• Kier wins £118m civil service Darlington hub

    Kier wins £118m civil service Darlington hub
    The Government Property Agency has signed Kier to deliver its civil service office hub at the Darlington Economic Campus.
    Kier has signed a pre-construction deal in readiness to deliver the project, earmarked for Brunswick Street, after the planning application was lodged with Darlington Borough Council last month.
    The Hub building would be home to 1,450 civil servants and represents a £118m investment into the town.Construction of the building is scheduled to begin ar the end of this year
  • Statom starts on £25m Bristol Airport precast car park

    Statom starts on £25m Bristol Airport precast car park
    Statom Group has started work on a new £25m multi-storey car park project at Bristol Airport for Griffiths Farrans JV.
    The main £60m contract to deliver a new transport hub at the airport was awarded to the Griffiths Farrans JV last November.
    Statom has been working with them for months on the car-park’s design and the first suspended slab was poured yesterday.It is the first of 45,000m2 of suspended slabs that will be built to eventually accommodate around 2,000 cars with a ne
  • Hill submits £800m East London estate rebuild plan

    Hill submits £800m East London estate rebuild plan
    Plans to redevelop one of the largest estates in East London with over 1,900 new homes are advancing with the submission of plans.
    A development partnership between house builder Hill and housing association Poplar HARCA is bringing forward the £800m Treviot Estate redevelopment scheme in the Borough of Tower Hamlets.
    As one of the largest estate regenerations in London, the redevelopment of Teviot in Poplar will transform the area as it is built out over five phases.The partnership has su
  • Build problems plunge Crest Nicholson to a £31m loss

    Build problems plunge Crest Nicholson to a £31m loss
    The discovery of more build problems across legacy sites has blown a hole in Crest Nicholson’s latest results.
    The house builder confirmed £15m of legacy contract problems in March at four jobs completed by its now closed Regeneration division.
    But a wider review of jobs across the whole company has unearthed further problems resulting in the provision being increased to £31.4m.That has sent the company into the red with results for the half year to April 2024 showing a pre-tax
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  • Rebooted Amey lifts contract win rate to 1 in 3 bids

    Rebooted Amey lifts contract win rate to 1 in 3 bids
    Infrastructure contractor and consultant Amey has delivered ahead of expectation in its first year under private equity ownership following Ferrovial’s decision to offload the business for £400m.
    The firm has significantly boosted its order book and lifted its contract bidding win rate to one in three projects, compared with a success rate of just one in 14  under the ownership of Ferrovial when it suffered significant losses.
    Andy Milner, chief executive of Amey, said: “I
  • Galliford Try wins £69m Scottish school job

    Galliford Try wins £69m Scottish school job
    Galliford Try has signed a £69m contract to build the new Paisley Grammar School Community Campus on behalf of Renfrewshire Council in Scotland.
    Designed by architect Ryder, the school is being funded by Renfrewshire Council and Scottish Futures Trust, as part of the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme.
    It will feature new all-weather sports pitches and a 300-seat theatre, alongside new educational facilities that will accommodate up to 1,380 pupils.
    Work will
  • BAM Nuttall fined £2.3million after worker drowned

    BAM Nuttall fined £2.3million after worker drowned
    BAM Nuttall has been fined £2.345m following the death of a worker on a flood alleviation scheme in Leeds.
    Experienced boatman Gary Webster lost his life two days after drowning in the River Aire on 30 October 2017.
    Webster and another worker had been on a boat removing debris at the bottom of the weir gates at Knostrop Weir when their boat capsized. The boat had been pulled into turbulent water, caused by the considerable flow of water flowing over the top of the weir.The 60-year-old was
  • BAM Nuttall fined £2.3m after worker drowned

    BAM Nuttall fined £2.3m after worker drowned
    BAM Nuttall has been fined £2.345m following the death of a worker on a flood alleviation scheme in Leeds.
    Experienced boatman Gary Webster lost his life two days after drowning in the River Aire on 30 October 2017.
    Webster and another worker had been on a boat removing debris at the bottom of the weir gates at Knostrop Weir when their boat capsized. The boat had been pulled into turbulent water, caused by the considerable flow of water flowing over the top of the weir.The 60-year-old was
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  • £220m plan to restore secret wartime tunnels approved

    £220m plan to restore secret wartime tunnels approved
    Deep-level underground wartime shelter tunnels in London’s High Holborn area are set to become the Capital’s latest tourist attraction.
    City of London Corporation planners have given the thumbs up to a £220m scheme to convert the warren of tunnels into a visitor and cultural attraction.
    In developing the underground site, buildings at 38-41 Furnival Street would be combined into a single structure, with the ground floor used as the main entrance the tunnels.The Kingsway Exchang
  • OCU buys Scottish civils contractor RJ McLeod

    OCU buys Scottish civils contractor RJ McLeod
    Multi-utility infrastructure specialist OCU Group has bought Scottish civil engineering contractor RJ McLeod.
    Based out of Glasgow and Dingwall, RJ McLeod has over a seven-decade history of delivering complex engineering projects.
    The acquisition increases OCU Group revenues to over £800m and grows the capability and capacity for work in supporting the critical UK energy transition.
    The deal will also enhance OCU’s market positions in areas such as battery energy storage systems, win
  • Balfour wins design for £690m Skye transmission job

