Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
UK Construction News Archive for January 2016
29/01/2016
Graham Construction has been selected to deliver the first £22.7 million building of a science park scheme for the University of Reading. The firm will develop the Gateway Building as the first stage of the Thames Valley Science Park. It will be one of four buildings to be built on the 42 acre sit
29/01/2016
Around 27,000 construction jobs are set to created in Wales over the next five years, according to new figures. Data from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) predicts the Welsh industry is set to grow at nearly triple the UK average, with an annual output rate of 7.1%. The rest of the
29/01/2016
Lovell is to deliver a £21.8 million regeneration programme in North London. The company has been selected redevelop the Dover Court estate for Islington Council. It is understood 70 new energy efficient homes [36 apartments and 34 houses] will be built across nine sites on the state, including fo
29/01/2016
A new study has shown power tools were the most stolen items from building sites in 2015. The research, from Yorkshire-based CCTV.co.uk, surveyed 75 buildings firms from large companies to sole traders. Figures show that while site and contractor van security has improved greatly in recent years,
29/01/2016
Property developer SEGRO has selected McLaughlin & Harvey (McL&H) to deliver a multi-million pound logistics hub project at Heathrow Airport. As main contractor, the firm will develop two industrial units totalling 154,000 sq ft adjacent to the airport. The Skyline Heathrow project includes two Gr
29/01/2016
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) has completed a £23 million improvement project at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland. The project involved building new facilities for Typhoon fighter jets based at the facility. Works included creating a new headquarters building, refurbishing nine hardened
29/01/2016
Wates Construction has been appointed to deliver an £8 million school in Bournemouth. The new St Peter's School, designed by architects Cube Design, will be built at the schools existing sports field on Saint Catherine's Road in Southbourne. Features include 16 classrooms, two art studios, two sci
29/01/2016
ISG has won an £11 million office refurbishment contract in London. The firm has been selected by Aviva investors to redevelop Pinnacle House in Wimbledon. Works include increasing office accommodation by approximately 50% and adding three new floors to the building. In addition, ISG will carry o
29/01/2016
Skanska has announced its UK Executive Vice President (VP) Roger Bayliss it to take on a new role within the company. It is understood Mr Bayliss will move from his current position to Senior VP of Operational Efficiency from 01 February. His role involves focusing on how the company's projects an
29/01/2016
A scaffolding company has been fined after a worker fell over four metres from an unguarded structure. SP Scaffolding (East Anglia) Limited of Gosbecks Road, Colchester, Essex pleaded guilty to breaching Work at height Regulations 2005, regulation 6(3). It was fined £8,000 with over £3,000 in cost
28/01/2016
Four delivery partners have been selected to carry out a £500 million decommissioning of the Sellafield nuclear power plant site in Cumbria. Made up of 12 firms, the contracted teams will deliver the ten-year contract via the Decommissioning Delivery Partnership (DDP) framework. The confirmed deli
28/01/2016
New home registrations to be built in the UK reached 156,000 in 2015, according to new statistics. Data from the National House Building Council (NHBC) shows the figure is a 7% increase compared to 2014. Overall, the total represents an eight year high and is 75% more new homes registered than in
28/01/2016
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has revealed proposals to launch a 'major crackdown' on congestion caused by roadworks on local roads. It is understood councils and utility companies could face fines of up to £5,000 a day for roadworks being left in place on local roads when no one is actual
28/01/2016
A new Build to Rent partnership has been announced between Legal & General Capital (LGC) and Dutch pension fund manager PGGM. It is understood the union will invest £600 million into developing private rental housing across the UK, providing over 3,000 homes. Paul Stanworth, MD of LGC, said: "The
28/01/2016
Work is underway on a new £24 million library for the University of Roehampton, it has been announced. Contractor Osborne will develop the four-storey facility in the centre of Digby Stuart College in south west London. The project is part of the University's redevelopment programme for the 60-acr
28/01/2016
Balfour Beatty has been fined after a worker was killed while repairing a central reservation barrier on the A2 road in Kent. The firm pleaded guilty to offences under Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. It was fined £1 million with over £14,900 in costs.
28/01/2016
Graham Construction has reached a 'major milestone' on a building project for the University of York. The contractor has completed the structural framework for the University's new £8.9 million Spring Lane teaching building. A topping out ceremony was held this week to mark the construction milest
28/01/2016
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has revealed it will contribute £500,000 towards a £1.5 million innovative energy projects fund. The Innovate UK's Energy Game Changer initiative encourages SME businesses outside of the energy sector to solve some of the technical challenges faced by the
28/01/2016
Engineering support company Babcock has announced CEO Peter Rogers is to retire later this year. It is understood he will be succeeded by Archie Bethel, who will take the role of Chief Operating Officer from 01 April until Mr Rogers steps down in August. Mr Bethel is currently Chief Executive of t
28/01/2016
Work to repair a bridge on the A421 in Bedfordshire is due to begin next week, Highways England has announced. Resurfacing and bridge inspections will be carried out to the A421 Bedford bypass eastbound and westbound bridge. Work will take place between 8pm and 6am from Wednesday, 03 February to T
27/01/2016
Britcon has been selected to deliver £2.3 million of civil engineering works at a chemical plant expansion project in West Yorkshire. The work is part of Kemira Chemicals £13.8 million expansion at its 34-acre plant in Bradford. The new 4,700 sq m facility was designed by Engie Fabricom, which cho
27/01/2016
Around 600 acres of surplus public sector land has been put up for sale by the UK Government. It is understood the move is part of a plan to boost local growth and deliver thousands of new properties towards the governments one million homes target. The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has more
27/01/2016
Balfour Beatty has won a £55 million extension to continue its highways maintenance and improvement scheme in West Sussex. The firms Living Places business has been the council's alliance partner since July 2011. It was offered the extension after a 2014/15 Annual Performance Report revealed that
