Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
UK Construction News Archive for June 2009
30/06/2009
As part of the Government's Building Britain's Future plans, Housing Minister John Healey has said that construction of thousands of extra homes will begin in a matter of months, thanks to the £1.5 billion pound housing investment announced earlier by the Prime Minister. The Housing Pledge places c
30/06/2009
Costain has announced that, as part of the 4D consortium, it has won a new capital delivery contract with Southern Water to manage the design and build of a new wastewater treatment works in the Brighton and Hove area. The £225 million contract will begin with immediate effect. The construction ph
30/06/2009
House prices rose by 0.9% in June, building upon the improving trend seen over the last several months, according to Nationwide. At £156,442, the average house price across the UK was still 9.3% lower than last year, however this is the first time since July 2008 that the year-on-year fall has been
30/06/2009
A new Energy Bill has been proposed for the forthcoming session of Parliament as part of the Government's plans to lead the world in breakthrough clean coal technology. The Bill would enable the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to introduce a financial mechanism to fund up to four c
30/06/2009
Willmott Dixon has taken the amount of work secured under the Academies framework to £250 million after signing the £32 million contract for Ark Academy, just a stone's throw from Wembley National Stadium in Brent. The company has teamed up with Studio E architects to carry out the ambitious projec
30/06/2009
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has approved plans that will see over 750 new homes, plus commercial and leisure facilities, built next to the Thames Barrier in Newham. The proposed development - 'Barrier Park East' - will transform the former industrial site into a vibrant east London neighbo
30/06/2009
With millions of people locked out of the housing market, Government plans to build an extra 20,000 affordable new homes over the next two years has been warmly received by housing professionals. The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) expects the cash injection of £1.5 billion to produce 13,500 r
30/06/2009
Maxx Piling Stockholders Ltd have launched a new website to showcase their extensive range of Steel Sheet Piling, Trench Sheets and Associated Products. With current stocks exceeding 3,000 tonnes of New and Second Hand material available immediately for both sale and hire, Maxx Piling has the prove
30/06/2009
In a further development of their successful pipe boxing systems, Jtech Services has recently installed their heavy-duty metal ducting system at a hospital refurbishment project. The area concerned would be highly trafficked and have many pushchairs and trolleys around. The result is a product tha
30/06/2009
Bauder has been manufacturing single ply membranes since 2000 but due to the continued increase in demand the construction of a new £16 million factory was opened in June. Working in conjunction with the existing plant the new factory will double the production of FPO membranes. The £16 million fa
29/06/2009
The Dean and Chapter of Westminster are considering a new addition to the roof of Westminster Abbey which will enhance London's historic skyline and build on the work of Christopher Wren, Nicholas Hawksmoor and George Gilbert Scott. The Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, has annou
29/06/2009
Construction of the wave-shaped roof of the London 2012 Aquatics Centre has reached its halfway point. The erection of the 160m-long, 2,800-tonne roof started just three months ago and is considered one of the most complex engineering and construction challenges of the Olympic Park 'big build'. Th
29/06/2009
A mixture of expertise and proven experience in the public sector has secured Faithful+Gould's appointment to the buying solutions framework. As part of a deal worth an estimated £750m to the 12 selected suppliers, Faithful+Gould will lead a multi-disciplined team. This will include design and engi
29/06/2009
Hochtief PPP Solutions and Morgan Sindall have announced financial close for the 'Wigan Life Centre' public-private partnership (PPP) project. The consortium will design, finance and build the service centre in Wigan and operate it for a period of 25 years. Hochtief Facility Management UK will mana
29/06/2009
Less than 1% of UK adults aware of support available for them to help their friends and families with energy issues More than two-thirds of Brits are keen to take on the responsibility for helping loved ones manage their energy use, but only 1% know how to go about this according to a recent survey
29/06/2009
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is urging landlords and property agents to ensure that their gas appliances are serviced and maintained and that landlords' gas safety checks are completed. It follows the prosecution of a Tamworth man, after four people were taken to hospital suffering suspecte
29/06/2009
Environment Minister Jane Davidson has revealed details on how the Welsh Assembly Government will cut Wales's carbon emissions to tackle climate change. In total Ministers are committing £300 million across all departments to contribute to the target as a result of the proposals set out in the cons
29/06/2009
The possibility of 70,000 jobs being created by a home insulation programme to cut CO2 emissions shows the need for more energy efficient homes is 'zooming up the political agenda'. Unite the union welcomed the independent research released by Friends of the Earth (FoE) which demonstrated these jo
29/06/2009
Bristol has been awarded Government funding to create a high-support housing support project for homeless and vulnerable young people. The city will receive up to £490,000 to create a six-bedroom building for young people and to refurbish an existing three-bedroom property on the same site to provi
29/06/2009
MrMachinery.com, an auction portal for buying and selling all types of heavy equipment, has recently opened new offices in the UK. The firm said the move was made to cover all buyers and sales demands in the UK and Ireland. The new office are located at Countrywide House on Knights Way at Battlefi
29/06/2009
Deer Park Joinery based in Eastleigh, Hampshire supply and install beautiful timber staircases designed and constructed individually to the highest standards using the very latest technologies, including CAD/CAM, along with many years of traditional experience in building timber staircases in the UK
29/06/2009
Leicester based civil engineering firm, Danaher & Walsh, are creating a more pleasant and safer place to live for the residents of Hemmingwell, Wellingborough. Wellingborough Homes has called on Danaher & Walsh to revamp the old 1960s council housing estate in Hemmingwell. The improvements will
26/06/2009
A deal to end the bitter oil refinery dispute which saw hundreds of workers walk out across the country, has been agreed, according to unions. Following long talks with union leaders and employers of contract staff at the Lindsey oil refinery, an agreement was reached - understood to involve the re
26/06/2009
The Berkeley Group, creators of high quality developments, has announced Tony Pidgley is to become its new Chairman. Victoria Mitchell will step down as Chairman and become deputy Chairman and an independent non executive director of the Group from the date of the Annual General Meeting on 9 Septe
26/06/2009
In a unique event organised by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) construction professionals from the Beijing Olympics 2008 met their counterparts on the London 2012 project. The workshop brought together CIOB members from China that managed the construction process of the Beijing Olympics
26/06/2009
Barnsley council members received a report detailing new major investment into Barnsley to continue the borough's new build programme. This is over and above bids currently being developed to build new council homes. Funding level remains strong at £11.25m, with the council's Strategic Housing de
26/06/2009
Electricity distribution company Central Networks has teamed up with Derbyshire Police and Neighbourhood Watch to launch a new initiative targeting criminals who are stealing copper from electricity substations. This joint initiative was launched in Swadlincote and will be rolled out across the cou
26/06/2009