    Balfour Beatty has clinched the first phase of the £690m Skye 132kV reinforcement project for Scottish and Southern Electricity Network Transmission.On completion the project will ensure the supply of secure, clean electricity to thousands of homes and businesses across the Hebrides and West Highlands.
    The detailed design and development phase, valued at £32m, will see Balfour provide technical solutions for a new 137km, 132kV double circuit overhead line between the existing Fort Au
  • Construction output falls for third month running

    Construction output falls for third month running
    Construction output fell sharply in April marking the third consecutive monthly fall since a small uplift was recorded in January.
    The 1.4% contraction in activity was caused by decreases in both new work (- 1.9%), and repair and maintenance (-0.8%).
    According to fresh data published this morning by the Office of National Statistics, survey returns suggested heavy rainfall and strong winds dampened activity during April.The latest figures will be a blow to the Government, which yesterday set out
  • Plan in for Leeds 27-storey block of flats

    Plan in for Leeds 27-storey block of flats
    Scottish developer Drum Property Group has lodged plans for its first major scheme in Leeds to build 390 flats.
    The developer plans to demolish Morgan Sindall’s old offices at Evolution House, off Springwell Road in Holbeck, to make way for the residential scheme.
    The project will consist of two brick buildings configured in L-shape.
    One warehouse-style building will rise to 12 storeys and boast a rooftop terrace, while the abutting tower will rise to 27 storeys
    The development site is loc
  • Amey switches kit supplier

    Amey switches kit supplier
    Amey has decided to end its plant and equipment hire deal with HSS after nine years.
    HSS confirmed the switch in a stock exchange update this morning on its largest customer.
    It said:”HSS Hire Group Plc announces that, following a retender process it has been notified by Amey Plc of its decision to move to another supplier for the provision of its equipment rental managed service contract.
    “The supplier agreement will end early December 2024 subject to any transitional services that
  • Student and resi developer Fortis goes under

    Student and resi developer Fortis goes under
    Student and residential specialist Fortis Developments Limited has gone into liquidation.
    The Cheshire based developer has been in business since 2012 with 15 successful schemes under its belt containing 3,800 apartments.
    Fortis had a construction division called Beaumount Morgan Developments which went into administration two years ago owing subcontractors and suppliers £7m.Begbies Traynor is the liquidator at Fortis and a statement of affairs shows debts of more than £19m.
    These in
  • Track workers scatter to avoid runaway rail trolley

    Track workers scatter to avoid runaway rail trolley
    The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has launched a probe after a runaway track trolley hurtled towards a team of workers.
    In the early morning on Sunday 26 May a track trolley ran away on a descending gradient towards a site of work and a team of track workers.
    The trolley came to a stop after it collided with equipment being used for moving rails within the site of work. The track workers had seen the runaway trolley approaching and moved clear of its path before the collision occurred.No on
  • Firms readied for £1.5bn Parliament estate upkeep deal

    Firms readied for £1.5bn Parliament estate upkeep deal
    Firms have been put on alert for the tender race for places on a new £1.5bn framework to deliver the programme of on-going repairs and improvements to the Houses of Parliament and wider estate in London.
    The new Parliamentary Construction Partnership Framework will replace the existing MEPFS (Mechanical, Electrical, Public health, and Fabric Safety) Framework, which expires on 15 March 2025.
    Works under the new framework will cover the medium term investment into the early 2030s, rather th
  • Planning for new homes plunges to record low

    Planning for new homes plunges to record low
    The latest Housing Pipeline Report from the Home Builders Federation shows that in the 12 months to March 2024, the number of new homes and sites given planning permission has fallen to the lowest level since the data collection started in 2006.
    The HBF warned that the housing pipeline is significantly smaller now than it was even during the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis.
    It added: “The figures also illustrate the stark challenge a new Government faces to increase housing supply
  • £100m Digbeth 33-storey flats job out to bid

    £100m Digbeth 33-storey flats job out to bid
    The development arm of Clarion Housing is inviting tenders for a £100m high-rise homes scheme in Digbeth, Birmingham.
    Latimer plans to deliver 483 flats in a part 33 and part 9 floor scheme bounded by Clyde Street and the High Street and is now looking for a contractor to deliver the scheme which is presently in planning.
    The site is home to a former Safestore industrial facility and surrounding hard-standing car parking.Regeneration of this former brownfield land will provide much-ne
  • Ex-Galliard boss to lead Battersea next building phase

    Ex-Galliard boss to lead Battersea next building phase
    Former Galliard Homes boss Don O’Sullivan has become chief executive of the developer behind the iconic Battersea Power Station redevelopment.
    As CEO, he will lead the continued development of the former industrial brownfield site following the restoration and public opening of the Grade II* listed Power Station.
    He joins as the Mayalsia-owned developer submits plans for phase 3c of the vast scheme.This brings forward the last two remaining  buildings of architect Gehry Partners desig
  • Renew buys utilities contractor Excalon

