Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
UK Construction News Archive for August 2016
31/08/2016
BAM Construction has been selected to deliver a new £30 million engineering facility for the University of Central Lancashire (UClan). The contractor will build an Engineering Innovation Centre (EIC) in Preston city centre and construction is to begin in January 2017. The facility is the first sta
31/08/2016
Work is underway on a £8.4 million housing project in Hull. Wates Living Space Homes has started building 86 new homes on the site of the former Milldane flats in Orchard Park. Designed by architects Croft Goode, the development is being delivered for the city council and is expected to be complet
31/08/2016
Contractor BMM is to begin building the second phase of a £32 million flood defence scheme in Exeter. The project, which began in 2014, will get underway on Monday, 05 September, and aims to reduce the flood risk to 3,200 homes and businesses. A total of 25,000 tonnes of material have already been
31/08/2016
Keepmoat has begun work on a new £7.6 million extra-care development scheme in Derbyshire. The contractor is building 53 new apartments, a 20-place specialist residential care centre and communal facilities for Housing & Care 21 on Brown Edge Road in Buxton. The Homes and Communities Agency has pr
31/08/2016
Mott MacDonald has expanded its presence in Liverpool by relocating its office to the Royal Liver Building in the city centre. The new office will enable the consultancy to expand its workforce and accommodate up to 100 staff who are currently working to deliver various projects such as Chester Bus
31/08/2016
HSS Hire has reported revenue growth of 13.5% to £166 million as the firm managed to reduce its losses in the first six months of the year. The Group made a pre-tax loss of £9.8m for the 27-week period ended 02 July, a £4.3m change from the same period in 2015 where it lost £14.1m due to costs asso
31/08/2016
Styles & Wood has been selected on a national framework to generate more than £100 million in revenue over the next five years. The project delivery specialist is one of four partners appointed to the programme by a large unnamed banking organisation, who will each help deliver its UK Capital Plan.
31/08/2016
A company has been fined after an employee received serious injuries during a lifting operation with a fork lift. Knowsley Engineering Services Ltd of Peel Road Industrial Estate, Skelmersdale pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. It was fined £3
31/08/2016
Work to upgrade part of the rail network in south and west London is now complete. Engineers delivered a series of track/station improvements between London Waterloo and Barnes station during last weekend as part of Network Rail's £40 billion Railway Upgrade Plan. The upgrades are designed to impr
31/08/2016
The Construction Industry Research & Information Association (CIRIA) has strengthened its senior team by appointing Dirk Vennix as its Chief Executive. With nearly 25 years' experience across private and not-for-profit sectors in the UK, Mr Vennix will succeed Bill Healy who continues to support th
30/08/2016
Plans have been submitted for a major mixed-use development in London. Designed by architects Studio Egret West, the scheme includes creating modern retail, restaurant and leisure space on the Vicarage Field Shopping Centre site in Barking. The project, which has been developed by Benson Elliot an
30/08/2016
Funding for industry apprenticeships could be cut by up to 30% with the introduction of the Government's apprenticeship levy, according to the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). Steve Hearty, Head of Apprenticeships at CITB, said the organisation is concerned the new tariff might deter fi
30/08/2016
The Environment Agency (EA) has begun work to strengthen flood banks along the River Aire in East Yorkshire. The £7.5 million project will repair damage to the bank caused by flooding over the Christmas period last year. An 800-metre length of floodbank at Carlton will be reinforced using five-met
30/08/2016
Industry firm Speedy Hire has sold its large mechanical plant fleet for £14.4 million to Ardent Hire Solutions. The deal features excavators, dumpers and ride on rollers of three tonnes or greater. In addition, the agreement includes a five-rear re-hire agreement, with an option to extend for a fur
30/08/2016
Highways England is to host a public drop-in session on plans to increase capacity on the A1 carriageway near Gateshead. The proposals follow a recent £61 million scheme to increase the number of lanes from two to three between Coal House and the Metro Centre at junction 71. A total of eight miles
30/08/2016
Energy services firm Wood Group has secured a engineering services framework agreement with DONG Energy. The Aberdeen-based company will support DONG's oil and gas assets across three continental shelves in the UK, Denmark and Norway. Features of the four-year deal includes front end development,
30/08/2016
Balfour Beatty has announced the creation of a new mechanical and electrical (M&E) engineering division. The firm is combining its Engineering Services and Engineering Construction businesses to create Balfour Beatty Kilpatrick, which will be led by Managing Director (MD) Simon Lafferty. The divis
30/08/2016
IBI Group has been selected to provide design and urban planning services on a major regeneration project in Essex. The firm will support Southend Borough Council on securing a partner to deliver the Better Queensway project, as well as exploring how modern technology can benefit the Queensway area
26/08/2016
National Grid has selected Carillion and Eltel Networks to build a £38 million 400kV double circuit overhead line. The new line will run between the existing Canterbury North 400kV substation and a new 400kV substation at Richborough in Kent. The 50:50 joint venture (JV) project encompasses the de
26/08/2016
Collett & Sons has started delivering the first new turbine components to repower Ovenden Moor Wind Farm in Halifax. The blades and other sections are being transported with the support of a police escort, which due to the size of the vehicles need to be carefully navigated through Wainstalls in or
26/08/2016
Housebuilding firm Lovell has started construction work to redevelop a sheltered housing scheme in Essex. The project will transform Reynolds Court in Newport, near Saffron Walden, into a purpose-built modern complex. The existing sheltered housing is being replaced with 41 new apartments for rent
26/08/2016
Work on a £39 million regeneration scheme in Liverpool is to begin. Liverpool City Council teamed up with Neptune developments to devise the project which includes a hotel, shops, restaurants and student accommodation between the Crown and Vine Pubs. Lime Street will be closed for approximately th