27/01/2016
Approximately 232,000 jobs are to be created in the UK construction industry, according to new figures. The Construction Industry Training Board's (CITB) new Construction Skills Network (CSN) report reveals the industry is forecast for an average growth of 2.5% over the next five years. It is unde
27/01/2016
Highways England has launched a consultation for a proposed multibillion road link across the River Thames. Two locations were shortlisted for the new route between Essex and Kent in 2013. One was proposed to have been built near the existing Dartford Crossing (Option A), while the other would lin
27/01/2016
Wates Construction has appointed Tom Rice as its new Design Director. Previously, Mr Rice worked at Laing O'Rourke as Head of Design Management for Construction North of England and Scotland. In his new role at Wates, he will again be responsible for developing the company's design management func
27/01/2016
Kier Group has awarded ESG a £250,000 contract to provide vital materials testing for the A30 road improvements project in Cornwall. It is understood the company will also provide specialist chemistry testing services to ensure all construction materials meet specifications. Kier is working in par
27/01/2016
Three firms and a director have been charged with safety offences after a large steel structure collapsed and killed four workers in Norfolk. Following an investigation, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has charged: • Claxton Engineering Services Ltd of Ferryside, Ferry Road, Norwich, Norfolk
27/01/2016
Project consultants WYG have appointed Simon Pringle as Head of Strategy and Corporate Development. He will report directly to CEO Paul Hamer. Having previously been employed as Head of Sustainability and Innovation at BDO LLP, Mr Pringle has more than 20 years' experience in commercial strategy,
27/01/2016
UltraCrete Instant Road Repair has recently been used to repair potholes on the Gardiner Expressway in Canada. Located in front of the famous Rogers Stadium, home to the Blue Jays Baseball Team, and the CN Tower, the world's tallest building for 34 years, the Gardiner Expressway is the main route
26/01/2016
Plans to build £100 million worth of 'landmark' developments have been revealed by Bournemouth University (BU). The proposals involve developing the new buildings at the University's Lansdowne and Talbot campuses. A four-week public consultation discussing the plans is now underway and will come t
26/01/2016
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) have revoked thousands of industry skills cards. The move follows a probe by BBC's Newsnight which revealed fraudulent activity taking place at five test centres where candidates were taking tests ac
26/01/2016
House builder Crest Nicholson has reported a slight rise in new builds for its end of year results. The developer revealed an 8% increase in house volumes from 2,530 last year to 2,725. In addition, its pre-tax profit rose 32% to £154 million, while its sales revenues are up 26% to £804.8 million.
26/01/2016
The final phase of a smart motorway scheme in West Yorkshire is due to go live next month, Highways England has announced. Modern technology is being installed on a section of the M1 near Wakefield to monitor traffic levels, provide traffic information, and ease congestion by using variable speed l
26/01/2016
IBI Group has reshuffled its UK and Ireland leadership with the appointment of Paul Hewes as Regional Director. The design and technology firm has also named Neil Lewin and Graeme Scott as its Deputy Regional Directors. It is understood Mr Hewes will focus on 'advancing the continued transformatio
26/01/2016
National Grid has been fined after a worker became trapped in a gas cloud in North Lincolnshire. The gas distributor was found guilty of breaching Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act. It was fined £1 million and with over 26,000 in costs. Sheffield Crown Court heard the company was sup
26/01/2016
Student accommodation developer Unite Students has purchased a development site for £24 million in Coventry. It is understood the city centre site will become home to around 370 students in time for the 2017/18 academic year. Richard Simpson, MD of Property for Unite Students, said: "We are deligh
26/01/2016
Work is underway to build a new £6.9 million school in Birmingham. It is understood Morgan Sindall is developing the new Pines Special Education Needs (SEN) School in Marsh Hill. The contractor was awarded the project under the Constructing West Midlands (CWM) framework for Birmingham City Council
26/01/2016
Geodesign Barriers has announced it will be at Stand C3 of the Environment Agency's-led 'Flood and Coast 2016' conference in Telford. The company's temporary flood barriers have yet again been deployed in many towns and villages around the UK, providing effective flood protection for residents and
26/01/2016
Instarmac, and their Algerian partner, Disalg Sarl, have recently been awarded a €1 million contract for the installation of manhole covers in Algeria with the world renowned Ultracrete Instant Road Repair and Ultracrete PY5. The five-year contract will see and Ultracrete Instant Road Repair and PY
25/01/2016
Swansea Council has selected two developers to lead a £500 million regeneration of two sites in the city centre. Rivington Land and Acme will manage the regeneration of the site both north and south of Oystermouth Road, including the former St David's shopping centre, the St David's multi-storey ca
25/01/2016
Countryside Properties has been appointed along with London and Quadrant Housing Trust (L&Q) to deliver a housing development in east London. It is understood the two developers have been selected by Mayor Boris Johnson to lead the regeneration of Beam Park. Plans for the former Ford factory 29 he
25/01/2016
Operators working for crane hire firm Ainscough have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action following a pay dispute. Members of construction union Unite rejected the company's revised two year pay offer of 2.5% and 2.75%, after warnings that it 'failed to recognise' its workforce's con
25/01/2016
Concerns have been raised amongst industry bodies after new figures show the UK's workload growth rate declined slightly towards the end of 2015. The Federation of Master Builders' (FMB) latest state of trade survey revealed SME workloads continued to grow in the final quarter of 2015, but at a les
25/01/2016
Mace Group has been selected as project manager on a £7 million medical unit scheme in Manchester. The Group was chosen by The Christie NHS Foundation Trust to manage work on a new integrated procedures unit at The Christie Hospital. Services of the unit will include radiology, the procedure unit,
25/01/2016
A Balfour Beatty joint venture (JV) developing part of the Crossrail project has built a new temporary ticket hall station in Whitehall. The BBMV JV, which consists of Balfour Beatty, Morgan Sindall and VINCI Construction, is delivering the Crossrail Whitechapel Main Station Works contract (C512).
