Construction news

• Legal challenge launched against £1.5bn A66 dualling

  03-05-2024 08:29 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  A legal challenge has been launched against £1.5bn plans to dual parts of the A66 just as contractors were gearing up to start work.
  The A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project, which received development consent last month, looks set to delay the project again.
  National Highways said it would fully support the legal process as the challenge passes through court.
  A spokesman said: “We have been designing and developing the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine project, and we will continue to carry
  
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• Plans go in for huge Olympic Park construction hub

  21-05-2024 10:58 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Network Rail Property has submitted an outline masterplan to regenerate 30 acres of brownfield land at Bow Goods Yard on the Olympic Park in East London.
  The scheme will deliver London’s largest integrated construction rail freight logistics hub capable of transporting 3.5m tonnes of materials to and from the site every year.
  Bow Goods Yard is one of London’s primary railheads and the new scheme will increase its capacity taking up to 90,000 HGV movements a year from London’s r
  
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• Vistry seals £157m West London housing deal

  21-05-2024 09:00 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Housing association Sovereign Network Group has picked Vistry to deliver a flagship scheme of 575 new homes in Ealing, West London.
  This innovative scheme at Merrick Place in Ealing is worth £157m and will be made up of mixed-tenure homes along with commercial floorspace across four separate buildings.  
  Now defunct Henry Construction had previously been lined up to deliver the major project, which has been designed by architect Cartwright Pickard.It has been designed to maximise
  
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• Streamlined Watkin Jones returns to profit in first half

  21-05-2024 08:41 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Student accommodation and private rental builder Watkin Jones returned to profit in the first six months of the year after a successful business restructure.
  This morning firm reported it was at last seeing an improvement in sentiment in the investment market bringing forward more opportunities.
  In the first half of the year, revenue rose 14% to £175m generating a modest profit of £2.1m after last year’s £43m full-year loss following provisions for building safety work.Al
  
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• Surgo Construction went down owing £4.5m

  21-05-2024 08:17 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  North East building contractor Surgo Construction went into administration in March owing £4.48m.
  The scale of the firm’s debts were detailed in an update from administrator FRP Advisory posted at Companies House.
  Hundreds of subcontractors and suppliers were left holding unpaid invoices worth more than £1.2m with little chance of unsecured creditors receiving anything for their submitted bills.The biggest creditor was Bellway Homes who are owed £1.18m by Sugro following
  
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• BAM wins £33m Kent secondary school job

  21-05-2024 08:09 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  BAM is to construct a new 750-pupil secondary school to replace the existing Orchards Academy in Swanley, Kent.
  The £32.8m project will deliver a full 100% new build school replacement on a live school site.
  BAM will deliver two distinct blocks – a teaching block and a sports hall block – integrating innovative modular construction techniques to minimise disruption.Daniel Brenchley, BAM construction manager, said that the school will be designed to achieve net-zero carbon build
  
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• Persimmon under fire for delays to £10m relief road

  21-05-2024 08:08 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  West Suffolk Council is serving two Breach of Condition Notices on Persimmon Homes after the latest delay to the £10m Haverhill Relief Road.
  The relief road was originally meant to be completed by March 2023 but has been hit by a series of delays and revised timetables with the house builder now hoping to complete the route by the end of this year.
  Cllr Jim Thorndyke, Cabinet Member for Planning at West Suffolk Council, said: “We have seen delay after delay and excuse after excuse. I
  
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• Bellway hires ex-brickie as group construction chief

  21-05-2024 08:08 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Volume house builder Bellway has appointed a new group construction director to oversee building practices and quality across its 21 operating divisions.
  James Griffin joined the industry as an apprentice in 1999 and worked for seven years as a bricklayer before joining the National House Building Council where he has worked for the last 17 years.
  At NHBC, he worked his way up from building inspector to regional director for the eastern region before joining Bellway.Griffin will now oversee Bell
  
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• Plan for £100m Liverpool Baltic station

  21-05-2024 07:31 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Plans for Liverpool’s £100m Baltic station scheme have been revealed for public consultation ahead of planning being submitted.
  Subject to approval, it is expected work could begin on site in 2025, with the station planned for opening by the end of 2027.
  The new Merseyrail station is one of four planned by recently re-elected Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, who has committed to completing the project by the end of 2027 – a year ahead of its current schedule.The othe
  
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• Aluminium cladding specialist collapses

  20-05-2024 09:16 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Aluminium cladding, doors and windows specialist RKN Aluminium has fallen into administration.
  RKN Aluminium was established in 2006, and since provided specialist curtain wall, window and door designing, manufacturing and fitting to hundreds of projects around the country.
  The Melton Mowbray-based firm had recently moved into purpose-built premises and employed around 30 staff delivering service for a host of contractors like VolkerFitzpatrick, Glencar and AsheRKN also worked closely with Bowme
  
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• Brickwork contractor Lee Marley returns to profit

