Construction news

• Chinese mega-embassy plan in London approved

  20-01-2026 14:34 via constructionenquirer.com
  The Government has controversially waved through plans for China to build a mega embassy at the former Royal Mint site in London.
  This morning housing secretary Steve Reed signed off the scheme for the 20,000 sq metre complex at Royal Mint Court, just east of the City of London and opposite the Tower of London.
  The decision comes despite opposition from MPs across Parliament about security concerns and clears the way for what would become China’s largest diplomatic outpost in Europe.
  Prime
  
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• Plans in for Derby Market Place regeneration

  20-01-2026 12:01 via constructionenquirer.com
  Plans to reshape Derby’s city centre Market Place have taken a big step forward with the submission of a full planning application covering the former Assembly Rooms site.
  The plans are being brought forward by VINCI UK Developments and ION Developments, appointed as preferred developer partners by Derby City Council, following two rounds of public consultation last year.
  The proposals set out a mixed-use transformation of one of the city centre’s most prominent and long-stalled site
  
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• Strabag UK snaps up failed HV transmission contractor

  20-01-2026 09:02 via constructionenquirer.com
  Strabag UK has made its first decisive move into into the energy market, snapping up the assets of failed high-voltage transmission specialist GTDS in a deal that protects jobs and adds specialist grid capability.
  The pre-pack deal has saved 32 jobs at high-voltage installation business Gunning Transmission & Distribution Services.The Stafford-based contractor doubled revenues in 2024 to £97m working largely under framework agreements with National Grid.
  But it collapsed after a string
  
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• Kier returns to monthly net cash for first time in over a decade

  20-01-2026 09:01 via constructionenquirer.com
  Kier has hit a major balance sheet milestone after swinging into an average month-end net cash position for the first time in over a decade, underlining the scale of its operational turnaround.
  The contractor said it achieved average month-end net cash of around £15m over the first six months to 31 December 2025 – a sharp reversal from average month net debt of £38m a year earlier and a peak of £432m in 2021.In a trading statement ahead of reporting first-half results, Ki
  
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• Motorway closed after road repair kit breaks down

  20-01-2026 08:42 via constructionenquirer.com
  Parts of the M62 in Huddersfield were closed on Tuesday morning after contractor’s plant broke down during overnight repair works.
  National Highways said the westbound stretch of the motorway at J24 would remain closed until the kit is recovered.
  The move caused traffic chaos in the area with delays of more than an hour as drivers were diverted via the exit and entry slip roads.
   
  
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• Align closes out civils on longest HS2 tunnel

  20-01-2026 08:26 via constructionenquirer.com
  HS2’s Align joint venture has hit a major underground milestone completing all Chiltern tunnel structures.
  Close-out of works on the project’s longest tunnel brings to an end a programme that began almost five years ago.
  With civil works now finished, the tunnel will move into mechanical, electrical and plumbing installation, with enabling works already under way.Track and overhead line equipment will follow as HS2 continues construction across the rest of the route.
  Despite the mile
  
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