25/01/2016
Work is underway on a new £558 million hospital in Birmingham, it has been announced. A Carillion joint venture (JV), The Hospital Company, has been selected to deliver the new Midlands Metropolitan Hospital on the Grove Lane site in Smethwick. The contract was awarded to the JV in August 2015. F
25/01/2016
Construction is due to begin on a 400MW offshore wind farm project near the coast of Sussex. Work to install the first turbine foundations of the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm is set to begin this week. The scheme is being developed by E.ON, the UK Green Investment Bank (UKGIB) and Canadian energy co
25/01/2016
Work is continuing on geotechnical surveys under the northbound A249 in Kent, Highways England has announced. The investigations are being carried out on the route near Sittingbourne due to a large hole caused by a burst water main last week. The roads agency and a team of specialist engineers are
25/01/2016
Two construction firms have been fined after a culvert collapsed on top of a worker and seriously injured him. Enterprise (AOL) Ltd of the Sherard Building, Edmund Halley Road, Oxford admitted breaches of section 22 (1) and 28 (1) of the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2007. It was
22/01/2016
Work is continuing on a £600 million road bridge project in North West England. It is understood a 1,700 tonne bridge-building machine named 'Trinity' has poured concrete to create curved viaducts for the Mersey Gateway bridge in Widnes. The Movable Scaffolding System (MSS) was specifically design
22/01/2016
Industry welfare organisation B&CE is to acquire the Constructing Better Health (CBH) initiative from under the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS), it has been announced. Set up in 2004, CBH is a national scheme for the management of occupational health within the industry. As the hea
22/01/2016
A section of the M62 is due to close this weekend while work progresses on Manchester's smart motorway scheme. It is understood the route between Heywood and Rochdale will be shut from 9:30pm to 10am on Saturday, 23 January. Contractors for Highways England have been closing short stretches of the
22/01/2016
McLaughlin & Harvey (McL&H) has been selected to redevelop and expand London Luton Airport (LLA). Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin visited the site to mark the official start of construction with a ground breaking ceremony today, 22 January. Works on the £110 million project include a new ca
22/01/2016
Energy provider E.ON has announced it will no longer progress with a wind farm project in County Durham. It is understood the proposed Isles Wind Farm scheme near Newton Aycliffe has long been subjected to environmental and technical issues. These include a long-standing objection from the Ministe
22/01/2016
Housing Minister Brandon Lewis has revealed a £5 million cash boost for councils across England. It is understood 48 councils will use the money to tackle rogue landlords operating in their areas. Since 2011, nearly 40,000 inspections have taken place at properties, with over 3,000 landlords facin
22/01/2016
Around £17 million is to be invested in historic railway bridges in Cheshire, Network Rail has announced. The refurbishment programme aims to protect some of the county's most iconic structures, including the Grade-II listed viaducts at Holmes Chapel and Peover. Works include removing water stains
22/01/2016
Essential gas mains replacement work is due to take place in Essex next month, National Grid has announced. Outdated metal gas piping will be replaced with new plastic pipes in Hobleythick Lane and Prittlewell Chase in Southend. Work will get underway on Monday, 08 February and is scheduled to fin
22/01/2016
Cold weather can often make lobby and reception areas within buildings cold. The revolving door has become a significant choice for many architects and facilities managers due to the way they naturally help to keep out draughts and reduce energy loss within a building. The cost saving decision to
22/01/2016
Stroma Tech has announced it is Lead Sponsor of the BREEAM Awards 2016. As a market-leader for providing accredited testing, assessment and consultancy services for the Built Environment sector, the BREEAM Awards are a significant event in the company's calendar. Stroma Tech will offer expert advi
21/01/2016
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is being urged to take action following new evidence on migrant construction worker deaths in London. An investigation carried out by construction union UCATT discovered that in 2014/15 the highest number of industry deaths was in London, with seven fatalities.
21/01/2016
House price inflations across the UK could be linked to a lack of workers within the industry, according to the House Builders Association (HBA). Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed prices grew by 7.7% between November 2014/15. The National Federation of Builders (NFB) a
21/01/2016
Ringway Infrastructure Services has secured a £75 million contract to deliver highway maintenance for Wiltshire Council. The five-year deal is worth £15m annually and involves maintaining roads, street lights and pavements, clearing drains, gritting roads and emergency repairs. In addition, the co
21/01/2016
Wates Construction has been chosen to deliver a new Universal Technical College (UTC) in London. The new Mulberry UTC has been designed by architects Scott Brownrigg and is to be built in Bow. It will provide places for 800 students and includes a 250-seat purpose-designed theatre, media suites, a
21/01/2016
A hospital wing refurbishment project has been completed in central London. Extensive redevelopment work has been undertaken at the East Wing of St Thomas' Hospital in the city centre. A design solution was developed jointly between Arup, Hopkins Architects and ISG which allowed the hospital to be
21/01/2016
Bauer Technologies has been awarded a main piling works design and construct package on a mixed-use scheme in London. The company was selected by main contractor Brookfield Multiplex to deliver piling works on the Principal Place Residential project. The development is being taken forward by a joi
21/01/2016
Work is underway on a new £10.6 million training centre for Burnley Football Club (FC). After agreeing to sponsor the facility, Barnfield Construction have now started work to deliver the Barnfield Training Centre in Padiham. The development of the 73,000m2 site will include new pitches and a dedi
21/01/2016
A sash restoration company director has been fined after a worker fell through an unprotected skylight and broke his wrist. David Richard Garrett, Director of Sash Restoration Company Dorset Limited, of Henford Road, Ensbury Park, Bournemouth, pleaded guilty to an offence under Regulation 9(2) of t
20/01/2016
More than 100,000 jobs have been created due a surge in house building, according to new figures. The Home Builders Federation (HBF) data said the industry is now supporting around 667,000 jobs. The 'Building Communities, Boosting Employment' publication reveals house building in London now employ
20/01/2016
McLaren Construction has been chosen to deliver a £48 million office redevelopment scheme in London. The firm was awarded the contract by Mercer Real Estate. The 85-week project involves redeveloping a 1980's office block at 160 Aldersgate Street opposite the Barbican residential area. The scheme
20/01/2016
BAM Construction has been selected to deliver a new £20 million European headquarters for Tata Technologies. Warwick District Council has approved planning permission for the facility which will be built on a 3.85 hectare site at Tachbrook Park in Leamington Spa. BAM will commence works on site la