26/08/2016
Recovery work to repair flood defences in Corbridge, Northumberland, has started. The work is being carried out by the Environment Agency as part of its £3 million North East recovery programme The project started on Monday, 22 August, and will take place in three locations. At Devils Water a 20
26/08/2016
Construction firm Galliford Try has announced almost 7% of it vehicles are plug-in hybrids, after the firm signed up to a new green standard for business motoring. Companies who join the 'Go Ultra Low' must pledge that at least 5% of their vehicles will be electric by 2020. Alan Baker, Galliford T
25/08/2016
Developer Essential Living has teamed up with modular specialist Elements Europe to develop new homes in Greenwich, south London. The Creekside Wharf projects includes 249 homes and each module can be completed within seven days. Elements will send 632 modules to Creekside Wharf from February 20
25/08/2016
The Brick Development Association (BDA) has hit out at a report from the Centre for Economics & Business Research (CEBR) for the National Association of Estate Agents which revealed a brick shortage based on data from April 2015. BDA described the analysis as "out of date and and unhelpful". Andre
25/08/2016
The Cambridge Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Construction (CSIC) has secured funding for the next five years. The funding was secured from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Innovate UK. It will help the CSIC build on its achievements over the past five years to
25/08/2016
Builders' merchant sales in the second quarter increased by 6.2% compared with the same three months last year, according to new analysis. The figures released by the Builders Merchant Federation (BMF) also showed a significant growth in the landscaping and ironmongery sectors. John Newcomb, Manag
25/08/2016
A 'Homes for Londoners' team is to be established to boost the delivery of new houses in the capital. Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has started recruiting new experts to scrutinise 'viability assessments'. The experts, who will be drawn from finance surveyors and property consultant experts, will s
25/08/2016
Graham Construction is continuing to work on a £10 million bridge scheme in Liverpool. The work to replace a damaged bridge on a major route in the city centre is expected to move into a new phase next week. The weak bridge currently transports traffic over a disused railway line to north Liverpoo
24/08/2016
The University of York has awarded Interserve a £17 million deal to design and build a three-storey development at its Campus East. The 'Piazza Learning Centre' includes teaching facilities and learning spaces, as part of a £27 million project on the campus. The scheme will feature 36 flexible lear
24/08/2016
United Living Group has been selected to improve and upgrade approximately 3,000 properties in Stevenage, England. The scheme includes improving the thermal efficiency of resident's homes and will see the replacement of windows and doors, as well as major insulation improvements such as loft insula
24/08/2016
Kier has announced it has scooped three major construction frameworks worth over £5 billion. All of the frameworks have been secured since the Group's trading update on 04 July. Kier has been awarded a place on the four-year £4bn Department of Health Procure22 framework as one of six principle sup
24/08/2016
Work to secure a mine shaft in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, has been completed. The Coal Authority carried out the essential works to make the mine shaft safe for residents, which caused a ground collapse near homes and garages in the area. The team designed a permanent solution which required o
24/08/2016
Construction firm Balfour Beatty has been appointed to develop new student accommodation in Vauxhall, London. Developer and operator of student housing Urbanest appointed Balfour to build the new 454-unit development. The scheme will create a number of jobs locally alongside an additional 20 appre
24/08/2016
The Environment Agency (EA) has teamed up with Northumbrian Water to carry out repair work in Skinningrove, as part of its multi-million pound flood recovery programme. The work includes channel clearance and replacement and repairs to debris screens on the Kilton Beck, as well as improving access
24/08/2016
Two roofing companies and one of their directors have been fined after a worker died after he fell through a skylight. 46-year-old Lance Davies, a father of seven, died after falling over seven metres through a roof light at industrial premises in the Crumlin area of South Wales. An investigation
24/08/2016
Over 85% of construction workers surveyed considers their building site to be a health and safety hazard. Construction union UCATT said employers are "not doing enough" to ensure the safety of their workforce. The survey was carried out by solicitors Howard Baker. Brian Rye, Acting General Secret
23/08/2016
Dubai property developer Damac has signed a £200 million contract with Lendlease to develop one of London's tallest residential buildings. AYKON London One is a 50-storey development designed in partnership with fashion house Versace Home. The development will provide 450 new homes and is sited wi
23/08/2016
Wates Construction has been selected to build a new food and health research centre in Norwich. The new muti-million pound centre is to be developed at Norwich Research Park. The £63.5 million construction element of the project will see Wates build a new five-storey development that will bring to
23/08/2016
Alstom Transport (UK), TSO S.A.S and Costain have been awarded a major contract by Crossrail. The joint venture (JV) deal is to build a maintenance facility at Plumstead, London. The facility will house the staff and the equipment required for the maintenance and upkeep of the tracks and other inf
23/08/2016
Two sheltered housing schemes in Coventry are no longer fit for purpose, according to a review by Whitefrairs Housing. Harry Stanley House and Edwin Rogers House have been earmerked for closure following the review. Residents were told of the plans at recent meetings as part of a consultation proc
23/08/2016
A property firm has been fined for fly-tipping more than half a tonne of waste. Peter Tisdale, of That Property Group Clifton Ltd, St Pancras Way, London, was fined £2,000 at Bristol Magistrates Court. He was also ordered to pay £500 costs and £120 victim surcharge. He pleaded guilty to fly-tippi
23/08/2016