Carlisle Planners have reason to celebrate the half yearly Planning Performance Checklist of local authorities' handling of planning applications that has recently been published showing Carlisle as the 69th best planning authority in the country. The performance checklist shows at a glance how loc
26/06/2009
Residents who want to develop green projects to make life better in their neighbourhoods whilst saving money can get advice and help at a Manchester City Council event next week. The CO2mmunity Challenge Event, held at Manchester Town Hall on Monday 29 June, is open to any residents, schools or com
26/06/2009
A1 Air Testing provides a nationwide seven day a week service completing air-tightness testing for all new build homes checking their compliance to the Building Regulation requirement Part L1a. From small new builds to large scales developments A1 can provide:
26/06/2009
Pulseline Venetian blinds are fixed inside the glass unit, and can be installed in bi-folding doors. The blinds can be Bluetooth Pod controlled, for when it is sunny out side the Bluetooth Controller automatically adjusts the blinds and keep the room shaded and cool. Pulseline offers:
26/06/2009
DMW are committed to providing a range of services such as Asbestos Surveys , Asbestos Sampling, COSHH Assessments, Health and Safety Consulting and Asbestos Training (as well as Asbestos Removal Project Management). If you would like to find out more about the cost to remove asbestos from your prem
26/06/2009
Polypipe Terrain has opened a brand-new Centre of Excellence dedicated to plastic piping technology and related product areas. Located at Polypipe Terrain's Aylesford facility in Kent, the new Centre of Excellence represents a unique resource in today's building products market. It combines purpose
25/06/2009
New research by Consumer Focus shows that energy customers are being overcharged by a combined £1.66 billion this year (£74 per household), as declining wholesale costs have not been fully passed on by suppliers. Analysis shows that current gas prices should be at least 7.4% cheaper, and electricit
25/06/2009
Shelter has warned the Government and mortgage lenders against complacency - and called on them to start preparing for a second wave of arrears and repossessions that could hit the UK within the next two years. Shelter says the Government and lenders must start planning now as hundreds of thousands
25/06/2009
Plans were approved for the International Broadcast Centre (IBC) and Main Press Centre (MPC) by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) Planning Committee. During the application process local people and other stakeholders were consulted and, as planned, the detailed designs of the buildings have been
25/06/2009
Following action by the OFT the directors of a solar water heating company have pledged to improve their trading practices. The OFT has secured formal undertakings from Smart Energy (UK) Limited and its directors Allan Berry, Michael Lowes, and Gary Payne, that they will not, in the course of busi
25/06/2009
A new plan to help people homeowners facing repossession was launched by the Deputy Minister for Housing, Jocelyn Davies AM, yesterday. In light of the current economic climate, the Mortgage Rescue Action Plan has been produced with a number of partners including Local Authorities, Housing Associat
25/06/2009
A new £6 million fund to help charitable and voluntary organisations support and develop environmental projects throughout England has been announced by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn. The Greener Living Fund will help voluntary organisations promote positive environmental changes to individuals
25/06/2009
A new commercial district, one Tube stop from Canary Wharf, is to be officially launched this week at Greenwich Peninsula, offering tenants a 'New View of London', unrivalled anywhere else in the Capital. The first completed office building on the Peninsula, 14 Pier Walk, will soon be a new home f
25/06/2009
The National Construction College (NCC) is urging companies to make sure that their health and safety training is up to date and to undertake refresher courses to demonstrate adherence to the latest legislative and site requirements. Contractors who have undertaken the Site Management Safety Traini
25/06/2009
More than 280 visitors flocked to a pioneering event on Monday to help people across Greater Manchester to purchase their own property by making the home-buying experience as simple as possible. Organised by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), The Key Event in Manchester brought together sevent
25/06/2009
Young people on a Sandwell skills and job-seeking scheme have earned praise for helping to refurbish bungalows on a West Bromwich estate. Councillor Shackleton, Josh Ward, Josh Timms, Le Shane Smith, Hakiem Grey and Dean Butler, from the Future Skills scheme run by Sandwell Council, worked with Riv
25/06/2009
In an open day hosted by E.ON's Kingsnorth power station, community groups across Kent have had the chance to find out about the history - and future - of local energy. At the event, local parish council members joined Action with Communities in Rural Kent, local community liaison police officers,
25/06/2009
Rockwool, manufacturers of non-combustible stone wool insulation, has improved its Ablative Coated Batt product following major investment in its production line at its factory in South Wales. The product will now come in 1200 x 600mm dimensions as standard. Rockwool Ablative Coated Batt is the o
24/06/2009
Partnerships for Schools (PfS) has confirmed the advisers for the Legal Advisory Services Framework which will provide professional support for local authorities as they deliver their Building Schools for the Future (BSF) projects. There are now 17 law firms on the framework, five more than on the
24/06/2009
Construction on over 750 new homes on a derelict site next to the Thames Barrier has moved a step closer, after the London Borough of Newham granted outline planning consent to the London Deveopment Agency's (LDA) Thames Barrier East proposals. Barrier Park East will provide much needed new homes i
24/06/2009
Thousands of Service personnel and their families are to see their homes refurbished sooner than planned as details of how a £50m advance from the Treasury will be spent. The cash injection, which was announced as part of the Budget on 22 April 2009, is part of a wider package of Government fiscal
24/06/2009
A financial report to go before Norwich City Council's audit committee tomorrow will show a £290m fall in the paper valuation of the city's assets due to the collapse in property prices. However, the deficit within the 2008-09 accounts, which is also attributable to the impact of the worldwide fina
24/06/2009
Trade union Unite has won a 90 Day Protective Award for 103 former employees of Bison Concrete's Leeds site. The award means all workers laid off from the Leeds site can claim compensation for up to 90 days pay for Bison’s failure to consult with Unite about the possibility of redundancies. Bison
24/06/2009
A recent Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) event about Design Management and Building Information Modelling (BIM) brought together experts from academia and industry to discuss the business case for Design Management and BIM, and to explore what is happening in practice and discover current res
24/06/2009
The Costain Group won the Supreme Award at the Construction News 2009 Quality Awards last night. The Supreme Award is given to the construction company which records the best overall Awards performance and Costain was short-listed six times and won two categories - Training and Corporate Social Re
24/06/2009
A busy community centre café's kitchen has been given a brand-new look by Lovell. The company has given a free makeover to the volunteer-run Community Learning Café kitchen at the Keith Thompson Centre in Coronation Mount on the Guardhouse estate, Keighley, Bradford, installing new kitchen units an
24/06/2009
Highways engineers are coordinating a series of important multi-million pound road improvement projects to limit congestion and support the future growth of the city on major routes around Peterborough's north-east perimeter over coming months. The A1139 Frank Perkins Parkway has lane closures and
24/06/2009
Novabrik brick cladding from Acheson & Glover Group, has been chosen by Rotherham Borough Council for a pioneering scheme to refurbish a community shopping centre in Rawmarsh, South Yorkshire. The refurbishment of the Parade Shopping Centre involves the installation of a completely new external env