  20-05-2024 08:34 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  The country’s largest integrated brickwork and scaffolding subcontractor Lee Marley Brickwork has returned to profit buoyed by larger multi-storey and complex projects.
  The brickwork specialist bounced back to a £2.8m pre-tax profit last year after a prior year loss of £2.2m in the face of wage and materials inflation.
  Revenue over the year to December 2023 was up over a fifth to £80m driving a jump in staff numbers to 210 from around 180 in the more challenging prior yea
  
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• Farrans makes breakthrough on tricky tunnel job

  20-05-2024 08:31 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Farrans Construction has completed an innovative tunnelling operation for Northumbrian Water as a TBM completed an underground crossing of the River Tees.
  The 220m tunnel is part of Phase 1 of a new £155m water pipeline to be constructed while protecting the watercourse and the wildlife that relies upon it.
  Northumbrian Water’s Project Pipeline: County Durham and Tees Valley will see the construction of around 57km of new pipes connecting Lartington Water Treatment Works with  2
  
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• Heidelberg buys aggregates and earthworks specialist B&A

  20-05-2024 08:08 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Heidelberg Materials UK has acquired south west aggregates recycling and earthworks contractor B&A Group.
  The move follows the recent acquisition of earthmoving and demolition waste recycling contractor Mick George Group by Heidelberg last monthBristol-based B&A employs a team of 70 and specialises in the supply of  recycled and primary aggregate as well as site clearance, earthworks, land remediation and sustainable land regeneration.Last year its had a turnover in excess of £
  
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• Housing contractor Durkan suffers second year of losses

  20-05-2024 07:54 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  South East housing contractor and developer Durkan suffered a second year of losses last year after further provisions for fire safety legacy work.
  Despite a 30% rise in revenue to £172m, the provisions and pressure on the housing market saw it suffer pre-tax losses of £3.9m in 2023, improved from a £9.3m loss in the prior year.
  During 2023, Durkan increased provision by £6.7m to bring a total carrying amount set aside for fire safety works to £12.6m.Durkan trading
  
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• Flagship biodiversity net gain scheme flawed

  17-05-2024 09:53 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Rules requiring developers to deliver a 10% improvement in biodiversity from new building projects in England are flawed.
  According to a report today by the public spending watchdog, the Government’s scheme launched last February has serious operational shortcomings that could eventually undermine the flagship scheme.
  Under the rules, developers must now achieve a 10% uplift in biodiversity at a site.
  When on-site gains are not enough to meet the 10% requirement, off-site gains can be crea
  
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• Plan in for £3bn Lincolnshire mega data centre

  17-05-2024 09:08 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Plans to build a £3bn next-generation AI-training data centre have been submitted to North Lincolnshire Council.
  The 3.3m sq ft hyperscale scheme will be built on land by the A160 near South Killingholme and would rank as one of Europe’s largest data centres.
  The total construction cost for the completed data centre will depend on the precise specification but is likely to range from a minimum £2.2bn to well over £3bn.Cost breakdown
  Land and building shell (15% to 20%): c
  
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• £210m M3 Junction 9 upgrade gains consent

  17-05-2024 09:05 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  The Government has granted development consent for the M3 Junction 9 Improvement near Winchester in Hampshire.
  VolkerFitzpatrick is lined up to deliver the complex £210m Winnall roundabout scheme.
  Programmed works include the creation of four traffic lanes in each direction of the M3 as well as building a same-direction free-flow link between the M3 and A34.Also VolkerFitzpatrick will be constructing three new bridges, rearranging the main junction 9 roundabout and providing a number of ot
  
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• £400m Lewisham resi-led scheme advances

  17-05-2024 09:04 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Residential living specialist Amro Partners has advanced plans to build its largest scheme to date in South East London.
  The firm has bought Lewisham Retail Park to paving the way for a £400m development that will provide 1,000 new homes.
  Over the last 18 months, Amro has acquired various adjoining land holdings from a number of private landowners, concluding with the acquisition of the Lewisham Retail Park site and remaining land holdings from Legal & General.Forming one of the final
  
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• Green light for Digbeth 1,300 homes scheme

  17-05-2024 09:03 via constructionenquirer.com
  Build to rent developer Dandara Living has got the planning thumbs up to build over 1,300 new homes and 30,000 sq ft of commercial space at Warner’s Fields in Digbeth.
  Work can now begin to regenerate the brownfield site, which is located within a mile of rail, tram, bus and coach connections.
  The development will deliver a new neighbourhood centred around a renaturalised River Rea, which runs through the middle of the site, but is not currently accessible to the public.Dandara will invest
  
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• United Living wins 14-year L&Q homes repairs deal

  17-05-2024 08:54 via constructionenquirer.com
  United Living Property Services has been awarded a 14-year contract to deliver housing upkeep for social landlord L&Q in Trafford.
  The contract, worth up to £205m, covers all planned investment and regeneration works across L&Q homes in Trafford and forms part of the housing association’s North West Major Works Investment Programme.
  The programme is believed to be the industry’s largest investment with almost £3bn to be spent over 15 years.It will see all L&Q
  
