to learn construction skills, by helping turn a storeroom at a local community centre into a new art and craft facility. Staff from Lovell are working with a group of young people to tra
08/12/2008
In a review of Selby's plans for a new hospital and council office complex, the Office of Government Commerce has commenced the project and recognises the appointment of Turner & Townsend as a positive step forward to support the mobilisation of the scheme. Turner & Townsend has been commissioned t
08/12/2008
One of Manchester's new academies has taken a step closer to opening with the registration of the planning application. Due to open in September 2010, Manchester Communication Academy in Harpurhey will be a brand new state of the art building and will provide 1200 places for 11 - 16 year olds and p
08/12/2008
Rok Stonecare is carrying out work at three of the UK's largest power stations as part of an ongoing relationship with British Energy. The specialist concrete repairs team is currently on site at Hinkley, in Somerset; Heysham, in Lancashire; and Hartlepool, providing concrete repairs, having comple
08/12/2008
With energy and fuel prices rising almost daily, it's a must for all businesses to keep their energy consumption at sensible levels. For companies where despatches and deliveries are frequent and doors are constantly opening and closing, it's particularly crucial to minimise energy loss. Since intro
05/12/2008
Leading support services and construction company Carillion and its client Network Rail have successfully carried out a bridge lift on the River Tees. The bridge which was erected in 1880 is being demolished and rebuilt as part of a £4.5m design and construct contract awarded to Carillion by Networ
05/12/2008
Interserve, the services, maintenance and building group, has been awarded the Sustainable Built Environment Workplace Support (SBEWS) contract by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The 15-year contract has a core services value of approximately £500 million, although
05/12/2008
British motorways turn 50 in style today as Transport Minister Andrew Adonis looks to the future by opening the UK's newest stretch of motorway - bridging the 'missing link' between London and Glasgow. Half a century to the day after the nation's first motorway standard road - the Preston Bypass -
05/12/2008
The efforts of Shelter campaigners were acknowledged by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown as he announced new assistance for struggling homeowners. Mr Brown announced that the government would provide a guarantee, allowing homeowners who have been made redundant or have lost significant income to def
05/12/2008
Plans for an ambitious multi-million pound programme to improve energy efficiency in homes across the Heads of the Valleys (HoVs) and develop Europe's first low carbon zone have been announced. The HoV Low Carbon programme is designed to tackle child poverty and fuel poverty, both commitments in th
05/12/2008
Cabot Circus, Bristol's £500 million retail and leisure destination, has won three top industry awards, and Bristol City Council's work in partnership with developers Bristol Alliance has been key to its success. The council worked with the Alliance to secure the land needed for the development and
05/12/2008
E.ON, one of the UK's leading electricity and gas companies, has announced that residential electricity customers in its core regions who are not on mains gas supply will see a reduction in their annual bills of £14. The move affects customers in the East Midlands, East of England and North West.
05/12/2008
With unemployment expected to reach two million by the end of 2009, the work of housing organisations in supporting tenants to access training and employment has never been more important. On 4 December the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) launched a new toolkit that will give local councils and
04/12/2008
Yesterday's Queen's speech to Parliament has already sparked reaction from the boss of a leading trade organisation and raised concerns by the proposed change to Withholding Notice provisions, as the draft Bill now allows the Payment Notice to be reduced for any reason at any time before payment is
04/12/2008
The National Housing Federation (NHF) said the banking reforms, to be implemented in the new Parliamentary session, must stop lenders from unreasonably changing the terms and conditions of loans, an issue which is threatening the delivery of new social housing across the country. However, the Feder
04/12/2008
Balfour Beatty, the international engineering, construction, services and investment group, has announced that it is partnering with AREVA, a world leader in nuclear power, to ensure effective delivery of a fleet of EPR nuclear reactors (EPRs) in the UK. Balfour Beatty will work with AREVA to ident
04/12/2008
A deal worth up to £350m that will help deliver Crossrail on time and on budget has been finalised with the City of London Corporation. The agreement was announced today by Andrew Adonis, Transport Minister, Boris Johnson, Mayor of London and Sir Michael Snyder of the City of London Corporation.