20/01/2016
Fire crews have extinguished a blaze which broke out at a construction college workshop on Tuesday, 19 January, in Swindon. Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service were called to Swindon College at around 4:20pm. A single-storey building used as a plumbing workshop was discovered to be on fire. The blaze
20/01/2016
A joint venture (JV) between Balfour Beatty and Vinci Construction has appointed Peter Anderson as MD of its High Speed 2 (HS2) JV. The partnership was shortlisted in December last year. The three works packages will cover a range of activities such as utility diversions, ecology surveys, archaeol
20/01/2016
Lovell has been appointed to deliver a £2.4 million housing development in Wales. The developer will build 21 'affordable' homes for Pennaf Housing Group at Hawarden in Flintshire. It is understood the Welsh Government released the land to Pennaf after originally designating the Aston Mead site fo
20/01/2016
Keepmoat has been granted planning permission for a new £8 million housing development in West Yorkshire. The 'Millers Croft' scheme will comprise of 58 new homes off Chartwell Drive in Bradford. Prior to submitting a planning application, Keepmoat hosted a consultation event for the scheme and ga
20/01/2016
A building products firm has been fined after a worker suffered chemical burns to his legs on his first day of full time employment Stressline Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. It was fined £12,000 with over £2,000 in costs. Leicester
20/01/2016
Paul James Contracts Ltd, specialists in contract furniture and furnishings, won a contract to supply specialist furniture and upholstery, for a new sixty-nine bed Y.M.C.A building in Birmingham. Detailed quotations, drawings and samples were sent for approval and a contract was agreed following a
20/01/2016
Mace Group has appointed Andrew Broderick to its facilities management business Macro. Mr Broderick will take up the role of Director for Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) within the business. He has over 20 years of GHSE Management experience and has specialised in Infrastructure, Re
20/01/2016
Yorkshire Water Services has been fined after a sewage pipe burst and killed hundreds of fish in a lake in Wakefield. The water utility company pleaded guilty to to one charge of causing a water discharge that was not authorised by an environmental permit. It was fined £600,000 and ordered to pay
19/01/2016
Work is to start later this year on a major regeneration scheme in Hertfordshire. Countryside Properties has been selected by Three Rivers District Council to redevelop the 11 hectare central South Oxhey site near Watford. It is understood the scheme is valued at £150 million. Proposals for the p
19/01/2016
Defence Minister Mark Lancaster has revealed 12 MOD sites are to be sold off for building new houses. The move will provide land for around 15,000 new homes and generate £500 million for defence spending. In addition, the ploy will support the government's ambition to build 160,000 homes by 2020.
19/01/2016
Galliford Try has built a new primary school in Sunderland. The new Hylton Castle Primary school is part of the £150 million North East batch of the Education Funding Agency's (EFA) Priority School Building Programme (PSBP). The new two-form entry school consists of two-storey building with associ
19/01/2016
The UK Government has granted approval to develop a new electric line connection to link up with the Hinkley Point C (HPC) nuclear power station. The DECC said the T-pylon structure will form a 'major' part of the projects infrastructure and help HPC 'kick-start' nuclear power within the UK. The S
19/01/2016
An American company attempting to purchase ISG has claimed the contractor 'repeatedly failed to meet expectations' for shareholders. Previously, the fit-out firms board released a defence document following Cathexis's £71 million takeover bid. ISG rejected the bid and claimed it was inadequate. H
19/01/2016
Persimmon Homes has pledged to deliver a new primary school if approval is granted for a housing development in Swansea. It is understood the new primary school would be built in Kingsbridge, Gorseinon. However, it will only be delivered if Councillors grant approval to Persimmon's proposed Bryngw
19/01/2016
CLS Holdings has acquired two office properties for £10.6 million in London and the South East. One Elmfield Park in Bromley comprises of 2,238sq m and has been bought for £4.5m. CLS said when the current lease ends in July 2016, it intends to undertake a 'significant' refurbishment programme ahea
19/01/2016
Three companies have been fined after a worker fell from a platform and was seriously injured at a construction site in London. Beck and Pollitzer Engineering, of Burnham Road, Dartford, Kent pleaded guilty to a breach of Regulation 4 of the Working at Height Regulation 2005. It was fined £54,000 w
19/01/2016
Carillion has submitted a planning application to redevelop a city centre site in Sunderland. The former Vaux Breweries site is the first of five areas to be regenerated under a £100 million scheme by development partnership Siglion. The collaboration is a joint venture (JV) company set up by the
19/01/2016
Corporate Risk Systems Ltd (CRS) has announced it will deliver Health & Safety Open Training Courses at their new Training Centre based at Pride Park, Derby, Derbyshire. The courses will begin from 01 April 2016. CRS has been based at Burton on Trent, Staffordshire for the last 16 years and have n
18/01/2016
Tata Steel has revealed plans to cut 1,050 jobs across the UK. Approximately 750 jobs will be lost at its Port Talbot-based Strip Products UK business. In addition, 200 support jobs are to be cut as well as 100 jobs across mills in Trostre, Corby and Hartlepool. The reductions are due to falls in
18/01/2016
A £35 million regeneration scheme is due to go ahead in Liverpool, it has been announced. The project on Lime Street will now get underway after the High Court rejected a bid by SAVE Britain's Heritage to overturn planning permission. The scheme involves redevelopment for mixed-use including comme
18/01/2016
Planning permission has been granted for a residential scheme in west London. Developer London Square is due to build the mixed-use development on London Road in Isleworth. It is understood the project comprises of 203 one, two and three-bedroom apartments along with over 9,600 sq ft of commercial
18/01/2016
A town in Essex is set to undergo a major regeneration scheme after an agreement was signed between the council and its development partner. Features of the £1 billion project include building 2,500 homes along with a 600,000 sq ft media studio in Purfleet, Thurrock. In addition, developer Purflee
18/01/2016
The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has announced £1 billion of funding towards building new homes across the UK. The investment into the purpose-built Private Rented Sector (PRS) is backed by the government as it aims to develop one million new homes by 2020. RBS said it has seen an 'increased deman
18/01/2016
A total of £5.5 million has been pledged by the Government to repair a historic bridge in West Yorkshire. Ministerial Flood Recovery Envoy for Yorkshire, Robert Goodwill, announced the funding to rebuild Elland Bridge in Calderdale yesterday, 17 January. The listed structure was badly damaged by r
18/01/2016
Manufacturing company Ibstock has revealed its group revenue rose by 9% last year. The materials giant announced its revenue for the six months ended 31 December 2015 was up 7% compared to the second half of 2014. The Group stated the increase is due to brick demand continuing to exceed supply. C