Forrest has been selected to install solar panels across four community buildings, including three care homes in Bolton. Bolton Council appointed Forrest to carry out the work. The photovoltaic (PV) systems have been installed by the Bolton-based contractor at Winifred Kettle Community Care Centre
22/08/2016
Keltbray Group has launched a reinforced concrete frame business. Keltbray Structures was launched after Keltbray acquired some of the assets of Dunne Group which went into administration in July and has ceased trading. Dunne Group specialised in reinforced concrete foundations and superstructure
22/08/2016
Construction firm Keepmoat has been selected to build a new multi-million pound development in Northampton. The housing scheme for older people, which will be built on the site of the former Lakeview House care home on Churchill Avenue, will feature at least 45 apartments for affordable rent, along
22/08/2016
Skills shortages is "critically" impacting budgets, according to a report by the Scape Group. Almost 85% of public sector construction managers and 58% of private sector contractors and suppliers said the current skills shortage is negatively impacting the quality of their workmanship, as well as o
22/08/2016
A construction company in Bulgaria has been fined after a member of the public reported unsafe working practices during the development of an adventure course in Markeaton Park, Derby. Walltopia of Bulgaria Boulevard, Letnitsa, was fined £500,000 and ordered to pay costs of £8,013.25 after pleading
22/08/2016
Proposals to develop a new cruise terminal in Liverpool have moved forward. Liverpool City Council's Cabinet approved a report calling for further investigations, impact assessments and surveys, and to start the procurement process for a technical team to advise the council. The decision could see
22/08/2016
Garenne Interiors has appointed ISG's Peter Kilby as its new Managing Director. Mr Kilby worked at ISG for nearly six years. He has also held senior management roles with McLaren Construction Group, Cornhill Construction Group (CEO), Jarvis Newman Ltd (MD) and Wiltshier Interiors Ltd. Martin Holm
19/08/2016
Five routes for the proposed Trans-Pennine road tunnel linking Manchester and Sheffield have been revealed by the Department for Transport (DfT). All of the routes join the M60 east of Manchester to the M1 north of Sheffield, with four options starting at the M67. Transport Minister John Hayes sai
19/08/2016
Building and civil engineering firm, Britcon has completed work on a £2.2 million vehicle inspection facility for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) in Elmswell, Suffolk. The new facility is to be used as a vehicle enforcement checkpoint, primarily for a range of safety checks on com
19/08/2016
Construction company Morgan Sindall is continuing to develop a new £15.4 million special educational needs school in Essex. The project, funded by Essex County Council, includes a two-storey school which will include state-of-the-art facilities to support 210 children and young adults. The buildi
19/08/2016
FK Lowry Piling has completed the design and installation of 255 Continuous Flight Auger Piles (CFA) for a new Viaduct for a regeneration scheme in Wales. The £100 million scheme will see a derelict industrial site in west Cardiff transformed into an 800-home 'urban village'. The project will prov
19/08/2016
Four firms have been appointed to repair roads and bridges in Cumbria. Thomas Armstrong's, Jacobs Stobbart's, AE Yates and Coffey were awarded the contracts by Cumbria County Council. They are part of a series of deals which will see a total of £25 million invested to repair over 350 roads and bri
19/08/2016
Two councils have joined forces to acquire Royal Mail's former Maidstone mail centre and delivery office site. Maidstone Borough Council and Kent County Council jointly agreed to buy the site on the Sandling Road to help regenerate the area. The 3.5-acre site is said to be key to unlocking the pot
19/08/2016
Contractors are to begin resurfacing works on the A1 between Denwick and South Charlton on Monday, 22 August. The A1 will be fully closed in both directions between Denwick and South Charlton while the work is being carried out overnight between 8pm and 6am. The work is expected to take place ove
19/08/2016
Construction work to upgrade the Farnworth and Kearsley junction in Bolton has been completed. A total of £800,000 has been invested to improve the intersection of Higher Market Street, Longcauseway, Bolton Road and Old Hall Street. Engineers upgraded the traffic signals, resurfaced the carriagewa
18/08/2016
United Living has teamed up with The Graduate Employment Recruitment (GEM) programme to launch a national recruitment drive to find graduates who want to build a career in housing. The graduate opportunities will be based at United Living's Headquarters in Swanley, Kent or its regional offices in S
18/08/2016
Construction company, Murphy & Sons, has appointed Mr Chris Green as its new group commercial director. Mr Green will join Murphy in early October from Capita, where he is commercial director for its property and infrastructure division. Steve Hollingshead, Murphy's Chief Executive Officer, said:
18/08/2016
A new deputy mayor for environment and energy in London has been appointed. London Mayor Sadiq Khan selected Shirley Rodrigues for the post. She is currently Acting Executive Director for Climate Change at the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF). Shirley has been appointed to drive forwa
18/08/2016
VINCI Construction UK has won a £35 million contract to design and build new student accommodation at Howard Gardens, the former site of Cardiff Metropolitan University. Following demolition of the existing buildings, two new accommodation blocks will be developed as well as new community facilitie
18/08/2016
Construction workers at Mi-Space have raised £1,500 for Age UK after installing a display board at the site of a new extra care scheme in Devizes, Wiltshire. The Mi-Space employees invited contractors to donate money in return for advertising space on the board. Construction work on the 47-apartme
18/08/2016
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) claims the development of the Hornsea Project Two offshore wind farm, off Grimsby cost, will "pose an unacceptable risk to nature". The charity also said the development will cause an "unacceptably high" risk to seabirds that nest on the Yorkshir
18/08/2016
Work on a £10 million scheme to improve and upgrade roads in Derbyshire is continuing. The work is part of Derbyshire County Council's £23m investment over three years to halt deterioration on key parts of the road network by patching and surface dressing. The surface dressing programme, running b
18/08/2016