    Renew buys utilities contractor Excalon
    Infrastructure maintenance giant Renew has acquired utilities contractor Excalon in a deal worth up to £26m
    Renew said the move will allow it to expand into the electricity transmission and distribution market.
    Salford based Excalon specialises in the provision of high voltage infrastructure to the UK electricity sector and has a number of long-term frameworks with electricity Distribution Network Operators (DNO) across the UK.The initial consideration of £22m has been funded from th
  • Van Elle fined £233,000 after piling rig kills driver

    Van Elle fined £233,000 after piling rig kills driver
    Van Elle has been fined £233,000 after a 52-year old HGV driver was struck and killed by the mast of a piling rig at a housing site in Annan, Dumfries and Galloway.
    On 21 January 2021, Gary Dobinson, who was employed by another company, visited the Hallmeadow development with his lorry to collect and transfer the piling rig owned by Van Elle.
    As the mast of the rig was being lowered in preparation for its transportation, it suddenly collapsed and struck Dobinson. Site workers and the emerg
  • Direct delivery model pays off as Murphy profit soars to £67m

    Direct delivery model pays off as Murphy profit soars to £67m
    Murphy’s direct delivery model yielded strong returns last year with pre-tax profit soaring 50% to a record £67m.
    As the wider industry battled with supply chain challenges, Murphy’s marked improvement in performance saw operating margins jump from 3% to 5%.
    Group revenue marginally declined 5% to £1.42bn in 2023, primarily due to the timing and completion of projects in Canada, although this was offset by continued revenue growth in both Ireland and the UK.Staff headcoun
  • JTRE starts £400m 21-floor London tower scheme

    JTRE starts £400m 21-floor London tower scheme
    Slovakia-originated London developer JTRE has given the go-ahead to start work on a £400m mixed-use scheme on the Capital’s Blackfriars Road.
    The 220 Blackfriars Road scheme delivered in partnership with Southwark Charities will see a 21-storey office block and a second smaller tower, at 15 storeys that will encompass 64 almshouses with charity hub and community hall.
    Specialist firm Downwell Enabling has started demolition of the current Edward Edwards House building on the site, af
  • Bid race starts for up £95m repairs to PFI hospital

    Bid race starts for up £95m repairs to PFI hospital
    The race has started for the job to repair serious defects at a mental health hospital built under PFI just over a decade ago.
    Roseberry Park Hospital in Middlesbrough opened in 2011 but has had problems with its roof, plumbing and fire safety system.
    Now Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust, which won a battle to terminate its contract with the original PFI provider, is looking for a firm to carry out an extensive programme of defect rectification works.Planned works to blocks 1 and 9 at the sit
  • R G Carter construction profits up despite 24% revenue fall

    R G Carter construction profits up despite 24% revenue fall
    The construction arm of the R G Carter Group delivered better profits last year despite revenue falling 25% to £228m.
    Chairman Robert Carter said a selective approach to the clients the firm worked with had helped to raise profitability with pre-tax profit jumping to £6.3m from £1m previously
    He said:  “Our core activity of construction is trading well. Turnover in 2024 is forecasted to be in line with that achieved in 2023. This reflects our continued selective appr
  • Building Safety changes slow down construction recovery

    Building Safety changes slow down construction recovery
    The ongoing impact of the new building safety regime could hamper the fledgling recovery underway in construction.
    Experts at Arcadis have highlighted a very confused market in their latest analysis.
    The consultants are forecasting higher levels of construction inflation from 2026 onwards even as the industry’s recovery struggles to take-off in 2024 and 2025.This will be due to resource constraints and the impact of delayed procurements on the future shape of the supply chain.
    Contractors
  • Knight Build owed money for work on UK’s poshest street

    Knight Build owed money for work on UK’s poshest street
    Knight Build has been left chasing unpaid bills for basement work on a development on the UK’s most expensive street.
    The contractor had been working on a major basement excavation and planned frame build at 18-19 Buckingham Gate in Westminster where two old houses have been demolished to make way for a luxury apartment complex,
    Knight Build started work in March 2022 on the street where the average house price is £9.6m.But the firm terminated its contract in June 2023 following paym
  • Winvic ranks top of May contracts league

    Winvic ranks top of May contracts league
    A flurry of contract wins saw shed and multi-room specialist Winvic fly to the top of the contracts league in May.
    Among its new orders, Winvic secured a 1.2m sq ft warehouse for Yusen Logistics UK at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton, marking the first major build at the site. It also clinched three linked residential towers of 10, 12 and 14 storeys for 451 flats at Sweet Street in the Holbeck area of Leeds.
    Sisk ranked second in the month after confirming its £340m contract for the new No
  • Refurbs power London office work to record high

    Refurbs power London office work to record high
    Sustained growth in London building upgrade activity has lifted office construction to a record high in the first three months of 2024.
    The volume under construction hit an all-time high of 16.4m sq ft across 127 schemes by March, according to the latest Deloitte London Office Crane Survey.
    Much was fed from work starts in the previous two quarters of growth, but even in a slightly slower start to the year new project starts totalled 4.2m sq ft, the first time three consecutive quarters have top

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