18/01/2016
Oil and gas services company Amec Foster Wheeler has announced its Chief Executive Samir Brikho is stepping down after nine years in charge. It is understood Chief Financial Officer Ian McHoul has been appointed as interim CEO while the search begins for a new Chief Executive. Mr Brikho said: "It
18/01/2016
Two firms have been fined after a cold store collapsed and seriously injured two employees at a construction site in Scotland. John Sisk and Son, of Curo Park, Frogmore, St. Albans, Hertfordshire was found guilty of an offence under Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. It wa
18/01/2016
Wates has completed an £800,000 insulation upgrade at a tower block in Birmingham. The project was carried out by G Purchase (a division of Wates Living Space Maintenance) at Kitts Green on behalf of the city council. The work included refurbishing the 1950's buildings, resulting in significantly
15/01/2016
ISG has secured a £10 million contract to redevelop a former leisure centre into a new free school in Leeds. It is understood the former East Leeds Leisure Centre site will become a new home for the Temple Learning Academy. The contract was awarded as part of the EFA Framework. The project involv
15/01/2016
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is restructuring its middle management team, the organisation has announced. The CITB said the reforms are necessary in order to 'meet the needs of industry'. It is understood the remodel will impact 112 existing roles and includes cutting staff numb
15/01/2016
Engineering consultant Arup has been chosen to lead a number of heat network commissions in the North of England. The company will undertake heat mapping and master planning to identify heat network opportunities in both Greater Manchester (GM) and the Leeds City Region. It is understood various c
15/01/2016
Building services group T Clarke has revealed it is the preferred bidder on a number of projects worth £65 million in London. It is understood the company is the preferred M&E contractor on the 22 Bishopsgate scheme in the city's financial district. Other projects include the 148,000 sq ft office
15/01/2016
UK construction output fell by 0.5% in November, according to new figures. Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed new work was the biggest culprit for the fall, decreasing by 0.7%, while repair and maintenance (R&M) fell by 0.2%. The results are the biggest annual drop in outp
15/01/2016
Archaeologists have discovered over 177,000 historical artefacts at a motorway upgrade construction scheme in North Yorkshire. A Morgan Sindall/Carillion joint venture (JV) is the main contractor on the £380 million A1 Leeming to Barton widening project. Works involve installing an extra lane in e
15/01/2016
Network Rail is continuing with work to reopen the Newcastle to Carlisle railway line after a landslip caused significant damage to the route. Heavy rainfall in recent weeks caused drainage to become overwhelmed and led to the land collapse near Corbridge in Northumberland. Approximately 25,000 to
15/01/2016
A Norwich-based glazing firm has been fined after a worker fell from the roof of a van while loading equipment onto the vehicle. Anglian Windows Limited, of Anson Road, Norwich, pleaded guilty for breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 at Livingston Sheriff Court. It
15/01/2016
The Environment Agency (EA) is inviting the public to attend a drop-in event discussing flood defence upgrade work in Suffolk. It is understood upcoming works will take place in front of the seawall at Slaughden beach in Aldeburgh. In addition, existing protection from the Martello Tower will be e
15/01/2016
Upgrade work is due to get underway on the M271 junction 1 in Hampshire, Highways England has announced. Developer Barker Mill Estates will carry out the work from Monday, 18 January. The nine month project involves widening slip roads and installing traffic lights to support a new Lidl distributi
14/01/2016
Construction wages have increased by 6% in the past year, according to a new survey. The latest UK Construction Market Survey from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) reveals the pay rise is three times the national average of 2%. RICS said a shortage of skills in the industry is p
14/01/2016
Ecotricity has revealed plans to install a wind turbine at a factory in Yorkshire. The green energy company will carry out the project for aircrete products manufacturer H+H UK at its site in Pollington. It is understood Ecotricity will finance and build the turbine, while H+H will consume the ene
14/01/2016
New data has revealed over 50,000 construction and real estate businesses have begun the year in 'significant' financial distress. According to Begbies Traynor's latest Red Flag Alert report, there was a 17% increase this year in the amount of construction and real estate firms under pressure finan
14/01/2016
Network Rail is to resume a signal upgrading scheme in Swindon, it has been announced. The new system on the Great Western Main Line will replace 40 to 50-year-old equipment with the latest technology. The works form part of Network Rail's project to electrify the line in preparation for a new fle
14/01/2016
The Atkins/Arup joint venture (JV) has been awarded a £17.5 million contract to develop a preferred option for improvements to the A303 in Wiltshire. The government has pledged to improve a section of the carriageway between Amesbury and Berwick Down as part of its £15 billion five-year Road Invest
14/01/2016
House builder Countryside has revealed its intentions to float on the London Stock Exchange. It is understood the company plans to raise £114 million through the move and will use £64m to reduce its debt. In addition, £50m will be invested into the Group's development sites at Acton, Beaulieu, Haz
14/01/2016
Specialist building products distributor SIG has announced a dip in sales due to 'challenging' trading conditions. The Group revealed its Exterior's division was hit with a 5.9% drop in domestic sales during the final quarter of 2015 compared to last year. Overall, sales in the UK and Ireland decr
14/01/2016
Equipment hire firm Hewden has purchased lifting and handling material company Interlift. It is understood the move will expand the company's rental fleet and is part of Hewden's plans to further services in the construction, industrial and events markets. With depots in Middlesbrough, Hull and Gl
14/01/2016
ISG has announced Helen Cowing as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). She will take over from Jonathan Houlton, who is stepping down after nine years with the company. Ms Cowing, 49, has extensive experience across a number of industries and strong operational knowledge of multi-country busines
14/01/2016
Work is underway to resurface a stretch of the A66 in Workington, Highways England has announced. Contractors have begun working on a three mile stretch of the carriageway between Chapel Brow and Stainburn roundabouts. Works include resurfacing the road, carrying out drainage repairs and painting
13/01/2016
House builder Barratt Developments has reported a 9.4% rise in completed units for its half year results. Overall, 7,626 homes were completed during the first half of 2015, compared to 6,971 units in 2014. As Britain's biggest house builder, Barratt said the increase keeps it on target to achieve
13/01/2016
BAM has been selected to deliver a £16m Enterprise Zone for the University of the West of England (UWE). The project involves refurbishing and remodelling an existing 4250m2 building on UWE's Frenchay Campus in Bristol. Works include an internal fit-out along with M&E upgrades and installations.