Construction work on a new cycle lane in Leicester could begin in the summer of 2017 if the plans are given the go-ahead. Leicester City Council has revealed the latest design details to create a two-way cycle land on London Road from Victoria Park Road to Granby Street. The latest design concept
17/08/2016
Up to £29 million is to be invested in transport upgrade projects in Lincoln. The UK Government has committed to funding the development, which will see a new bus station and a 1,000-space car park built in the city. Other features include upgrades to Lincoln Central Rail Station, a pedestrianised
17/08/2016
Portsmouth City Council has approved plans to redevelop a former prison into 230 new homes. Proposals by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios' to convert Kingston Prison will involve a combination of redevelopment and new build, and features a landscape masterplan by Grant Associates. The building's cell
17/08/2016
Union UCATT has criticised Laing O'Rourke's new safety policy by warning it may lead to neglecting actions which may cause minor injuries. The contractor's 'safety differently' initiative focuses entirely on preventing fatalities and adopts a philosophy created by Australia-based University Dutch p
17/08/2016
Contractor Kier is to start resurfacing work on a footpath in the Grantham area in Lincolnshire. The work on the Wharf Road footpath between the London Road and Brewery Hill junctions is to start on Monday, 22 August, and is expected to take four days to complete. Mark Heaton, Area Highways Manage
17/08/2016
Jones Bros (Henllan) Ltd has been awarded a contract to carry out infrastructure works to expand Presteigne's Broadaxe Business Park in Wales. The project involves the development of a new road and the installation of associated services that will open up a four acre site and create up to six servi
17/08/2016
A Cardiff construction firm has been fined after a worker was seriously injured falling down a lift pit. Jehu Project Services Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, Regulation 13(1) and Work at Height Regulations 2005, Regulation 6(3) and was fined £
17/08/2016
Anglesey County Council has approved plans to repower Rhyd-y-Groes Wind Farm. Owned by TPG Wind Ltd, the current 24 turbine site has been generating power for 24 years making it Wales' oldest wind farm. In a joint venture between energy firm E.ON and Eurus Energy, the project plans to replace the
17/08/2016
Instarmac's French partner, Vert Bleu, have supplied world-renowned reinstatement materials to repair a failed manhole on a busy road in Rue des Creuses, France. Municipalite of Annecy required reinstatement materials that would be able to withstand heavy trafficking and endure the constant flow o
16/08/2016
Planning consent has been granted for the Hornsea Project Two offshore windfarm development near the Yorkshire coast. The approval was given by Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark today, 16 August. As the world's largest offshore windfarm, the scheme will power around 1.8 million UK homes onc
16/08/2016
Plans have been submitted to build a new office development at Oxford Science Park. Designed by Bogle Architects, the 61,500 sq ft office will be capable of accommodating 500 employees and is to be built on Plot 12, a 1.2 hectare site in the centre of the Park. The scheme is the first of several p
16/08/2016
New figures have revealed the average price of a house in the UK increased by 8.7% in June. According to the latest House Price Index, the rate was more than the 8.5% measurement in May, pushing prices £17,000 higher to £214,000. The largest annual growth was experienced in Na h-Eileanan Siar (Wes
16/08/2016
A total of £4.5 million is to be invested to redevelop a sheltered accommodation facility in Suffolk. Havebury Housing Partnership is proposing to replace Westbourne Court in Haverhill with a new facility. Features include replacing the current bedsit offering with shared bathroom facilities by c
16/08/2016
A construction joint venture (JV) between Samsung C&T and Tecnicas Reunidas is set to begin building the £650 million Tees Renewable Energy Plant (Tees REP) in North-East England. The combined heat and power plant is being developed by MGT Power and will be built near Middlesborough. Construction i
16/08/2016
Morgan Sindall has started work to develop a new £10.3 million leisure centre in Worcestershire. The new Bromsgrove Leisure Centre will be built on School Drive and completion is scheduled for the end of 2017. Features of the two facility will include a climbing wall, a 100-station fitness suite,
16/08/2016
VolkerStevin has begun work on the second phase of the Colwyn Bay Promenade Enhancement project in North Wales. The scheme involves redeveloping the town's seafront and works are to be finished by summer 2017. The second stage will see 1km of promenade transformed to continue on from the recently
16/08/2016
Redrow Homes is to invest over £6 million in community facilities as part of a new housing development in Essex. The housebuilder has outline planning permission to build up to 750 new homes on a 36-hectare site at Lodge Farm in Witham. 'The Mulberries' development will benefit from a new primary
16/08/2016
The UK Government needs to do "considerably more" to support both the construction and housebuilding industry, according to recruitment specialist One Way. With the sector having technically slipped back into a recession for the first time since 2012, the organisation said a further loss of jobs wo
16/08/2016
Work has been completed on a footbridge upgrade project in North Wales. Engineers carried out the scheme at Penmaenmawr Station as part of Network Rail's £40 billion Railway Upgrade Plan. The 100-year-old footbridge was removed and underwent specialist refurbishment works and repairs at the Centre
15/08/2016
Clugston Construction is to begin developing a new £340 million combined heat and power facility in South East England. The Kemsley energy from waste (EfW) plant has reached financial close and building work is to start next month in Kent. The facility is scheduled to begin operations in 2019. The
15/08/2016
The UK Government has released details of the new apprenticeship levy which is to come into force in spring 2017. The scheme will require all UK employers who have a pay bill of over £3 million-per-year to contribute 0.5% as a levy. In addition, large companies will also still have to contribute p
15/08/2016
Bovis Homes has said it is "too early" to determine the impact of the EU referendum as it posted its results for the half year, ending 30 June. The company reported pre-tax profits rising from £53.8 million to £61.7 million, while revenue also increased 18.7% from £350.7 million to £412.8 million.
