Construction news

• Claritas Group heading for liquidation

  02-06-2023 09:02 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Kent based contractor Claritas Group is heading for liquidation after being sunk by cash-flow and inflationary pressures.
  CEO and founder Jon Wardle confirmed the news in a statement while thanking staff and suppliers for the impact of the failure.
  He said: “I am sad to announce that Claritas Group has started the process of a Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation.
  “Firstly, I must thank every member of the Claritas team that kept supporting me, each other, all our customers that su
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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.
   
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• Legal expert rises to head Balfour Beatty regional civils

  19-01-2026 18:03 via constructionenquirer.com
  Balfour Beatty has promoted Kay Slade to managing director of its UK regional civils business as the contractor resets its leadership bench.
  Slade will step into the role in February 2026, taking over from Mark Arrandale, who has been acting up since October and now returns to his finance director post.
  A qualified solicitor specialising in major projects, construction and engineering, Slade joined Balfour Beatty four years ago as managing counsel.
  She was appointed area director for UK regional
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Mace name to disappear from UK contracting

  19-01-2026 15:42 via constructionenquirer.com
  The Mace name is set to disappear from UK contracting as part of a major break-up of the group’s long-standing brand structure.
  Mace Group has confirmed its construction arm – currently trading as Mace Construct – will be renamed later this year, drawing a clear line between its UK contracting business and its consultancy operation.
  The move follows last year’s agreement for a majority private equity investment in Mace Consult by Goldman Sachs Alternatives. Once that deal
  
  Read more

• Tilbury Douglas regional chief joins Caddick to head civils arm

  19-01-2026 14:35 via constructionenquirer.com
  Caddick Construction has lured Tilbury Douglas Construction regional director Paul Ellenor to take up the role as managing director of its civil engineering arm.
  Ellenor brings almost four decades of industry experience, having spent the bulk of his career with Interserve and Tilbury Douglas, where he most recently held the role of North East regional director.
  He began his career as a trainee quantity surveyor in 1987 and progressed through site, management and pre-construction leadership roles
  
  Read more

• Liverpool mayor sets out £2bn plan to unlock 64,000 homes

  19-01-2026 08:58 via constructionenquirer.com
  Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram has unveiled plans to deliver more than 64,000 new homes, backed by a potential £2bn call on public funding to unlock complex and stalled sites.
  The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has identified a pipeline of more than 300 housing projects capable of delivering 64,044 homes, including almost 31,300 in Liverpool alone.
  The proposals sit alongside a recently announced £700m allocation for new social and affordable housing — described as th
  
  Read more

• Six scoop £2bn Southern Housing upkeep deal

  19-01-2026 08:48 via constructionenquirer.com
  Social housing landlord Southern Housing has lined up a near £2bn programme of kitchens, bathrooms, windows and roofing work after naming winners across 10 regional lots.
  The long-term capital investment deals run for 10 years from 14 April 2026, with options to extend out to 13 April 2046, with extensions linked to performance and market testing.
  Winning contractors include: Architectural Decorators, Amber Construction, Axis, Chas Berger, HLS McConnell, Highview Group.Big names missing ou
  
  Read more

• Flannery to sell old fleet after £107m new kit investment

  19-01-2026 08:37 via constructionenquirer.com
  Euro Auctions Group has been commissioned by Flannery Plant Hire to conduct a sale of its old heavy plant fleet following a £107m investment in new kit last year.
  The plant hire giant has spent £448m over the past four years meaning a lot of machines can now be moved on.
  The auction will take place at Flannery’s site in Irlam, Manchester on Tuesday March 10.It will bring to market one of the largest and most diverse selections of modern, well-maintained heavy plant equipment se
  
  Read more

• Hercules delays annual results announcement

  19-01-2026 08:29 via constructionenquirer.com
  Listed construction labour supplier has delayed its latest annual accounts announcement for the year ending 30 September 2025.
  The numbers were due out last week but in a statement today Hercules said: “The audit of the Company’s FY25 Accounts is well advanced, however, additional audit work required due to the Company’s extensive acquisition activity in 2025, means Hercules now expects to announce its FY25 Accounts in March 2026.”
  The company also confirmed that it has b
  