23/06/2009
Owner of Linsey Oil Refinery, Total, is actively encouraging talks to be opened between its contractors and the unions about how to facilitate the return to work of its contracting companies' former workforces. These discussions between the unions and the contracting companies should focus on getti
23/06/2009
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) has signed the final agreement for Triathlon Homes to purchase 1,379 affordable homes on the Olympic Village development. The signing of terms for affordable housing concludes the agreement-in-principle announced by the ODA and Government last month. ODA Chairm
23/06/2009
Housing Minister John Healey has announced more help for families facing repossession of their home with the doubling of extra funding for free, on-the-spot, legal advice in courts. The announcement came as the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) announced they had revised their forecast of repossess
23/06/2009
The first stage of a project to build energy-efficient affordable homes at disused sites on estates across Leicester is nearing completion. Work began in September 2008 to develop seven derelict and unused sites across the city, after Leicester City Council approved over half a million pounds towa
23/06/2009
Mansell has been awarded a £5.7 million contract for the design and construction of 36 new homes at Lyme Grove, Loddiges Road in Hackney, London, for Islington & Shoreditch Housing Association. The contract has been awarded under the North River Alliance framework. The contract will involve the de
23/06/2009
The call in the House of Commons from Labour MP, and former apprentice, Dave Anderson, for more construction apprenticeships to help create new jobs in the construction industry has been warmly welcomed by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Dave Anderson MP for Blaydon, near Newcastle-upon-Ty
23/06/2009
Talks between employers and unions over a new pay agreement for workers employed under the Construction Industry Joint Council (CIJC) Working Rule Agreement have concluded without agreement. Both sides have agreed to resume pay negotiations later this year. Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of const
23/06/2009
Tackling the energy efficiency of the nation's existing housing stock, which accounts for 27% of CO2 emissions, has the potential to provide a much needed boost to the UK economy and help householders to save hard-earned cash through reduced energy bills. John Doggart Chairman of the Sustainable En
23/06/2009
Kier Marriott has scooped the Chairman's Award at the East Midlands LABC Building Excellence Awards for the region's newest building for businesses. Designed by architects Marks Barfield, the Kier Marriott-built Think Tank in Lincoln officially opened just two days before the the awards highlighted
23/06/2009
Como, the fit-out contracting arm of Mace Group, has secured its first commission in Birmingham for new client KPMG. Located in the heart of the Jewellery Quarter at One Snowhill, the project is currently the biggest fit out job in Birmingham, covering 120,000 sq ft of space. Works comprise the fit
22/06/2009
The energy bills for private households could reach as high as £4,733 a year by 2020, nearly four times higher than they are today, according to new research from uSwitch.com. The average household energy bill today is £1,243 a year. However, ongoing pricing trends coupled with investment in infra
22/06/2009
Construction workers who were blacklisted will have more time to access their records following the direct intervention of construction union UCATT. In March the Information Commissioner revealed that over 40 major construction companies were using the services of the Consulting Association to blac
22/06/2009
Work will start this week on the £20m rebuild of King David High School and King David Primary School in Crumpsall. The Eaton Road site is currently home to an 800-place high school and sixth form, a junior and infant school and nursery. For the first time, Manchester is bringing together its Buil
22/06/2009
Up to 650 country pubs and 400 village shops will close over the next 12 months - as traditional village life in Britain is plunged into terminal decline by a chronic shortage of affordable housing, according to a coalition of leading campaign groups. The National Housing Federation (NHF) has joine
22/06/2009
The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) has responded to the announcement by John Healey MP, Minister for Housing and Planning at the RTPI Planning Convention that a new mechanism will be introduced allowing already granted planning permission consents to be extended from the current three years by
22/06/2009
A new advisory group with a wide ranging remit to look at future sources of private finance for housing has been established by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). The Housing Finance Group, made up of industry experts and chaired by Nigel Hugill, the recent Executive Chairman of Lend Lease, wi
22/06/2009
This year's Chartered Institute of Housing's (CIH) Annual Conference and Exhibition has created a clear and positive path for Government and the housing sector to begin to restore the confidence of struggling households and millions of people locked out of the housing market. In his maiden speech n
22/06/2009
Bristol-based double glazing company DGI Windows have revamped their website. The company has created a new and improved service which enables customers to get a fast track quote online, this service has been launched to save customers the hassle of having to wait on hold or waiting to get a callba
22/06/2009
Kingfisher Access is expanding its operations nationally, and are opening training centres in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen in Scotland, Manchester, Sheffield, Northampton, Brighton, Bristol, Southampton, Camberley and Lingfield in England. There they will be delivering PASMA, IPAF and Work At He
22/06/2009
Tentative signs are emerging that the flow of new construction projects is steadying after the sharp declines seen since the middle of last year. A rise in the number of construction projects starting on site in May 2009 trimmed the year on year fall in the Glenigan Index to a 25% year on year decli
19/06/2009
Nearly 700 workers have been sacked at an oil refinery following a bitter dispute over jobs. About 1,200 contract workers took unofficial strike action in a dispute over 51 redundancies at its Lindsey oil refinery in Lincolnshire. Yesterday the dispute came to a head when workers from several powe
19/06/2009
A new leaflet has been launched to raise awareness of cancer prevention among construction workers. The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland pamphlet highlights the preventability of two out of three cancers, and discusses how in most cases early detection gives the best outcomes. An
19/06/2009
Construction company Willmott Dixon is holding a series of work experience visits for the young apprenticeship programme run by Leicestershire Education Business Company (LEBC). The programme is a great opportunity for budding builders of the future to gain valuable hands-on experience in the const
19/06/2009
Seamless Sensing is the first business in Leicestershire to receive funding through the Sustainable Construction Innovation Network (iNet). The company has developed a wireless smart energy management system that allows businesses to monitor energy consumption and reduce energy costs. The system
19/06/2009
The construction team for the new Business School at Leeds Metropolitan University hosted an opening ceremony of the landmark 'Rose Bowl' building on Thursday 11 June 2009, attended by over 200 people. The construction team comprised of Turner & Townsend as cost managers, architects Sheppard Robson
19/06/2009
Work has just been completed on two building projects at The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham which will relieve pressure on crowded clinical space, providing increased capacity for treating patients and improving patient care. Masefields Architects & Surveyors based in Kings Heath, Birmin
19/06/2009
Warm Wales (Cymru Gynnes Cwmni Buddiant Cymunedol), the Community Interest Company, set up to deliver fuel poverty programmes in Wales, has announced its backing for an initiative to provide free mineral wool insulation to over 3,000 Welsh households by Rockwool. Fuel poverty occurs where any house
19/06/2009