15/08/2016
BAM Construction has reached a milestone on its £17.5 million project for the University of Lincoln. The contractor has now completed 50,000 hours of building work without any accidents on the University's new Isaac Newton Building. The 65-week build programme is on schedule to be completed next sp
15/08/2016
Beard Construction has appointed David Sershall as its new Managing Director (MD). With over 28 years' of experience, Mr Sershall joins the company from VolkerFitzpatrick where he was MD of its Building Division. He is also a member of the Chartered Institute of Building and Institute of Director
15/08/2016
Network Rail has completed a flood alleviation project on the line between Didcot and Oxford. Engineers carried out the project over the last 16 days in the Hinksey area, which has seen 11 line closures in the last 14 years due to flooding disruption. Works included raising the track and renewing
15/08/2016
Work is underway to deliver project offices for the £4.2 billion Thames Tideway Tunnel (TTT) scheme in London. A joint venture between Port of Tilbury and S Walsh, London Construction Link (LCL), has begun to carry out water-bourne deliveries of the offices as part of the enabling works to set up t
15/08/2016
Urgent action is needed to avoid an economic slowdown across the UK, according to the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA). The organisation made the call after new Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures showed that output in the construction industry was estimated to have decreas
15/08/2016
A Manchester-based manufacturing firm has been fined after an employee was seriously burnt by a diecasting machine. Presbar Diecastings Ltd of Store Street, Manchester pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. It was fined £140,000 wi
15/08/2016
Highways England has started a £1.5 million repairs project on the M56 through Cheshire. Work is underway to repair the viaduct which carries the road over the River Weaver and Weaver Navigation between junction 12 and junction 14 of the motorway. Features include carriageway resurfacing, replacin
12/08/2016
Wates has won a £20.2 million contract to deliver a new 22-storey apartment building in Birmingham. The contractor will build the new Left Bank residential tower for developer Regal (West Point) and completion is scheduled for summer 2018. Designed by Glancy Nicholls Architects, the 11,905 sq m de
12/08/2016
Scape Group has selected a consortium of companies to deliver its £350 million National Built Environment Consultancy Services (BECS) framework. The 'Perfect Circle' joint venture (JV), comprising of Pick Everard, Gleeds and AECOM, will work together to offer a range of consultancy services and del
12/08/2016
Work is to begin on a creating a new £4.5 million waste facility in Sussex. The redevelopment of Hop Oast Depot in Horsham will get underway in September. Construction consultancy Pick Everard has been selected to deliver architecture, structural and civil engineering services on the scheme. The
12/08/2016
New figures have revealed output in the UK construction industry declined by 0.9% in the second quarter of 2016. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), output decreased 0.7% compared with Q1, while new work fell by 0.8% and repair and maintenance declined by 0.5%. The slump means
12/08/2016
APP Construction has been selected to deliver a new £4 million student accommodation project in Sheffield. The contractor will build the seven-storey 63-bed project for developer KMRE Group on Trippet Lane near the University of Sheffield's North Campus. Features of the development includes a mixt
12/08/2016
Highways England is inviting residents to submit their views over a planned motorway junction upgrade project in Cheshire. Contractors are scheduled to begin improving junction 19 on the M6 near Knutsford by spring 2020. The junction, a key route to Manchester and the airport, is to be upgraded as
12/08/2016
A major shareholder at Speedy Hire has called on the company's Executive Chairman to resign. Martin Hughes, the Chief Executive of Toscafund Asset Management, has written an open letter to Jan Astrand urging him to step down due to "significant shareholder discontent" about his performance as Execu
12/08/2016
A new industry survey has been launched on the impact of the UK's decision to leave the European Union (EU). The study will examine the issues now facing the building services engineering (BSE) sector and has been drawn up by the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA), the Building Engineering S
12/08/2016
Network Rail has strengthened its Property Board by appointing Neil Sachdev and Steve Smith as non-executive directors. With over 70 years' of combined experience working in the property and regeneration sector, both Mr Sachdev and Mr Smith will contribute to improving Network Rail Property's estat
12/08/2016
A school in Essex has been fined for safety failings after a worker fell from a roof during maintenance work. Brentwood School Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Brentwood, Essex, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. It was fined £40,000 with £1,47
11/08/2016
Plans have been approved for a £47 million housing development in Cheshire. Keepmoat will deliver 401 new homes on the former Woodford Lodge High School site in Winsford. The 30-acre Woodford Grange site will contain 130 'affordable' properties and will be the first local authority houses built wi
11/08/2016
A major transformation project at the former London Olympic stadium is now complete. Balfour Beatty has delivered complex engineering works at the facility on behalf of the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC). The scheme, which began in January 2014, is part of an overall regeneration pro
11/08/2016
Costain has reached a major milestone on a £130 million transport link scheme in North West England. The contractor is underway with the final stages of the Heysham to M6 Link Road scheme and the project is due to open later this year. The scheme involves building a 4.8km dual carriageway from the
11/08/2016
Seddon is to begin a student accommodation project at Keele University. The company will deliver new accommodation as well as over 80 new homes as part of a £23 million joint venture with the University. The first phase will see Seddon build two sustainable accommodation blocks at Barnes hall of r
11/08/2016
Linden Homes has strengthened its senior team by selecting Andrew Tildesley as its Strategic Land Managing Director (MD). The appointment is part of the company's plans to increase its investment in strategic land and double its current portfolio of sites over the next three years. In his new role
11/08/2016
New figures have revealed house price growth in the UK has slowed to a three-year low. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Residential Market Survey shows only 5% more respondents reporting seeing a price rise in the three months to the end of July. The statistics also revealed sal
11/08/2016
The Right to Buy (RTB) scheme is in need of "urgent reform" to ensure councils can replace sold housing quickly and effectively, according to the Local Government Association (LGA). New figures by the organisation show that under RTB in England, the rate local authorities have been able to start re
11/08/2016
Network Rail is to begin a railway station improvement project in North Yorkshire. Engineers will start the 12-week project at Knaresborough station from Monday, 22 August. Works include making the station's buildings more watertight as well as carrying out repairs to the chimney stack on the sign
11/08/2016
Contractors have reached a milestone on a flood alleviation project in Greater Manchester. Workers have started to install the first of 26, four-tonne concrete sections into place on Worsley Brook in Salford. The scheme aims to reduce the risk of culvert collapse and flooding to 260 local properti
11/08/2016
As a longstanding company of 117 years, B.E White has a wealth of industry experience. Specialising in industrial and domestic electrical equipment, the company has been producing bespoke equipment for all industries including the rail network, hotels, industrial food production and solar. B.E.Whi
10/08/2016
Architects Stanton Williams and Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands have secured contracts to design two sites for University College London's (UCL) new campus at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. A Stanton Williams-led team will design the 33,500m2 Marshgate academic facility, while Lifschutz Davidson Sandi
10/08/2016
Graham Construction has begun work to build a £40 million private rented sector (PRS) development in Manchester. The contractor will deliver 230 apartments for property developer Glenbrook on a 1.25-acre site in Castlefield. Designed by AEW Architects, the project involves developing three buildin
10/08/2016
VolkerFitzpatrick has won a contract to build a new £35 million road bypass project in Cambridgeshire. The company will begin developing the Ely Southern Bypass at the beginning of 2017. The structure is a proposed new road connecting the A142 at Angel Drove to Stuntney Causeway. It includes a 1.7
10/08/2016
Planning has been approved for the third phase of a £50 million restoration project in Preston. Construction of a new indoor Market Hall, as part of the Markets Quarter development, is to begin in early 2017. Designed by architects Frank Whittle Partnership, in partnership with Greig and Stephenso
10/08/2016
National Grid is underway with work to install a new gas main in Liverpool. The eight-week project involves replacing a worn-out section of pipe on the A57 Dale Street between the junctions with Davies Street and Exchange Street East. The old mains will be replaced with new hard-wearing plastic pi
10/08/2016
SES Engineering Services has strengthened its senior team by appointing Andy Wall as its new Managing Director (MD). In his new role, Mr Wall will be responsible for leading the businesses £300 million growth strategy as well as overseeing the development of SES' PRISM off-site manufacturing busine
10/08/2016
Lovell has started work on a new sheltered housing development in Essex. A ground-breaking ceremony was held on 04 August to mark the start of construction at Reynolds Court in Newport. The housing developer will build 41 new flats over two phases as part of a redevelopment project at the complex.