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• McLaren gets go-ahead for Grade II listed Leeds student scheme

  17-05-2024 08:32 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Leeds City Council has approved the redevelopment of Springfield House to deliver a 334-bed purpose built student accommodation scheme centred around the refurbishment and conversion of the Grade II Listed Springfield House.
  The McLaren Property scheme will sit in mature landscaped grounds next to the University of Leeds campus.
  Designers Cartwright Pickard Architects have placed the refurbished Springfield House at the heart of the scheme. The Grade II building will be the main entrance to the
  
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• Piling giant to fit people alarms on all rigs

  17-05-2024 08:14 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Cementation Skanska piling rigs and cranes are being fitted with with the latest human form recognition technology in a bid to prevent accidents.
  The Spillard Safety Systems’ Human Detection System utilises a series of cameras fitted to the base of the plant that recognises people or objects if they get to close or encroach in a red exclusion zone.
  It then automatically suspends tracking and slewing of the machine to avoid contact while sounding an audible alarm. A screen fitted in the cab
  
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• ROCKWOOL launches Fire Barrier EN

  16-05-2024 15:57 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  To help designers and specifiers improve building fire safety, stone wool insulation manufacturer ROCKWOOL has launched a new fire barrier product that is tested in accordance with the latest BS EN standards.
  Fire Barrier EN is available with a black foil facing on one or both sides, for single- and double-layer systems respectively.
  Will Wigfield, Product Manager HVAC & Fire Protection at ROCKWOOL said: “Fire Barrier EN will replace our existing fire barrier products.
  “With the
  
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• Scaffold training scheme launches new online safety tests

  16-05-2024 15:37 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Scaffold training scheme CISRS with the help of NOCN will launch a new online alternative Health, Safety and Environment test for scaffolding operatives next month.
  In line with other recognised exemptions the online test covers the essential aspects of Health Safety and Environmental practices required for operatives applying for a CISRS card.
  The test provides high quality, neurodiverse eLearning content with an accompanying voice over which the operative can work through online prior to takin
  
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• Land deal paves way for Manchester civil service office hub

  16-05-2024 10:13 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Plans for a government digital campus for around 7,000 civil servants in Manchester have advanced with a significant land deal.
  The Government Property Agency has exchanged contracts to acquire five acres of the former Central Retail Park in Ancoats, from Manchester City Council.
  The land purchase is expected to complete fully next year, with construction of the 800,000 sq ft Government office complex set to begin in 2026.
  Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, Alex Burghart, said:
  
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• Speller Metcalfe wins Wolverhampton library upgrade

  16-05-2024 09:14 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  City of Wolverhampton Council has appointed Speller Metcalfe as preferred contractor to deliver major works on the city centre’s Central Library and Adult Education Wolverhampton facilities as part of the £61m-Phase Two City Learning Quarter development.
  The Worcestershire firm has been awarded the pre-construction contract and will now develop the detailed designs and carry out some enabling works ahead of the main contract and full works starting in the autumn.
  The Central Library
  
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• Green light for £80m Leith waterfront revamp

  16-05-2024 09:06 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Edinburgh councillors have approved plans for an £80m revamp of Leith waterfront.
  The mixed use scheme at Ocean Point by S Harrison Developments will see construction of two blocks containing build-to-rent homes (BTR) and student accommodation.
  The scheme will be built next to Ocean Terminal which is undergoing a £100m transformation, delivering a mixed-use development comprising residential, commercial, retail and hospitality.Harrison has a long pedigree of working in the city inclu
  
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• Shareholders approve £2.5bn Barratt and Redrow merger

  16-05-2024 08:56 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Barratt and Redrow’s shareholders have overwhelmingly approved the anticipated merger of the two large housebuilders.
  The combined business would create a mega house builder turning over £7.45bn and delivering over 22,600 homes a year, based on past performance.
  The deal remains subject to clearance by the UK competition watchdog which has launched a preliminary investigation into whether the formation of would see a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets.U
  
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• Vistry to make £800m profit after subcontractor cost cuts

  16-05-2024 08:29 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Vistry is hoping to generate £800m in operating profit and return £1bn to shareholders after asking subcontractors for a 10% discount on prices.
  The house building giant asked its supply chain for cost reductions last October .
  In a trading update this morning Vistry said it “will benefit from lower year on year building material costs in FY24 reflecting engagement with our supply chain throughout 2023.“Our high level of visibility on forward sales and build programme ena
  
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• Tilbury Douglas clears Interserve legacy jobs to return to profit

  15-05-2024 13:48 via constructionenquirer.com
  
  Tilbury Douglas has cleared the decks of legacy Interserve project joint ventures and pension commitments to return to profit in its first full year as a standalone contractor.
  Both construction and the more troubled engineering operations placed the past firmly in the rear-view mirror to return to profitability.
  But the £86m turnover infrastructure business continued to struggle in a challenging year and posted an operating loss.
  Following a review this year, the infrastructure business i
  
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