Leyland Trade gave its staff a taste of life in the fast lane as leading racing outfit Motorbase Performance roared into town for a high-octane day of autos, action and adrenaline. As one of the official sponsors of Motorbase Performance's Airwaves BMW British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) and Po
19/06/2009
It has been revealed that around 2,000 incidents at work involve electrical injury across the UK with 10% of them result in fatalities. One of the UK's leading electrical training providers, the Faraday Centre, is aiming to address the issue of reducing the toll of 20 unnecessary deaths. It is spec
18/06/2009
An action plan to kick-start the social housing building programme for the 4.5million people on waiting lists was launched by Unite yesterday. Unite argues in its blueprint, 'Meeting housing need: Building Britain out of recession', that such a massive council house building programme would meet s
18/06/2009
Around 6.5 million people will be on social housing waiting lists in England by 2020 unless urgent action is taken, according to new figures. The National Housing Federation (NHF) says that if current trends continue the total number of people waiting for an affordable home will be 2 million more t
18/06/2009
London 2012 Sustainaibility Partner EDF Energy has launched an annual 'Green Britain Day', aiming to show the world how Britain can lead the world in the race against climate change. Inspired by the Games, people are being invited to join Team Green Britain and use the day, 10 July, as the start of
18/06/2009
The Welsh Assembly Government has announced that it was going to seek new, more wide ranging powers to modernise social housing. Ensuring better quality and more affordable housing remains a top priority for the Welsh Assembly Government and we have undertaken a thorough review of policies over the
18/06/2009
With this year's Wimbledon Championships just a few days away the redevelopment of the world's most famous tennis venue has moved another stage forward, and a North East company is involved. Sunderland-based Current Thinking, which specialises in audio equipment to meet the most exacting fire and s
18/06/2009
The Construction Products Association's (CPA) Chief Executive Michael Ankers has been awarded an OBE in this year's Queen's Birthday honours list for 'services to the construction industry'. Commenting on his achievement Michael said: "I am very honoured to have been given this award and the recog
18/06/2009
With the latest projections showing only 90,000 private sector homes will be completed in 2009, Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) Chief Sir Bob Kerslake told housing delegates yesterday that new models of funding and construction were needed in order to revive the government's house building plans.
18/06/2009
The National House-Building Council's (NHBC's) latest statistics show the third successive rolling quarter-on-quarter rise in the number of applications from builders to start new homes in the UK, providing further evidence of a mild recovery in house-building production. 19,286 applications were r
18/06/2009
A new long-term partnership between Norwich City Council and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has been announced. The council is entering into an agreement with the national housing and regeneration body which is expected to create more than 1300 new homes and hundreds of new jobs over a 12-y
18/06/2009
A major programme to assess and improve the condition of underground service pipework carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from bulk storage tanks to industrial and commercial premises in England, Scotland and Wales has been launched. The Industry and its representative body, UKLPG – working with
17/06/2009
Unite, the union for construction workers, is demanding legislation to regulate gangmasters who exploit migrant workers in the UK building industry. Crooked gangmasters are avoiding regulation by moving into the construction industry from the agriculture and food sectors. The government introduced
17/06/2009
Partnerships for Schools (PfS) is to take over the management and delivery of all school building and refurbishment programmes from 1 October 2009, Schools Minister Vernon Coaker has announced. PfS has already put in place strong day-to-day management of the BSF and Academies building programmes, w
17/06/2009
Alan Ritchie, has been re-elected by a clear majority, as General Secretary of construction union UCATT. Mr Ritchie, defeated his opponent Michael Dooley, by 60% to 40%. Mr Ritchie, said: "I am delighted that UCATT's members have shown their support for my leadership and have elected me for a seco
17/06/2009
Work is expected to recommence next week on the Birkenhead Medical Building that is set to transform medical services for up to 12,000 patients, following the appointment of a replacement building contractor. Construction was temporarily halted on the new health centre, which is being provided by
17/06/2009
Willmott Dixon, the UK's highest placed contractor in the recent Sunday Time Green List, has secured a £20 million contract to create a new building which will house the Department of Media and Communications, and provide additional facilities to benefit all students at Goldsmiths, University of Lon
17/06/2009
Cash generated from council house rents in the 206 council housing organisations across England needs to be ploughed back into building more social housing rather than left to sit in a national pot waiting for redistribution, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Brian Berry, Director of Ex
17/06/2009
More than 300,000 new homes could be built, providing a £72.5 billion boost to the economy over ten years, through root and branch reform of the housing finance system, a new report published has revealed. The Local Government Association (LGA), which represents more than 350 councils in England, h
17/06/2009
A leading economist predicts it will be another two years at least before repossessions reach their peak, and the outlook for the UK's economy remains 'hideous' for the next decade. Speaking at the Chartered Institute of Housing's (CIH) Annual Conference, UK and USA economic expert, Ian Shepherdson
17/06/2009
The Government should back calls for an urgent social house building programme over the next year in order to help stop the growing sense of alienation from the democratic system. The National Housing Federation (NHF) has told the Prime Minister and new Communities Secretary John Denham that housin
17/06/2009
Principal and specialist contractor, McKean Group, has completed a number of prestigious projects worth more than £18m, including the largest composite concrete flooring scheme in Europe. Four large projects have just been completed across all McKean's operating divisions - McKean & Company, Mayfie
17/06/2009
Harland Simon UPS, one of the UK's leading resellers of Uninterruptible Power Supply Systems and Services now promotes and stocks the new, improved version of the Chloride Active range of single phase UPS. Incorporating Green Mode function, the new Active range allows automated shutdown of the UPS
17/06/2009
The Saipa Shishe Company, located in Qazvin, Iran, produce specialist glass such as laminated and tempered automotive glass, safety glass, and bullet proof glass. In production, the Saipa Shishe Company relies on an autoclave, a machine that uses the three stage process of heating, holding and cool
16/06/2009
Construction union UCATT will be stepping up their campaign to prevent the casualisation of security guards on construction sites. UCATT fears that unregulated companies on sites in safety critical locations could in the worst-case scenario increase the likelihood of a terrorist attack. In recent
16/06/2009
The Board of Land Securities has announced that Mike Hussey is to leave the company at the end of June. He has been with the company for seven years and for the past five years he has been Managing Director of its London division. Alison Carnwath, Chairman said: "Mike has made an outstanding con
16/06/2009
The UK's housing market is contributing to a more unequal society and is failing millions of people. This strong message was delivered by the President of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) yesterday to new Housing Minister, John Healey, and nearly 1,400 delegates, at this year's CIH Annual Co
16/06/2009
Energy regulator Ofgem has been accused of failing millions of hard up families after it emerged several energy firms were allowed to overcharge prepay meter customers by £464m over a three year period, in a potential breach of EU rules. Lawyers for the National Housing Federation (NHF) say the ene