13/01/2016
Property investor Ashfield Land has bought a 30-acre development site in East Northamptonshire. The acquisition is part of the company's plans to develop a mixed-use project including office, industrial, retail and leisure facilities in Rushden. The purchased site is located adjacent to the future
13/01/2016
The Building Research Establishment (BRE) has 'asbsorbed' the The Institute for Sustainability (ifS) after a lack of funds led to the organisation being placed into administration. In 2009, the ifS was established as an independent charity to 'support cross sector collaboration and innovation.' Ho
13/01/2016
Hundreds of people have been arrested in an operation tackling illegal working within the construction industry. The 'Operation Magnify' campaign was launched by Immigration Enforcement in October to stamp out illegal working in 'risk' industries. The drive was carried out in partnership with othe
13/01/2016
Morgan Sindall has delivered an £8.2 million project at Canterbury College in Kent. The 65-week scheme involved building a sports centre and business block as well as a separate arts block at the college's City Centre campus. The sports hall comprises of a wooden sprung floor and a fully equipped
13/01/2016
Galliford Try has revealed its construction order book has grown by more than 15% in the past year. In its half year results, the Group announced a surge of new work increased its order book by £500 million to £3.7 billion. Overall, 98% of its projected revenue has been secured for the year with 6
13/01/2016
Opencast mining group Hargreaves has purchased CA Blackwell for £11.85 million, it has been announced. Blackwell, a leading earthmoving and remediation contractor, has been operating in the industry for over 50 years. Last year it turned over a total of £89m, making a £3.3m operating profit. As p
13/01/2016
Work is due to begin on a project to upgrade message signs along the M40, Highways England has announced. The £1.7 million scheme involves replacing old overhead signs with newer models at various locations between junctions 1A for the M25 and 10 at Ardley. The project is due to begin on Monday, 1
13/01/2016
Humber Galvanizing has partnered with blacksmith specialist Godbold Blacksmiths to protect a range of sculptures on a major regeneration project in the north east. As part of Wedge Group Galvanizing, Humber worked with the Whitby-based firm to provide its specialist hot dip galvanizing treatment to
12/01/2016
A joint venture (JV) between Arup and Atkins has been selected as part of the team tasked with delivering the Thames Tideway Tunnel project. The Arup Atkins JV will deliver the £416m 'West' section of the scheme, running six kilometres from Acton in West London to Wandsworth in South West London.
12/01/2016
Work is underway to build a £24 million bypass scheme in Lancashire, it has been announced. A ground-breaking ceremony was held to mark the beginning of construction on the Broughton Bypass yesterday, 11 January. The project is being built by HOCHTIEF (UK) Construction and aims to reduce traffic t
12/01/2016
Outline planning permission has been approved for a £27 million residential development in Salford. The council's planning committee unanimously voted in favour of the designs drawn up by IBI Group. The development comprises of 246 residential apartments made up of one, two and three bedroom prope
12/01/2016
Balfour Beatty has been awarded a pre-construction services contract to deliver a £150 million residential tower development in London. Working alongside LBS Properties, Balfour will work on areas including procurement and the delivery strategy for 'The Madison' building adjacent to Canary Wharf.
12/01/2016
ISG shareholders have given an underwhelming response to a proposed takeover bid by Texan company Cathexis. The investment firm proposed a £70.8 million bid to take control of the business along with a 143p per share price. However, just 1.6% of shareholdings had excepted the offer by the deadline
12/01/2016
Anglia Ruskin University has chosen Morgan Sindall to develop a new £25 million science centre at its Cambridge Campus. The new 7,900 sq m facility will combine teaching, postgraduate and staff amenities for various departments within the Faculty of Science and Technology. Features include a 300-s
12/01/2016
Carillion has been fined for safety failings after a worker was struck and killed by a train while carrying out maintenance work on a line in Lincolnshire. The firm pleaded guilty at Lincoln Crown Court and was fined £200,000 with over £36,000 in costs. It is understood Scott Dobson, 26, was worki
12/01/2016
The Chief Executive of the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) Andy Rose is due to step down from his post, it has been announced. It is understood Mr Rose will become Chief Executive of Global Infrastructure Investor Association (GIIA), a lobby group for equity investors in infrastructure projects.