10/08/2016
Network Rail is to begin a bridge replacement project later this month in Nottinghamshire. Engineers will start rebuilding the structure on Station Road in Hucknall from Saturday, 27 August. Track maintenance will also be carried out. The road has been closed since 04 June and is due to reopen on
10/08/2016
Two Manchester-based housing associations (HA) are exploring the possibility of a merger, it has been announced. The Mosscare Housing Group and St Vincent's Housing said proposals are at an early stage however it will build on the success of Mosscare Shared Services, a cost sharing vehicle set up b
10/08/2016
A £57,000 bridge maintenance project is to begin next week in Lancashire. Highways England will start installing a new bridge joint at the D'Urton Lane bridge near junction 1 of the M55 on Monday, 15 August. For safety reasons, a series of overnight motorway closures will take place from 9pm – 6am
09/08/2016
Plans have been approved for a new housing development in Barnet. Willmott Dixon will deliver 188 new homes as part of the Millbrook Park development in Mill Hill. Designed by architects Broadway Malyan, the overall scheme will see a new community built featuring over 2,000 new homes in a landscap
09/08/2016
Mixed-use developer St George has acquired a £100 million development site in Ealing. The company has purchased the Ealing Filmworks site in the town centre from Land Securities. Detailed planning consent for the site has already been approved, which includes 75,000 sq ft of retail space anchored
09/08/2016
Work has started to appoint a contractor to deliver a £263 million transport scheme in London. Transport for London (TfL) is seeking a firm to build the Barking Riverside extension, a rail link project to serve the 11,000-home east London development site. Construction is to begin in late 2017 wit
09/08/2016
McMullen Facades has won a £16 million contract to work on a new high-rise tower development in London. The contractor has been selected by Lendlease to deliver the full vertical envelope for the 31-storey 'The Highwood' in the Elephant & Castle area. Designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris Archi
09/08/2016
Keepmoat has revealed plans to create a new £35.5 million housing development in Wigan. The housebuilder has purchased the site of a former Barr's soft drink factory and plans to deliver 194 homes as part of a regeneration project. Work on the 'Cottonfields' development is expected to get underway
09/08/2016
Turner & Townsend (T&T) has been selected to provide commercial support services on the £4.2 billion Thames Tideway Tunnel project. The four-year deal involves the company providing project and programme management resources. It was one of three consultants selected to the commercial support servic
09/08/2016
Network Rail has completed a £76 million track upgrade project between Banbury, Bicester and Leamington Spa. The 18-month project on the Chiltern Main Line was carried out as part of the company's £40 billion railway upgrade plan. Engineers replaced signalling through Banbury as well as laying 14,
09/08/2016
Industry consultants Pell Frischmann has acquired mechanical and electrical (M&E) specialist Desco. The purchase is part of the consultancy's plans to build a group of market-leading engineering consultants. Desco, which has offices in Sunderland, London, Croydon, Leeds, Qatar, and Manila, will ke
09/08/2016
Construction equipment supplier Groundforce is providing its large hire fleet for a major water infrastructure project in Glasgow. Scottish Water is building a 3.1 mile-long waste water tunnel in the south of Glasgow as part of the biggest upgrade of the city's waste water network in more than a ce
09/08/2016
Furnitubes has delivered a roof garden at the Green Dragon House apartment building in London. Located in the heart of Croydon, Green Dragon House was an anonymous and vacant 1960s office building prior to its redevelopment into 119 luxury one and two bedroom apartments by Inspired Homes. With a m
08/08/2016
Interserve has secured a £20 million contract to provide security services for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The deal is a two-year extension to an original three-year Corporation's National Security Contract. The account extension will get underway in early 2017. The company is the
08/08/2016
Work is underway to seek a contractor for a £15.7 million transport project in Wigan. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has opened a prequalification which will select a construction firm to build a new bus station on the site of the current Wigan Bus Station. Plans for the project were appr
08/08/2016
Plans have been scrapped for a three-way merger between housing associations L&Q, The Hyde Group and East Thames. The organisations announced in April they were exploring the potential for a partnership. However after months of negotiations, Hyde and L&Q have decided to end plans for a merger. L&Q
08/08/2016
A company has been fined for operating an unsafe timber-frame construction site in South Wales. J G Hale Construction Ltd, of Milland Road, Neath, South Wales, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 27 and 29 of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. It was fined £40,000 and £6
08/08/2016
Britcon UK has completed a new housing development in Leeds. The contractor has transformed the former Squinting Cat pub site in Swarcliffe into 18 new apartments known as 'The Plantation'. The project forms part of the council's plans to build 1,000 new homes and have been designed and built with
08/08/2016
Members of the Construction Industry Council (CIC) have agreed to help tackle the problems Brexit poses for the built environment professions. At a group meeting last week, the organisation discussed opportunities and challenges created by the UK's decision to leave the European Union. The CIC agr
08/08/2016
Work is to begin on a £231,000 bridge maintenance project in Cumbria. Engineers will start repairing two bridges carrying the A590 over the main railway line for Barrow this weekend. Work on the two structures, at Red Syke and Dykelands between Ulverston and Dalton-in-Furness, includes new paint t
08/08/2016
The director of a plumbing firm and three of its subcontractors have been sentenced for "ripping off" elderly customers with excessive pay rates in Staffordshire. Duane Linton, 34, company director of both Plumb-Tech Plumbing and Heating Ltd in Birmingham, pleaded guilty to fraud by false represent
05/08/2016
Six construction firms have been shortlisted to bid for a £450 million regeneration scheme in Haringey. The 11-hectare High Road West project will see over 1,400 new homes built in Tottenham. The shortlisted companies are: • Barratt Developments • Countryside Properties UK • Lendlease Developme
05/08/2016
Brick manufacturer Ibstock has reported a "robust" trading performance its in its interim results for the six months ended June 2016. The company revealed revenue had grown 3.3% from £203.4 million in 2015 to £210 million this year. In addition, Ibstock reported a rise in adjusted earnings to £55.