16/06/2009
Shelter is calling on the Government to commit to continue funding the regeneration of disadvantaged neighbourhoods in the North and Midlands. In a new report, Shelter is warning that unless Government urgently commits more money, the impact of the recession could jeopardise the improvements that h
16/06/2009
Crossrail has appointed David Bennett, currently Deputy Crossrail Project Representative to the newly created position of Implementation Director. Mr Bennett will start his new role on 20 July 2009. The Crossrail Implementation Director will work closely with the Project Delivery Partner to ensur
16/06/2009
Galliford Try plc the construction and housebuilding group, has been awarded a £54 million contract called Campus 21 by West Kent College to redevelop the college's Tonbridge campus. The redevelopment will include the construction of a new performance arts building, a main reception area, a communi
16/06/2009
A key point in the development of the new Museum of Bristol will be reached this week when the regional head of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) - one of the museum's major funders - will approve and sign off work to date on the project. Nerys Watts, HLF Manager for the South West, will be visiting
16/06/2009
One of JCB's newest business ventures is celebrating its biggest ever order after securing a deal from a leading international hire company worth almost £500,000. The company's Light Equipment Division recently began manufacturing at the £7 million JCB Attachments factory in Uttoxeter in a bid to g
16/06/2009
Towering over Durranhill, Carlisle's new divisional police headquarters building makes a striking addition to the City skyline. The new £8m headquarters for officers and staff in northCumbria has transformed the look of the south of the city. SAS International's System 600 Acoustic Lighting Rafts w
15/06/2009
Brighton & Hove City Council has been awarded £5.3 million to transform a primary school in a deprived area into a 'community hub' with health and welfare specialists housed on-site. The council will be the first local authority in the country to provide health, education and social care within one
15/06/2009
Crossrail has announced its intention to award the second set of contracts for detailed design services under its framework agreements. Under the Crossrail Design Framework Agreements announced in December 2008, the selected firms for each of the seven design categories have the opportunity to comp
15/06/2009
Westminster Developers will be able to apply for planning permission to remain valid for up to five years to avoid projects which are put on hold during downturns having to go through the lengthy process of resubmission, or risk being scrapped completely due to the long term uncertainty. As develop
15/06/2009
An appeal against planning enforcement notices issued by Norwich City Council has been dismissed. A report issued by the Planning Inspectorate has upheld the council's decision to issue enforcement notices against company CA Trott (Plant Hire). The two notices related to a piece of land opposite 1
15/06/2009
The first sports hall in the world to be built from recycled shipping containers has been constructed at a school in Lambeth, thanks to the council's innovative Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project. Students at Dunraven Secondary School enjoyed a memorable basketball lesson as they shot ho
15/06/2009
Kier Construction has been awarded a £38m contract to build a new hospital in Jamaica. Located in Portmore on the outskirts of the capital Kingston, the facility will be privately operated by the Cardiovascular Hospitals of America. The hospital consists of an emergency area, state of the art oper
15/06/2009
Construction union UCATT have warmly welcomed the tabling of a new Bill which if passed would crackdown on illegal gangmasters operating in the construction industry. On Wednesday 10 June, Jim Sheridan Labour MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, won a first reading for a 10 minute Rule Bill, whic
15/06/2009
Just a few days into their new jobs, two Government Ministers will be attending the Chartered Institute of Housing's (CIH) Annual Conference and Exhibition in Harrogate tomorrow. Minister for Housing, John Healey MP, will be joined by Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Ian Austin MP. Mr Heal
15/06/2009
The Rippa Blade from Duro-Blades is a new product for landscapers and gardeners. It is a circular blade with carbide cluster segments that can cut combinations of materials in a way that no other tool can. If you take the principal of a stump-grinder and apply it to a thick blade that runs on an a
12/06/2009
Serious concerns have been raised about how the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) collects vital information following construction fatalities, during an evidence session of Work and Pensions Select Committee on Wednesday 10 June. During the course of the session where Judith Hackett the chair of t
12/06/2009
Ian Lucas MP as the ninth new Construction Minister since 1997 and the fifth in the last two years, must have the force and influence to champion the interests of small building firms within government if they are to survive the worst recession in living memory, warns the Federation of Master Builde
12/06/2009
A competition to design some of the most energy efficient eco homes in the UK, which can compete on price with the cost of building standard houses, has been launched in Wales. The architectural design competition, which is open to any architectural practice, calls for high quality designs for a tw
12/06/2009
A 'YouGov' survey commissioned by the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) expect to face financial difficulties paying their housing costs over the coming 12 months. The survey also indicates that the recession and credit crunch has caused over eight million people to delay or cancel their housin
12/06/2009
Take up of fixed-rate products increased further as the interest rate cycle has now reached its floor, according to new data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). In April, 69% of borrowers took out fixed rate mortgages with an average rate of 4.83%, the highest share since June 2008. There
12/06/2009
Leicester is showing the rest of the region how the schools of the future will look, as it throws open the doors of two, new state-of-the-art buildings this week. Soar Valley College, and Judgemeadow Community College are the latest Leicester schools to be completely rebuilt as part of the governm
12/06/2009
A new initiative which could see hundreds of millions of pounds worth of new investment into the private rented housing sector has received 64 expressions of interest, according to the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). The HCA's Private Rental Sector Initiative (PRSI) is designed to attract insti
12/06/2009
The Tenant Services Authority (TSA) has announced that it has removed Presentation Housing Association (PHA) from supervision. This move follows a series of improvements in performance and a decision by PHA to join the Notting Hill Housing Group as a subsidiary with effect from 8 June 2009. PHA,
12/06/2009
Birmingham residents will soon benefit from the introduction of a "Proof of Residency" scheme at the City's 5 Household Recycling Centres (HRC's) after a survey reveals that 15% of people using the facilities were not Birmingham residents. Councillor Len Gregory, Cabinet Member for Transportation &
12/06/2009
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has heralded the capital's top organisations for saving nearly 120,000 tonnes of carbon, slashing tens of thousands off their energy bills. At the first ever Green500 and Better Buildings Partnership awards, the Mayor presented a range of performance accolades to
12/06/2009
The potential of algae to create new Welsh jobs and absorb carbon dioxide emissions is to be investigated thanks to a grant from the Welsh Assembly Government. This grant will allow the community interest organisation Merlin Biodevelopments to examine how algae can be used to our advantage by using
11/06/2009
The Public Accounts Committee has published a report looking at 'Building Schools for the Future' (BSF), to renew every secondary school in England, and MPs have said that from the beginning it has been "poorly planned" and "over-optimistic". Edward Leigh MP, Chairman of the Committee of Public Ac
11/06/2009