04/12/2008
Construction union UCATT will represent six Kosovan workers at an employment tribunal, after their employer sacked the men for trade union activity. The men were formerly employed by Crowleys on an Islington council contract. The contract they worked on transferred to FM Conway Ltd in 2007. The wor
04/12/2008
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has reacted angrily to the news that the Business Rate Supplements Bill has been included in the Government's legislative programme, branding it yet another kick in the teeth for a construction industry already suffering as a result of the credit crunch. Thi
04/12/2008
Speedy Hire has secured a three-year contract to continue supplying tools and equipment to Simons Construction, one of the UK's leading privately owned construction companies. Under the contract, worth £1m per year, Speedy will cover the provision of all tools and equipment to Simons. This will inc
04/12/2008
Stancold Plc in Bristol are pleased to announce their recent appointment of Sales Director Tony Harrold (pictured). After a successful career spanning 10 years in the panel manufacturing industry, Tony joins one of the UK's largest composite panel installation companies. Stancold's core business
04/12/2008
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) welcomes the announcement in yesterday's Queen's Speech of the Government's intention to improve the operation of construction contracts. The new Bill (Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction), which seeks to change current practice particul
04/12/2008
An important publication covering the law on damages related to liquidations and how they affect the construction industry is about to be published in a new edition - but with a special offer now available. Trade customers can get their own copy early, by taking advantage of a pre-publication offer
04/12/2008
The restoration of one of Sheffield's most important historic buildings is to be considered by the City Council's Cabinet next Wednesday 10 December. The Shepherd Wheel Conservation Project would restore the declining 16th century grinding mill and dam protecting the Scheduled Ancient Monument and
03/12/2008
The world's second largest offshore wind farm has been given the green light to be built off the coast of North Wales. Gwynt y Mor Offshore Wind Farm combined with three other nearby wind farms off the North Wales coast will provide enough clean, green electricity to power the equivalent of 680,000
03/12/2008
The Housing Forum has joined forces with NHBC in a move to strengthen housing industry support during one of the most critical periods in its recent history. The new collaboration will see the Housing Forum move from the umbrella of Constructing Excellence to expand its work in the housing sector,
03/12/2008
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has called for a Queen's Speech that will help, not hinder the construction industry on the State Opening of Parliament. The construction industry has been particularly badly hit as a result of the credit crunch and the down turn in the housing market. The in
03/12/2008
Construction union UCATT is calling for early intervention by the newly formed Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to ensure that housing associations hit by the credit crunch do not go bust and money is made available for investment in new build social housing. In an interview with Building Magazin
03/12/2008
Lovell is set to start work in the New Year on five new family homes for Friendship Care and Housing at Alum Rock, Birmingham. Lovell, which has its Midlands regional office at Woodgate Valley, Birmingham, will build three three-bedroom and two four-bedroom houses on a site in Langton Road. One of
03/12/2008
During a visit to a construction 'taster event' for women on the Olympic Park, Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said that the London 2012 'big build' can offer construction job opportunities for women and help breakdown gender barriers within the industry as a whole. The Minister joined local women a
03/12/2008
Mining, property and energy company UK COAL has confirmed that it has lodged a planning appeal in a bid to progress a decision on its application to extract around 900,000 tonnes of coal from 10 seams laying close to the surface of land on the western periphery of Telford. UK COAL lodged the plan
03/12/2008
Civil Engineering Developments (CED) Limited was formed in 1959 to devise applications for calcined flint within resin technology, but it was soon clear that the venture was unfortunately beyond the resources of the family. It was in 1978 that Michael Heap recognised that the company had the basis t
03/12/2008
Thanks to E.ON's SOURCE community fund, the Magdalen Project in Chard, has cut its power bills and carbon emissions. After receiving £20,000 towards the cost of a biomass boiler to heat the community centre, the system is already estimated to have saving the charity as much as 70% off of its annual
03/12/2008
With the credit crunch meaning more and more people are currently renovating their existing homes instead of moving, a leading London tile supplier is displaying its products in a different way to ensure customers make a more informed choice. It is also paying dividends for Carvall Group Ltd in the
02/12/2008
The National Housing Federation (NHF) has welcomed the launch of the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Tenants Services Authority (TSA), which respectively will ensure the delivery of affordable homes and safeguard continued high standards for social housing tenants. The HCA will be the single
02/12/2008