05/08/2016
Plans have been approved for a £7 million refurbishment scheme at a shopping centre in Barnet. The project is being developed by Hunter Real Estate Investment Managers at the Spires Shopping Centre. Designed by Leslie Jones Architecture, the scheme involves building three new restaurants along wit
05/08/2016
Bellway has stated it is "too early" to assess the impact of the EU referendum after revealing its housing revenue is expected to increase to £2.2 billion this year. In its trading update for the year ending on 31 July 2016, the company said housing completions rose 12.5% to 8,721 this year compare
05/08/2016
Graham Construction has started building work on a new £11.3 million railway station in Warwickshire. The new station is being built in Kenilworth and is scheduled to open in late 2017. Features of the development includes a main station 'heritage style' building and footbridge, incorporating desi
05/08/2016
Concerns have been raised over the ability of construction firms to address late payment issues after the Bank of England cut base interest rates to a historic low. With rates slashed from 0.5% to 0.25%, the National Federation of Builders (NFB) said the measure will affect the amount of money cred
05/08/2016
Contractors A-one+ has begun using new "innovative" machinery to carry out a resurfacing project on the A1 at Brownieside in Northumberland. The new technology is being used for the first time in the UK and allows workers to carry out road maintenance projects in a quicker timeframe. The machinery
05/08/2016
Wates Smartspace has started refurbishment work on a police station in Wirral. The five-month project involves upgrading Bebington Police Station which has been closed since November 2013. Features include developing a new car park and lift, new power, data, heating and ventilation systems and lan
05/08/2016
Network Rail has strengthened its senior team by appointing Becky Lumlock a Route Managing Director (MD) for Wessex. Ms Lumlock is currently MD of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) importer Dragon LNG and is set to join Network Rail on 01 November. With over 20 years' experience in the energy industry,
05/08/2016
Turner & Townsend (T&T) has been selected to provide health and safety support on a £300 million construction project in the West Midlands. The London Taxi Company (LTC) is building a new factory in Coventry to produce next generation electric vehicles for its iconic black cab brand. The new plant
04/08/2016
Plans have been approved to build hundreds of new homes in West London. City Mayor Sadiq Khan has given the go-ahead for 605 new homes to be delivered at the Old Oak regeneration site. The developers, Genesis Housing Association (HA) and Queens Park Rangers Football Club QPR) , also plan to build
04/08/2016
Plans have been approved for a new student accommodation project at the University of Sussex. Balfour Beatty is to create 2,100 new bedrooms on the University's campus and work is scheduled to begin in January 2017. The contractor will also develop a new building for the Student's Union as well as
04/08/2016
Kier has secured a £9.7 million contract to upgrade an army barracks in Hampshire. The contractor will develop the final phase of improvements at Baker Barracks and work is to begin in October 2016. The deal involves building a new training centre, an armoury and office extensions at the West Suss
04/08/2016
Willmott Dixon has been appointed to develop a £15 million leisure centre development in West Sussex. The contractor will build the new facility for Arun District Council in Littlehampton. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2017 and the facility will be built on the site of the current sports d
04/08/2016
Developers Delancy and the LRC Group have been granted approval to build a 600,000 ft office development in London. The city centre project involves developed a new major commercial campus on the former 5.2 acre Royal Mint site. The BREEAM 'Excellent' scheme will feature five buildings, providing
04/08/2016
Work is progressing on a £6.4 million bridge rebuild scheme in Devon. Highways England is redeveloping the Merafield Bridge at Plympton after the old structure was suffering from alkali silica reaction, commonly known as "concrete cancer". Timelapse footage has now been released showing the develo
04/08/2016
Interserve has been selected to provide total facilities management (FM) services for the Home office. The five-year contract will see the construction firm deliver maintenance, cleaning, catering, security support and other services across two 'regions' of the Department's estate. The deal covers
04/08/2016
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is seeking applicants to apply for its newly created Industry Relations Director role. The organisation said industry firms are currently facing "major changes", including economic uncertainty caused by Brexit, the Apprenticeship Levy, and an overhaul
04/08/2016
Work is continuing on a major flood protection project in Stockton. The scheme is being delivered by the Environment Agency (EA) and involves building new defences to reduce the risk of flooding from Lustrum Beck for over 150 homes and businesses. Work is almost complete on a flood wall along the
03/08/2016
Neptune Developments has received approval for a £39 million regeneration scheme in Liverpool after the Court of Appeal rejected a legal challenge against the project. The redevelopment of Lime Street will proceed after a bid by SAVE Britain's Heritage to overturn planning permission was dismissed.