In its report Energy Efficiency and Fuel Poverty, an influential committee of MPs backs calls in the Local Government Association's (LGA) Small Change, Big Difference campaign for councils to lead on cutting fuel poverty and delivering energy efficient homes. The Select Committee for the Environmen
11/06/2009
Hospitals, leisure centres, local authorities - and even central government departments - will be able to save money and reduce their carbon emissions by taking up new energy efficiency loans. The Government, in partnership with Salix Finance and the Carbon Trust will provide £51.5 million in inte
11/06/2009
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has launched a major initiative to convert London's food waste into eco-fuel to cut landfill rates and carbon emissions. Every year, London produces a nearly three million tonnes of organic waste, mainly from food. Nearly two thirds of this waste is currently bur
11/06/2009
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has praised the progress made on the Olympic Village, which has now been under construction for nearly a year. During the Games, the Village will provide first-class accommodation for around 17,000 athletes. After the Games it will be transformed into up to 3,000 n
11/06/2009
Building contractor Kier Western and Bristol International Airport celebrated the beginning of an important new venture. Kier Western Operations Director Martyn Osborne joined Bristol International's Chief Executive Officer, Robert Sinclair, and Head of Development Andrew Goodenough, to mark the st
11/06/2009
More than 18 months of studying has paid off for a Bromsgrove man who has seen his hard work rewarded with a top construction industry qualification. Ian Felton, a senior site manager for Birmingham-based Lovell, has joined an elite band by achieving an NVQ Level 5 in Construction Management. The
11/06/2009
Pulseline Venetian blinds are fixed inside the glass unit, and can be installed in bi-folding doors. The blinds can be Bluetooth Pod controlled, for when it is sunny out side the Bluetooth Controller automatically adjusts the blinds and keep the room shaded and cool. Pulseline offers:
11/06/2009
Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge has been awarded a contract to construct a £28 million key worker housing development for the hospital site to main contractor, SDC Construction. Precast Concrete Structures has been awarded the contract to design supply and erect the four six-storey buildings whi
11/06/2009
Kingfisher Access will again be displaying its innovative package of training courses and inclusive safety kits for working at height at this years Vertikal Days at Haydock Park on Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 June 2009. New for 2009 is the company's Emergency Evacuation System which will be demons
10/06/2009
Support services and construction company Carillion have been appointed by the Highways Agency - responsible for operating, maintaining and improving England's motorways and major A roads - along with a handful of other contractors to a new managed works framework contract covering the East and Sout
10/06/2009
Interserve, the services, maintenance and building group, has won an NHS ProCure21 framework contract to create a ward block at Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield for Heart of England Foundation NHS Trust. The four-storey block will be linked to the existing Accident and Emergency department in
10/06/2009
The 27,000 social housing tenants from across the country who took part in the first phase of the Tenant Service Authority's (TSA) groundbreaking National Conversation have listed getting repairs and maintenance right, ensuring homes are up to date and in a decent condition, tackling anti-social beh
10/06/2009
Ten per cent of construction workers working on the Olympic Park are walking or cycling to work, as the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) continues to work towards getting five per cent of spectators walking or cycling to events for London 2012. To encourage construction workers to continue to cycle
10/06/2009
The newly refurbished Bicester Leisure Centre will be officially opened on 13 June by Cherwell District Council Chairman, Councillor Mrs Diana Edwards, along with 11-times paralympic gold medallist Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson. The opening ceremony will kick off a fun-filled weekend of free activities
10/06/2009
The Renaissance Consortium is celebrating winning two national Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) Academy Awards for its apprentice scheme in Miles Platting, east Manchester. In addition, the Miles Platting apprentice programme beat all the other award winners - including housing associations, rege
10/06/2009
South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) tenants have put their faith in the district council with 72.6% voting to keep the council as their landlord. This follows a tenant ballot in which tenants were asked whether they supported the council's proposal to transfer its homes to South Cambridges
10/06/2009
Stuart Flaxton has been promoted from Regional Director to Director at Faithful+Gould in recognition of his work in the financial sector. Since joining the business in 2007, Mr Flaxton has played a major role in establishing the Canary Wharf office and building Faithful+Gould's profile in the City.
10/06/2009
Harris Construction Ltd recently carried out extensive work to Banks Music Shop in York. James Pertwee of Banks Music in York said: ''Harris Construction carried out the work quickly and efficiently with a minimum amount of disruption to our business. All the men involved were extremely courteous a
10/06/2009
Tp24, the low energy lighting specialists, are delighted to have launched their latest catalogue. In addition to their extensive standard ranges the catalogue showcases the all new Kyoto Grande Collection alongside additions to the existing ranges. At the request of its customers these additions i
10/06/2009
Utility Installation Projects Ltd - a leading civil engineering company serving many clients across the construction industry have recently purchased a custom made 20 tonne cable drum trailer. Based near Ipswich, Suffolk, UK, Utility Installation Projects Ltd specialises in high voltage underground
09/06/2009
Property repair and maintenance specialist, Rok, has won new awards under framework agreements which are together expected to generate revenue in the region of £90m over the next four years. These latest awards bring the total anticipated value of the 22 frameworks won so far this year to £440m, co
09/06/2009
Birmingham City Council has defied the economic crisis by surpassing affordable homes targets, through the delivery of the National Affordable Housing Programme. The Council's Local Area Agreement target for the delivery of affordable housing was set at 600 new homes in 2008/09. However, 772 new ho
09/06/2009
Passengers in London and the South East can look forward to more frequent rail services, improved stations, more staff and better security, Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis said today as he awarded the South Central rail franchise to Southern Railways Ltd., a subsidiary of Govia Ltd - the current f
09/06/2009
England's first large-scale development to be built to Level 6 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, has been given the green light to move ahead. Barratt Developments Plc and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) have received planning permission to build 195 zero carbon homes as part of the Hanham
09/06/2009
Around 200 local businesses have met with Olympic Park contractors to find out how they can become suppliers for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The 'Meet the Buyer' event at Leyton Orient Football Club aimed to increase the number of local contracts won through the London 2012 supply
09/06/2009
Carillion Building is celebrating its success after winning the North West Insider Property Award for Construction Firm of the Year for the third consecutive year. The awards are based on numerous factors demonstrating the success of the Carillion business in the North West over the previous 12 mon
09/06/2009
A further increase in both new buyer enquiries and sales, as well as a reduction in the level of stocks on surveyors books has begun to provide some support for property prices, says Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors' (RICS) UK housing market survey. The number of Chartered Surveyors seeing an