  Read more

• Benniman to finish logistics park at former MG Rover plant

  19-01-2026 08:28 via constructionenquirer.com
  Shed builder Benniman has secured the job for the final phase of the transformation of the former MG Rover car plant in Birmingham into a major logistics park.
  The last package will see 380,000 sq ft of industrial and logistics space built across 13 units, ranging from 12,000 sq ft to 115,000 sq ft, targeting advanced manufacturing, logistics and distribution occupiers.
  The scheme will be delivered to high sustainability standards, with the buildings designed to hit BREEAM Excellent and EPC A an
  
  Read more

• Graham lands £37m Leicestershire school rebuild

  19-01-2026 08:19 via constructionenquirer.com
  Graham has landed a £37m job to overhaul The Castle Rock School in Coalville, Leicestershire.
  The contractor has been appointed by the Department for Education to deliver a major redevelopment of the secondary and sixth form campus.
  Architect DLA designed the scheme, which will see a new two-storey teaching block built alongside the refurbishment and remodelling of a retained building.
  Several outdated blocks will be demolished to make way for modern accommodation for up to 1,550 pupils.
  E
  
  Read more

• Kier set for £21m Edinburgh towers upgrade

  16-01-2026 09:26 via constructionenquirer.com
  The City of Edinburgh Council has agreed to award Kier a £21m contract to deliver a comprehensive retrofit and upgrade programme at the 15-storey Craigmillar Court and Peffermill Court.
  Built in 1968, the two floor blocks currently have no insulation.
  The retrofit will introduce extensive external wall insulation and each flat will be fitted with a mechanical ventilation and heat recovery system.Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener Cllr Tim Pogson, said: “This £21 milli
  
  Read more

• Rebar giant loses high court fight to save Chatham Docks base

  16-01-2026 09:14 via constructionenquirer.com
  The High Court has thrown out a judicial review brought by rebar supplier ArcelorMittal, clearing the way for the redevelopment of Chatham Docks into a major new business park.
  The legal challenge targeted planning consent granted by Medway Council for the regeneration of the docks as part of Peel Waters’ Basin3 scheme – a proposed 31,000 sq m waterside campus.
  ArcelorMittal Kent Wire, which operates a large rebar fabrication facility on the site, argued that repurposing the warehous
  
  Read more

• £56bn hospital programme on track but delivery risks remain

  16-01-2026 08:52 via constructionenquirer.com
  The Government’s reset of the New Hospital Programme has steadied one of the UK’s biggest construction pipelines but replacing dangerous RAAC-affected hospitals will still miss the original 2030 replacement deadline.
  A new update from the National Audit Office says the reset has put the programme on a more credible footing, with final hospitals now expected to complete in 2045-46.
  However, seven hospitals built predominantly using Reinforced Aerated Autoclaved Concrete are not expect
  
  Read more

• Modular firm backs ‘new chapter’ for Merit

  16-01-2026 08:25 via constructionenquirer.com
  Former Merit Group Services directors are now working with another offsite specialist after buying assets from the administrators after the company collapsed.
  The main Northumberland based trading company Merit Holdings went under owing suppliers £17m.
  A new business Merit Industrialised Construction, which was established in November 2025, has acquired intellectual property, design systems and manufacturing know-how from the administrators Interpath.The new company is majority owned by Mo
  
  Read more

• Indian modular firm backs ‘new chapter’ for Merit

  16-01-2026 08:25 via constructionenquirer.com
  Former Merit Group Services directors are now working with an Indian based offsite specialist after buying assets from the administrators after the company collapsed.
  The main Northumberland based trading company Merit Holdings went under owing suppliers £17m.
  A new business Merit Industrialised Construction, which was established in November 2025, has acquired intellectual property, design systems and manufacturing know-how from the administrators Interpath.The new company is majority own
  
  Read more

• Caldwell Construction collapses into administration

  15-01-2026 18:27 via constructionenquirer.com
  Groundworks and civils contractor Caldwell Construction has formally entered administration after mounting cashflow pressures proved too severe to overcome.
  The Stoke-on-Trent and Warrington-based groundworks specialist employed more than 400 staff and subbies working on housing sites across the Midlands and North West  delivering £58m revenue for the year to March 2025.
  Administrators from PKF Littlejohn Advisory UK LLP were appointed today after attempts to stabilise the company&rsq
  