Union Square, the specialist construction software author, today launches a new version of 'Workspace', the web-based information sharing portal, specifically designed for the construction industry. Workspace ix, which will be offered free of charge to existing Workspace customers, will provide a v
02/12/2008
To explore the detail of the recently published draft Housing Strategy and how the commitments in it will be delivered, the London Assembly will today question the Mayor's key housing advisers. The Mayor has a statutory obligation to consult the Assembly on his draft Housing Strategy. To inform its
02/12/2008
The new President of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), Dr Jean Venables, made a stop at Halcrow's City Park offices during her tour of the West of Scotland. As part of her tour, Dr Venables, the first ever female ICE President, was shown around the company's offices for an introductory pre
02/12/2008
E.ON has welcomed delegates from 50 secondary schools from all over the UK at a special conference designed to give them the opportunity to have their say on the future of energy. The Schools Energy Conference was held at the National College for School Leadership, a state-of-the-art eco-friendly v
02/12/2008
A temporary weight limit on a busy Llwydcoed road in Wales has been lifted as work to strengthen a flood-damaged culvert is completed. Since September, when the county borough was hit by extreme flooding, extensive repair work to stablise sections of the B4276 and the massive culvert below the surf
02/12/2008
The steelwork programme at Shepherd Construction's £22m project, to construct a new 2-storey Secondary School, on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council and the Diocese of St Albans, is underway. Over a four-month period, approximately 335 tonnes of steel will be lifted into place to form the two-s
02/12/2008
People paying their council tax or business rates by monthly instalments will have more flexible choices from next year. The change is being introduced by Cherwell District Council to help families and local businesses plan their finances better during difficult times ahead. In future they will be
02/12/2008
Demonstrating what the construction industry can offer talented industry hopefuls and helping to bridge the skills shortage gap, Faithful+Gould's Nottingham office put seven local students through their paces at an interactive A Level Open Day. Held for the second consecutive year, the session was
01/12/2008
The Home Builders Federation (HBF) has welcomed the official launch of the new Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) but warned that the opportunity this presents to maximise the benefits of public money must not be wasted, with increasing numbers of people desperate for a home. Representatives from H
01/12/2008
Balfour Beatty, the international engineering, construction, services and investment group, has announced that Balfour Beatty WorkPlace, has acquired Colledge Trundle and Hall Limited (CTH), which specialises in the design and installation of automatic energy control systems for buildings, for a con
01/12/2008
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has completed its construction work on the first venue for the 2012 Games, it was announced as work was completed on new enhanced sailing facilities at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA). The completion of works at Weymouth & Portland was j
01/12/2008
A new Manifesto for housing from the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) North East calls for a greater emphasis on transformation of the region's existing housing stock and more support for elderly and deprived residents. The document reveals that in the North East one third of residents - the la
01/12/2008
Thanks to E.ON's SOURCE community fund, the Magdalen Project in Chard, has cut its power bills and carbon emissions. After receiving £20,000 towards the cost of a biomass boiler to heat the community centre, the system is already estimated to have saving the charity as much as 70% off of its annual
01/12/2008
A court case has highlighted the need for workers to be aware of the dangers to elderly people after an 81-year-old woman fell through an open hatch in her home. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) warned companies undertaking central heating installations and those responsible for managing insta
01/12/2008
Plans for £1.2 million improvements to a shopping area in Newton Heath are being finalised by New East Manchester. Improvements will centre on Old Church Street and All Saints' Street, and the aim is to create a safer and more pleasant environment for shoppers and traders. Staff from New East Manc
01/12/2008
The use of drugs and alcohol by an employee is of serious concern to employers. As well as causing ill-health and absenteeism amounting to around £6.4 billion each year in the UK, drug misuse interferes with productivity and increases the chances of accidents. In fact, a regular drug or alcohol misu
01/12/2008
Mayor of London Boris Johnson is calling on developers and landowners to help identify suitable sites for the vital new homes needed to meet London's housing crisis and boost the construction sector during the economic recovery. Last week the Mayor launched his housing strategy, which will involve
01/12/2008
Speedy, the UK's largest tool and equipment hire provider, has become the first hire company to bring Genset's solar powered tower light to the UK market as it boosts its lighting range to meet increased demand during the darker winter months. The lighting tower, powered with a combination of solar