08/06/2009
Capita Symonds has announced the acquisition of town planning and urban design consultants Andrew Martin Associates (AMA) for an undisclosed sum. AMA - with offices in London, Chelmsford and Nottingham - employs 40 chartered town planners, urban designers, landscape designers and environmental pla
08/06/2009
The National Housing Federation (NHF) has welcomed John Healey's appointment as Housing Minister but warned he has little time to waste in addressing the country's chronic housing crisis. Mr Healey succeeds Margaret Beckett as Housing Minister after she announced she was resigning from the post ahe
08/06/2009
The First Minister has officially opened Swansea's first purpose-built Welsh medium school, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llwynderw in West Cross. The school first opened its doors to pupils last September and features include a new library, a fully-equipped IT suite and an original artwork in glass. Sust
08/06/2009
As Network Rail ramps up the work on its £35bn five year plan to improve Britain's railway it marks the completion of one of its biggest re-building projects with a new advertising campaign. One of Britain's best loved actors and Mancunian Bernard Hill (Theoden in The Lord of the Rings film trilog
08/06/2009
Work to boost capacity and accessibility at Stratford Regional Station - the main gateway station to the Olympic Park - has now reached the halfway point. Passengers are already experiencing the benefits of the £100 million investment in the station made by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). Pl
08/06/2009
Birmingham City Council has announced plans to build over 131 homes within the next twelve months; a scale of council house building unseen in Birmingham for the last three decades. The first phase of construction was announced at the launch of the Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust on 5 June. The
08/06/2009
A public consultation on guidance aimed at helping organisations to manage and reduce their greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions has been launched by DECC and Defra. The guidance published under the requirements of the Climate Change Act 2008, outlines a simple and clear step-by-step process on how an o
08/06/2009
Andrews Tool Hire, based in Torbay and covering Torquay, Paignton, Brixham and Newton Abbot, have recently created a website around the product range of one of its suppliers. Andrew Hutchinson, the owner, was impressed with what he saw in the Duro Ltd range of diamond cutting tools and recognised
05/06/2009
The needs of vulnerable people will be embedded in the Tenant Services Authority's (TSA) new regulatory framework to help ensure that services are delivered appropriately to tenants needing care and support. In his speech at the National Sheltered and Supported Housing Congress, Chief Executive Pet
05/06/2009
Lovell has been chosen by Flagship Housing Group to build three new developments of affordable homes in Norfolk worth £5.15 million. The company is set to start work in June on all three developments, which will provide 48 new homes for affordable rent and shared ownership. At Bussey Road, Norwich
05/06/2009
Businesses in Leicester are being invited to reduce their carbon footprint in the city. The Leicester Energy Agency, which is part of Leicester City Council, is encouraging businesses to take part in the new 'Reducing Carbon Emissions in Small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs)' project. The p
05/06/2009
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning employers to ensure the effective management of the safe movement of pedestrians and vehicles around the workplace, after a man was reversed over by a forklift truck at the new £22.5m shopping complex at Willow Place, Corby. The advice comes after BA
05/06/2009
Capita Symonds has announced the appointment of former Highways Agency Chief Executive Archie Robertson OBE as non-Executive Director. Robertson played a lead role in Capita Symonds recent bid for the Crossrail Delivery Partner role and will now build on this experience to develop its programme man
05/06/2009
Sheffield's new indoor market takes a step towards being a reality as residents get their chance to have a first peek at the plans. The indoor market, to be situated on the Moor, will replace Castle Market with a brand new state of the art facility. Sheffielders will be able to drop in and see the
05/06/2009
Carpenter Peter Thirkill from Hatton has become the 400th member of Derbyshire County Council's Trusted Trader scheme. Trusted Trader was set up in November 2008 to help local people find reliable local traders. And now 400 traders in Derbyshire have been accepted as members. There's every sort o
05/06/2009
The UK is missing out on the opportunity to recycle and reuse waste heat produced in the electricity generation process to heat our homes and business, a new report from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) revealed. Currently, heat production accounts for 49% of all primary energy consumed in
05/06/2009
A historic footbridge in Rugby, Warwickshire is officially open following improvement works completed by Danaher & Walsh of Leicester. The Black Path Footbridge is now safer and more accessible for pedestrians, cyclists and the mobility impaired. Designed by Warwickshire County Council and built b
04/06/2009
Luton Borough Council, QED Wates, and Building Schools for the Future Investments (BSFI) (BSFI) have reached financial close which means all contracts have been signed and the funding has now been received to deliver the town's £280 million Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. The BSF p
04/06/2009
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has approved plans to radically redevelop one of the largest and most deprived housing estates in London and improve the quality of life for thousands of local people. Dated, crumbling housing on the Ferrier estate in Kidbrooke will be replaced by 4,000 new homes,
04/06/2009
Retail developer Milligan has announced that it has signed a joint venture agreement with Eiffage, the 8th largest European construction company who already have a presence in Portugal, for the financing and construction of Portugal's first "Retail Planet" in Barreiro, Greater Lisbon Barreiro Retai
04/06/2009
Camden Council has shortlisted two strong bidders who are now in the running to help deliver the Council's ambitious Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. Both BAM PPP UK and Bouygues PEC are now being considered to become the Local Education Partnership (LEP) partner for the Camden BSF
04/06/2009
Manchester City Council's £700 million building programme will safeguard more than 8,000 jobs and provide essential skills and training over the next two years. The many companies employed by the Council to do the work, the majority of which are based in the Northwest, will need a workforce of 1,20
04/06/2009
An initiative to underground overhead power lines in the village of Port Isaac in Cornwall has been completed. The initiative is the result of a partnership between the former North Cornwall District Council, St Endellion Parish Council, Western Power Distribution (WPD) and the local community grou
04/06/2009
Lincolnshire County Council is developing a new children's centre at Holton-le-Clay Junior School with an outreach site at Tetney Primary School, providing services for children up to five years old and their families. Potential services could include parent and toddler play sessions, drop-in sessi
04/06/2009
More than 70 Plymouth businesses will join forces on World Environment Day to drive forward a trailblazing scheme aimed at beating the credit crunch and protecting the planet. Tomorrow (5 June) will see the official launch of Plymouth 186 - a pioneering project to help local firms calculate and cut
04/06/2009
AMEC, the international engineering and project management company, has announced that it has purchased the assets and ongoing operations of Journeaux, Bedard & Assoc (JBA) for Cdn$3.7 million. JBA is a 20-person geotechnical, mining and environmental engineering consultancy located in Montreal, Qu
04/06/2009
Syston-based civil engineering firm Danaher & Walsh, has won a contract with Leicester City Council to restore the city's Old Bow Bridge as part of its Framework Partnering Contract for civil engineering works and structural repairs. Danaher & Walsh are working on a scheme to refurbish the Grade I
03/06/2009