03/08/2016
Scientists from the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) are working to create 'smart bricks' for the construction industry. The research team is working to develop the materials as part of the €3.2 million European 'Living Architecture' (LIAR) project led by Newcastle University. The '
03/08/2016
Contractor Robert Woodhead has started a £2.2 million extension project at Bishop Grosseteste University in Lincoln. Designed by LK2 Architects, the project at Constance Stewart Hall is to be completed by summer 2017. The first phase of the scheme was completed last year by Robert Woodhead and pha
03/08/2016
Union Unite is calling on the UK Government to take "immediate action" to support major infrastructure projects in the country. The recent Markit/CIPS UK manufacturing purchasing managers' index revealed manufacturing is now at its lowest level in more than three years, while job losses in the sect
03/08/2016
The UK's construction industry is more at risk from a skills crisis rather than the vote to leave the European Union, according to recruiter One Way. The industry recruitment specialist said while commentators have suggested the Brexit vote is the "main threat" to the sector, its own analysis found
03/08/2016
The Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) has called on the UK Government to back tidal lagoon technology. The organisation is lending its support to the six proposed renewable energy schemes in the wake of the government-commissioned review on the sector. The Hendry Review is assessing the str
03/08/2016
Keepmoat has been awarded a £12 million contract to build a new extra care development in Essex. The housebuilder will develop 73 apartments on Radwinter Road in Saffron Walden for East Thames Housing Association (HA). Features of the development include community facilities such as a lounge, a re
03/08/2016
An investigation is underway following the collapse of a road bridge onto a railway in Leicestershire. Network Rail said the structure partially deteriorated onto the line at Grove Lane near Barrow Upon Soar on Monday, 01 August. Engineers have now repaired the tracks and reopened the line to a "n
02/08/2016
Lovell has reached a milestone on a major regeneration project in Blackpool. The housing regeneration specialist has levelled three tower blocks at the Queens Park estate as part of an ongoing redevelopment programme in the area. The 23-storey Walter Robinson Court and 16-storey Elizabeth and Chur
02/08/2016
A call for evidence has been launched by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) on how to tackle the UK's housing crisis. The organisation is working as part of the Government-led National Housing Taskforce to examine skills, materials and new technology in the housing sector. The Taskforce, w
02/08/2016
New figures have revealed UK construction output levels have declined at their fastest rate for seven years. The latest Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) registered at 45.9 in July, down from 46.0 in June. The reading signals the fastest overall decline in output since J
02/08/2016
Mace has been selected to help deliver a £6.5 million theatre redevelopment project in Manchester. The company will provide project management services on a two-year scheme to transform the Contact Theatre on Oxford Road. Designed by architect Sheppard Robson, the project involves re-designing and
02/08/2016
VolkerStevin is continuing work to upgrade a jetty at HMNB Portsmouth. A two-part frequency converter has been delivered to the naval base, which will help provide HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales with electricity. A new substation has also been built at the port by the Defence Infrastr
02/08/2016
Lakehouse has secured a £37 million contract with Scottish Power to install domestic smart meters across Northern Scotland, Wales and North West England. The energy support services group is anticipating to install over 450,000 units during the course of the five-year deal. As part of the contract
02/08/2016
The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has said it is "critical" that Welsh housing and infrastructure plans are still delivered following the EU referendum. The organisation is concerned for future construction projects as Brexit will result in the loss of EU structural funding. It added suggest
02/08/2016
Network Rail is continuing work on a £6.5 million drainage upgrade project in London. Engineers have so far completed two weeks of improvement works at Fulwell and the project is on schedule to finish this autumn. Network Rail said the development will significantly improve the flooding resilience
02/08/2016
Highways England is underway with work to install new snow poles on the A66 road in Country Durham. The 10-week scheme will be carried out in 2.5 mile stretches between the Bowes snow gates and the Cumbrian border. In order for contractors to deliver the project safely, lane closures will be in ef
02/08/2016
Host of several football games in the recent UEFA Euro 2016 Championships, the impressive Allianz Riviera Stadium in Nice, France features on the front cover of a new brochure from VinylPlus celebrating the prominent role played by PVC in the construction of modern sports venues. Published by Viny
01/08/2016
Planning approval has been granted for a new £20 million laboratory facility in Newcastle. The Newcastle Laboratory is scheduled to begin construction in late 2017 and will help create hundreds of new jobs on Newcastle Science Central. The project has been developed by Aura alongside architects Ry
01/08/2016
Work has been temporarily suspended on a new £10 million community centre in Cambridge. ISG immediately closed the Clay Farm site in May after a cladding panel became dislodged and fell from the building. An investigation into the incident is still ongoing. Alan Carter, project leader for Cambridg
01/08/2016
Plans have been approved for a £13.3 million M181 motorway upgrade scheme in North Lincolnshire. Developers Lucent Fund and Maltgrade are planning to build over 6,000 new homes by 2028 as part of the £1.3 billion Lincolnshire Lakes project. The road scheme, which is predicted to generate up to 4,0
01/08/2016
A major milestone has been reached on the £600 million Mersey Gateway project. A 77 metre-long centre section of the Movable Scaffold System (MSS) bridge building machine was lifted into place last week in Runcorn. One 700-tonne crane and another 750-tonne crane were used to complete the operation
01/08/2016
BAM Construction has delivered three building projects worth more than £40 million in Somerset. The company has handed over Blackbrook Pool in Taunton, a new secure healthcare facility in Wellington, and the new North Somerset Enterprise and Technology College (NSETC) in Weston-super-Mare. BAM is
01/08/2016
An investigation is underway after a Network Rail worker was nearly struck by a train in Hampshire. The employee was part of a team carrying out rail inspections and maintenance at 12.22pm near Shawford, Hampshire on Friday, 24 June. The Network Rail worker had accessed the railway at Shawford sta
01/08/2016
A home improvement company has been fined for removing asbestos in an unsafe manner from a property in St Albans. Ace of Hearts (AOH) Home Improvements Limited, of Alldicks Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 8(1) and Regulation 16 of the Control of Asbestos
01/08/2016
New figures have revealed over 40,000 UK homes were registered during the second quarter of this year. According to the National House-Building Council (NHBC), it registered 41,222 new properties in Q2, a 1% increase from the same period last year (40,931 new homes) and the strongest quarter since
01/08/2016
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has selected Galliford Try to build a new £5 million flood protection scheme in South Wales. The project aims to protect over 660 properties from flooding in Newport. Features of the scheme include developing sheetpiling, earth embankments, ground raising and flood wa
01/08/2016
Work is underway on a M6 resurfacing project in Lancashire. Highways England has began resurfacing two miles of the motorway between junction 29 (for Burnley) and junction 30 (for Blackburn). The three-lane scheme will be carried out over two nights. Work is also underway on the southbound carriag