12/01/2016
J. Murphy & Sons has appointed former Laing O'Rourke chief Russell Kellett as its new group operations director. In his new role, Mr Kellett will develop Murphy's specialist contracting and service delivery streams. He will also be responsible for the company's planning, productivity and project c
12/01/2016
Two construction firms have been fined after a worker received an electric shock while carrying out cable laying work at a solar farm in Devon. Principal Contractor British Solar Renewables Limited of Higher Hill Farm, Butleigh Hill, Butleigh, Glastonbury, Somerset, was charged with breaching Regul
11/01/2016
Plans to replace some of the UK's most dilapidated housing estates have been announced by the UK Government. Prime Minister (PM) David Cameron has revealed a new £140 million fund will be made available to 'jump-start' regeneration projects. The government will work in partnership with 100 housing
11/01/2016
Property developer Urban&Civic has received planning permission for a £100 million project in Manchester. Proposals have now been approved for a development on the corner of Princess Street and Whitworth Street in the city centre. The scheme comprises of two residential buildings containing 238 ap
11/01/2016
SES Engineering Services has completed work on a multi-million pound mechanical and electrical (M&E) project in London. More than 225 apartments across ten floors of the Plimsoll Building in King's Cross have been provided with M&E services. The works were carried out in partnership with main cont
11/01/2016
Construction workers are amongst the safest drivers in the UK, according to new data from Aviva. The insurance agency compiled its information from the Aviva Drive app, which uses smartphone technology to record a motorist's driving style over 200 miles. It then provides participants with an indiv
11/01/2016
Building envelope and facades specialist Lakesmere Group has appointed Chris Oatridge to Group Business Development Director. Previously, Mr Oatridge was Lakesmere's business development director in London and has vast industry knowledge and expertise. The company said he will be responsible for '
11/01/2016
House builder Taylor Wimpey has announced home sales increased by 7% in 2015. A total of 13,341 homes were built in the UK last year, of which 2,509 (19%) were 'affordable'. In addition, the average price of a Taylor Wimpey home increased by 8% to £230,000 from £213,000 in 2014. The company also
11/01/2016
A £3.3 million funding package to restore a historic bridge in Yorkshire has been announced. A total of £3m will be used to repair Tadcaster Bridge while a further £300,000 will allow the construction of a temporary footbridge while work is ongoing. The 300-year-old listed structure was badly dama
11/01/2016
Project Information Management (PIM) software specialists Newforma has launched its Newforma LeanPlanner product in the UK. The software is powered by LeanKit and provides visual production planning software for design and construction companies utilising collaborative planning methods of project d
08/01/2016
Planning approval has been granted for the first phase of a £750m mixed-use project in Manchester. Joint venture (JV) partners Bruntwood and Select Property Group are to begin developing Phase 1A of the Oxford Road development on a former BBC site in the city centre. The £55m Circle Square phase w
08/01/2016
Contractor Carillion has purchased a majority stake in real estate business Ask. It is understood the Manchester-based company now aims to create a £500 million pipeline of development schemes across the Northern Powerhouse region. Ask's Real Estate MD John Hughes and Finance Director Jonathan Cro
08/01/2016
Chancellor George Osbourne has announced a £50 million investment to create a new technology innovation centre in Wales. The new 'Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult' will be funded by £10 million of government investment per year up to 2020. The facility will specialise in researching co
08/01/2016
Transport for London is continuing to upgrade a tube station in London, it has been announced. Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin made a visit to Victoria tube station yesterday, 07 January, to see progress being made on £700 million worth of upgrades. The project is due to be completed in 201
08/01/2016
Laing O'Rourke has appointed former Balfour Beatty business efficiency director Chris Millard to head its Engineering Excellence Group. He will take up his new role with the firm later this month. Mr Millard has over 20 years of experience in design and manufacturing, business leadership, major pr
08/01/2016
A charitable trust and a contractor have both been fined after asbestos was disturbed during a building refurbishment project in Kent. The Williamson Trust of Maidstone Road, Rochester, Kent pleaded guilty to Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. It was fined £18,000 with £17
08/01/2016
Willmott Dixon has announced it now has over 3,000 homes in its development pipeline. The company's development business, Regen, recently purchased a 1.1 hectare development site at Mill Hill in North London. The £100m project will build a total of 188 homes, with 29 properties being made 'afforda
08/01/2016
House prices in the UK rose by 9.5% in 2015, according to new figures. Data published by Halifax reveals the average price of a house was £208,286 in December, representing a 1.7% increase. Martin Ellis, Halifax housing economist, said: "House prices in the three months to December were 1.6% highe
07/01/2016
McLaughlin & Harvey (McL&H) has finished building a £5 million tennis facility in London. The modern Chandos Tennis Club is located in Barnet and will replace the previous tennis club. Features include four outdoor synthetic grass courts, one junior court and four covered tennis courts with a besp
07/01/2016
The National Grid is to begin a gas mains improvement project in south-west London. Engineers will start the eight-week revamp scheme in Twickenham on Monday, 18 January. The work involves replacing ageing iron gas mains with new longer lasting pipes on St Margarets Road. The two-stage project wi
07/01/2016
New research has revealed over 475,000 homes with planning permission are still waiting to be built. The Local Government Association (LGA) study shows a record 475,647 properties are waiting to be developed in England. In 2012/13, the total of unimplemented planning permissions was 381,390 and in
07/01/2016
A £5.3 million link road project has been completed in Wiltshire. The 2km Leap Gate Link Road scheme near Trowbridge was built by Persimmon Homes and Cuddy Construction. It has taken approximately four years to develop. It is the second phase of easing congestion around the town and will connect
07/01/2016
Engineering consultancy WYG has purchased Signet Planning Limited. It is understood the deal is worth £3.7 million. WYG stated the purchase is part of its planned growth strategy following on form its merger with Alliance Planning in September 2014. Recently, it has acquired a number of businesse
07/01/2016
Sheffield City Council is to approve the sale of brownfield land for a housing development in the region, it has been announced. It is understood the council will grant permission to sell the land to Gleeson Homes on Wednesday, 13 January. The developer is planning to build 103 two, three and four
07/01/2016