Environment Minister Jane Davidson has announced a review of the planning application process in Wales to make sure it is ready for the economic upturn. The Minister also revealed £1.75 million of support for Local Planning Authorities whilst addressing the Royal Town Planning Institute Cymru Annua
03/06/2009
A new academic report commissioned by construction union UCATT, has uncovered huge deficiencies in the rules covering the management of asbestos in people's homes. Potentially exposing both residents and maintenance workers to asbestos exposure. Householders undertaking standard DIY functions are a
03/06/2009
The doors to the Great North Museum in Newcastle have just reopened to the public following Kier North East's successful completion of an £11.5m rebuild project. Kier North East's rebuild of the museum, which celebrates 500 million years of evolution, proved a major challenge because of its Grade I
03/06/2009
Centrica, through its British Gas Business division, has announced that it has acquired Energy and Building Management Solutions Limited for a cash consideration of up to £3.2 million. The business combines energy management and consulting services with the capability to design, install, maintain
03/06/2009
The Eden Project and EGS Energy Limited have announced plans for the UK's first geothermal power plant, producing carbon neutral electricity and heat from Cornish granite. The Eden Project, a visitor attraction and environmental education centre, announced it has entered into a partnership arrangem
03/06/2009
Plans for the Birmingham Aquatics and Leisure Centre will be unveiled later today as a public consultation programme gets underway. The proposals are for a community leisure and swimming pool complex to be built on land owned by Birmingham City Council adjacent to Nelson Primary School on St Vince
03/06/2009
Harworth Estates, the property division of mining company UK COAL, is the first major business in the Yorkshire and Humber area to back an initiative by The Prince's Trust focused on developing the skills of young people needed to support the construction industry. The Prince's Trust helps change
03/06/2009
Lovell has helped its partner, Gloucester City Homes (GCH), achieve the Customer Service Excellence Award. GCH is the first two-star Arm's Length Management Organisation (ALMO) and only the second ALMO in the country to gain the award. Lovell began working with Gloucester City Homes on its major h
03/06/2009
Wessex Catering Maintenance have successfully secured a three-year maintenance contract for 243 stores with Marks & Spencer to service and maintain its catering equipment. The company is part of the Wessex Group of companies that include Wessex Electricals, Wessex Building Services and Wessex Fire
03/06/2009
The final link in the Blackpath Footbridge near to Rugby Station, Warwickshire was lifted into place by Danaher and Walsh of Leicester using a 500 tonne crane recently. Designed by Warwickshire County Council and built by Northallerton based Allerton Bridges Ltd, the footbridge is 42 metres long,
02/06/2009
May Gurney's preliminary results for the year ended 31 March 2009 show a tenth consecutive year of turnover and trading profits growth, a strong cash position and a buoyant forward order book. The company reported its trading profits rose by 16% to £20.5 million, and it has a net cash of £18.6 mill
02/06/2009
Centrica, the parent company of British Gas, today announced it has reached an agreement with Canadian Superior Energy under which Centrica could acquire a 45% interest in gas development Block 5(c), located off the south east coast of Trinidad, for US$142.5 million (£87 million) in cash. The agr
02/06/2009
A highly imaginative planning proposal to vastly expand a major UK film facility and create hundreds of construction jobs at the same time is about to roll. Pinewood Studios is submitting its final planning application for a 100-acre, £200m expansion that will have permanent film lots - including a
02/06/2009
Tata Steel UK, a 100% indirect subsidiary of Tata Steel Limited, has received Lender approval to reset the covenants in its £3.7 billion acquisition-related senior debt facility. The Lenders voted unanimously in favour of the company's proposal. As part of the agreement reached with the banks, te
02/06/2009
According to the latest figures from Land Registry, annual house prices in England and Wales fell by 16.2% in April, taking the average house price to £152,898. This mirrors the annual house price fall in March. Monthly house prices fell by 0.3% in April compared to a fall in March of 0.4%. London
02/06/2009
Lovell has completed a health and safety hat-trick by scooping a coveted award from The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) for the third year in a row. The company has won the Gold RoSPA Occupational Health & Safety Award for achieving high standards of health and safety manageme
02/06/2009
Preparations for Heaton Park's largest ever, live music event are underway as Manchester band Oasis prepare to perform on 4, 6, 7 June. Concert promoters SJM Concerts selected Heaton Park, one of Europe's largest municipal parks, as the hometown location for the Manchester mega band's biggest ever
02/06/2009
There's to be a special trade demo day at Kirby & Wells Ltd. The firm is throwing open the doors on Wednesday 15 July, from 8.00am - 2.00pm. There will be tool demonstrations, product & technical advice from Stabila, Harrison & Clough, Makita, and Trend. Abru will be exhibiting their range of step
02/06/2009
McGarry's Design Partnership have completed drawings and commenced work for Curleys Trout Fishery. Nestled amongst the hills of the Wet Pennine Moors, on the edge of the beautiful Rivington Country Park, lies one of the North England's premier fly fishing waters. Andrew McGarry, design consultant
02/06/2009
Leicester-based civil engineering firm Danaher & Walsh, has won 'silver' at the 2009 Institution of Civil Engineers East Midlands Merit Awards, the EMMAs on Friday night. Danaher & Walsh, with their submission partners of Capital Shopping Centre and BSP Consulting, were awarded with 'highly commend
01/06/2009
Crossrail has announced its intention to award the first set of contracts for detailed design services under its framework agreements. Under the Crossrail Design Framework Agreements announced in December 2008, the selected firms for each of the seven design categories have the opportunity to compe
01/06/2009
Two Welsh companies have been shortlisted for one of the most unusual design competitions in the UK - the transformation of a concrete basement on the former Ebbw Vale steelworks site into an iconic and distinctive feature for the 2010 National Eisteddfod. The 1,100 sq m basement is 4m deep, up to
01/06/2009
Results from the Chartered Institute of Building's (CIOB) third annual skills survey show that the industry is still suffering a skills shortage despite the recession and downturn in construction demand. 77% of respondents believe there is a skills shortage in construction and 78% of those feel tha
01/06/2009
An online learning course is available for property professionals to train in Residential Block Management (RBM). The programme is being re-launched in electronic form to meet new demand for RBM training to be delivered in a more flexible way. "Before the downturn there was a big shortage of reside
01/06/2009
The latest stage in the transformation of Trafalgar Square has been formally unveiled, following the refurbishment and contemporary makeover of the Grade II listed fountains. A major element has been the installation of an innovative 'green' energy lighting system, replacing the previous lighting,
01/06/2009
Hunter Douglas façades have been used to fulfil the five-star brief of the new Southwark Travelodge in the heart of London’s Bankside quarter. The key objective for the 202-bedroom, eight-storey hotel in Union Street was to ensure that it fully complemented the award-winning Palestra building next
01/06/2009
Kier North West scooped a prestigious Best Practice Award at the North West Regional Construction Awards last week for New Brighton’s newly refurbished Floral Pavilion theatre and conference centre. The judging panel felt that the Floral Pavilion was "a transformational project that is helping to c
01/06/2009
HCP, a division of SAS International, supplied 970 linear metres of radiant heating panels to the new £60m Bristol Heart Institute, which opened to patients this month. Radiant heating is a new concept for the University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust, but one which has been seen as offeri