  Read more

• A9 dualling switches to £1.9bn framework model

  15-01-2026 16:41 via constructionenquirer.com
  The Scottish Government is switching to a framework-led approach to deliver the final five contracts on the A9 dualling programme, ditching the previous project-by-project tender model.
  Transport Scotland will start market engagement next month ahead of inviting bids in March for places on a four-year A9 Dualling Delivery Framework Agreement, covering the remaining sections between Perth and Inverness.
  The £1.9bn programme will see all future work let via call-offs under a single framework
  
  Read more

• CW Plant Hire kit goes under hammer in fleet renewal sale

  15-01-2026 12:20 via constructionenquirer.com
  Euro Auctions will hold a major Fleet Renewal Sale on behalf of CW Plant Hire next month.
  The sale on Wednesday 18th February will take place at the Euro Auctions Leeds site and online.
  It will feature a wide selection of modern, well-maintained plant and machinery, reflecting CW Plant Hire’s continued investment in renewing and upgrading its fleet.The lineup offers buyers an excellent opportunity to acquire late-model equipment from leading manufacturers, suitable for a wide range of cons
  
  Read more

• Heathrow kicks off third runway pre-planning design work

  15-01-2026 11:18 via constructionenquirer.com
  Heathrow Airport has approved funding to begin work on a planning application for its long-planned third runway.
  The decision clears the way for detailed planning work as the airport works towards securing consent by 2029.
  Heathrow said expansion remains the Government’s flagship growth scheme, unlocking billions of pounds of privately funded construction work across the supply chain while boosting airline competition and strengthening global trade links.
  Despite the board backing, the air
  
  Read more

• Civils firm Caldwell Construction files administration notice

  15-01-2026 09:02 via constructionenquirer.com
  Stoke-on-Trent groundworks and civils contractor Caldwell Construction has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators as it scrambles to find a buyer and fend off creditors.
  Industry sources said the £60m turnover firm has written to subcontractors and staff warning it is fighting for survival while talks continue with possible investors.
  Hundreds of subbies were told to stay at home this week after many failed to be paid last Friday. The cash-strapped contractor has been strugg
  
  Read more

• Autumn Budget jitters knock construction output back

  15-01-2026 08:49 via constructionenquirer.com
  Construction output has slumped sharply, with industry activity hit by uncertainty in the run-up to the Autumn Budget.
  Latest Government figures show total construction output fell by 1.1% in the three months to November 2025 – the steepest quarterly decline since March 2023, when output dropped by 1.4%.
  Both sides of the industry were dragged lower. New work slipped by 1.0% over the period, while repair and maintenance work fell by 1.1%.Private housing repair and maintenance was the bigge
  
  Read more

• Taylor Wimpey braces for margin squeeze this year

  15-01-2026 08:35 via constructionenquirer.com
  Taylor Wimpey has warned that margins will come under pressure this year as a weaker opening order book, softer bulk deal pricing and the absence of last year’s land sale boost take their toll.
  In a trading update ahead of unveiling 2025 full-year results in March, the house builder said 2026 performance is likely to be more heavily weighted to the second half as demand remains muted and affordability continues to bite, particularly among first-time buyers.
  Taylor Wimpey said it had achiev
  
  Read more

• Green light for Ballymore 1,685 homes site

  15-01-2026 08:23 via constructionenquirer.com
  Ballymore has received planning consent from London Borough of Newham for the redevelopment of its Thames Road site which will contain 1,685 new homes.
  Designed by Howells, the plans also include a new primary school, more than 13,500 sq m of light industrial and flexible workspace, a new riverside park, and a range of ground-floor retail and community spaces.
  John Mulryan, Group Managing Director, Ballymore, said: “Securing consent for Thames Road is a significant milestone and a strong e
  
  Read more

• Ex-directors buy back Boutique Modern in £24k pre-pack deal

  15-01-2026 08:09 via constructionenquirer.com
  Two former directors of collapsed East Sussex modular housing specialist Boutique Modern have agreed a pre-pack rescue deal with administrators that see parts of the business continue trading under a new name.
  The pair paid £24,000 upfront and have also committed to paying between 0.5% and 1% of the remaining contract value on any schemes successfully novated to the new company.Those payments will only be made on practical completion of each project and only where the schemes are profitabl
  
  Read more

Follow @new_constructio on Twitter!