Construction work is underway on a new £8.9 million primary school and nursery campus in West Dunbartonshire. The school is being built by Morgan Sindall for hub West Scotland in Dumbarton. The new Bellsmyre Primary School will replace the existing Aitkenbar and St Peter's Primary Schools. In addi
07/01/2016
A joint venture (JV) between Breedon Aggregates and Whitemountain has secured a £55 million contract to carry out a road surfacing project in Scotland. The JV will supply and lay over 500,000 tonnes of asphalt material for the £745m Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie–Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) pro
06/01/2016
WYG has secured outline planning permission for a 650-home development in Somerset. The scheme is being undertaken by developer C G Fry and Son at Jurston in Wellington. The site is part of a mixed-use urban extension and will include: • A new roundabout access served from the A38 • A new primar
06/01/2016
McLaughlin & Harvey (McL&H) has installed a large ruff truss as part of a £45 million rebuild project at Bristol City Stadium. The 220-tonne West Stand truss structure measures 108 metres long and was lifted into place using two 600-tonne crawler cranes. Both of the cranes lifted the truss in tand
06/01/2016
Railway improvement works in the south west and Thames Valley regions are now complete, it has been announced. The works were part of Network Rail's £60 million Railway Upgrade Plan in order to prepare the Great Western Main Line for electrification from 2018. The improvement programme took place
06/01/2016
Thames Water has been fined a record £1 million after repeatedly polluting a canal in Hertfordshire. The water utility company pleaded guilty to two charges under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 at St Albans Crown Court on 04 January. In addition, it was ordered t
06/01/2016
Costain's order book value grew by £400 million during 2015, according to the company's most recent trading update. The increase means the company finished the year at a new record level of £3.9 billion, compared to £3.5bn in 2014. This includes over £1.1bn of revenues secured for 2016, a slight i
06/01/2016
The Home Secretary Theresa May has opened a new £15 million Firearms Training Centre in Bristol. The new Black Rock Specialist Training facility in Portishead was built by Galliford Try for the Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire police forces. It will provide firearms and tactical tr
06/01/2016
Contractors are due to close sections of the M60 and M62 next week to continue work on a £202 million smart motorway upgrade project for Manchester. Stretches of the motorway will be shut overnight for six nights to install temporary narrow lanes on the M60 between junctions 15 (M61 interchange) an
06/01/2016
A company has been fined after a worker was struck and injured by a bus during pipe laying work in Northamptonshire. Rebeck Communications Limited, of Eagle House, Billing Road, Northampton, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 26(2) of the Construction, Design and Management Regulations 2007. I
05/01/2016
Contractor Mulalley has secured a £210 million deal to carry out all planned maintenance and general improvement building works for Croydon Council. The 14-year contract will begin in April 2016, with mobilisation for the programme commencing this month. Over the last decade, Mulalley has worked i
05/01/2016
An HMRC Policy Document released just before Christmas reveals a "gross underestimation" on how much UK Government tax reforms will cost construction workers, according to UCATT. The union said the publication stated workers will be £360 a year worse off under the new rules. The new reforms will t
05/01/2016
Housing developer Lovell has been selected to build a £100 million urban village in Cardiff. Tirion Group, created through a partnership between the Welsh Government and Principality Building Society, has chosen the regeneration specialist to build the village at the former Arjo Wiggins Paper Mill
05/01/2016
Transport Minister Andrew Jones has officially opened a new £20 million southern entrance at Leeds' railway station. The new entrance, located over the River Aire, will provide a direct link to the city's south bank area and opens up access to South Bank Central, Holbeck Urban Village and Leeds Doc
05/01/2016
A construction company has been fined for safety failings after workers were found sleeping on the site of an eight-storey conversion project in Essex. RGB (Plastering and Construction) Limited, of Monkmoor Road Shrewsbury, pleaded guilty/not guilty to breaching Regulation 29(a) and (c) of the Cons
05/01/2016
Work is underway to carry out essential maintenance work to a bridge in North Yorkshire, Highways England has announced. Contractors have begun replacing the bridge barriers on the structure which carries the A64 over the River Ouse at Bishopthorpe. The works require a full closure of the A64 in b
04/01/2016
The UK Government is to directly commission thousands of new homes in an effort to 'kick-start' housebuilding, it has been announced. The Prime Minister (PM) David Cameron will later announce the new policy today, 04 January. The scheme will target small builders and contractors to build homes on
04/01/2016
Wates has been awarded a £75 million contract to develop new buildings for the University of Cambridge. The firm will build 264 apartments for University key workers as part of the North West Cambridge Development. The units, designed by Stanton Williams Architects, will be located around a market
04/01/2016
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has granted approval to develop a new tech hub for business and enterprise in the east of the capital. The project aims to convert the Millennium Mills site at Silvertown Quays in the Royal Docks. Approximately five million sq ft of business space will be created
04/01/2016
Work to upgrade freight railway lines serving the port of Immingham is now complete, Network Rail has announced. The newly resignalled section of track was reopened on 30 December following five days of engineering work. The works focused primarily on replacing the 100-year-old signalling on freig
04/01/2016
ISG has completed work to fit-out new headquarters for a leading global fashion company in London. The fashion house will base itself in temporary accommodation in EC1 for a year while its new permanent HQ is built next door. The two-storey interim office and design space includes elements specifi
04/01/2016
A Nottingham-based precast concrete panels manufacturer has been fined after a worker was injured loading a vehicle. Unbrako Precast Concrete Limited, of Southfields Business Park, Harby Road, Langar, pleaded guilty to offences under Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and R
04/01/2016
Turner & Townsend (T&T) has been selected as project manager for a new £333 million Exhibition and Conference Centre in Aberdeen (AECC). The 105,000m2 complex will be built by Henry Boot Developments near Aberdeen International Airport in time for the Offshore Europe Conference in 2019. It include
04/01/2016
SPIE UK has secured an £80 million contract with Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN), it has been announced. The company's newly created Distribution & Transmission business will provide overhead line services during a four-year period across Scotland. SPIE's responsibilities includes Extra High
