Magnox, the company responsible for the decontamination of the Bradwell A nuclear plant, has completed the clean-up of the ponds complex at the site in Essex. The ponds were formerly used to temporarily store and cool spent nuclear fuel before it was sent to Sellafield for reprocessing.
Ofgem plans to publish a quarterly report on energy suppliers’ performance on government schemes, in an effort to increase transparency. The regulator will consult on the plans to publish a quarterly Supplier Performance Report (SPR) in a bid to increase accountability, improve transparency for consumers and minimise
BT has awarded Spie UK a contract for upgrade works on 23km of its tunnels under London – and Edinburgh could be next. Spie has already completed a project to improve environmental ventilation and humidity control in the tunnels and is now installing a bespoke building management and control system
Wolseley is to spend £100m on slashing 800 jobs and closing 80 branches in the UK. The world’s largest supplier of plumbing and heating products outlined the cutbacks as part of a review of its British operation, which has been hit by tough competition and tepid demand in the property
A park café that replaced a shed; and flats and shops on the site of industrial workshops in a town centre are among the six buildings which have won RIBA South East Regional Awards from the Royal Institute of British Architects. The Awards were presented in recognition of their architectural
On the 22th of April this year, political figureheads from greater than 170 different countries all came together to sign the Paris Agreement for Earth Day, held in New York at the UN HQ. Regarded as a day to benefit the future of the generations to come, the nations present
Perhaps as a nod to events over the past 12 months, it has been reported that a number of lobbyists in representation of industry professionals have been fighting for assurances on the creation of new housing legislation to better protect residential homes from future flooding. As of present, the bill
In a recent report by Grant Thornton LLP it has been highlighted that, whilst joint ventures are often perceived as a way forward for local government to protect the provision of services when confronted with financial pressures, the success of such ventures is far more fragile than perceived at a
To follow on from an upgrade to the free ECA e-RAMS service, available online, it has been reported that the popularity of the risk and method statement services has shot upwards,with considerable demand from members of the ECA. To monitor popularity, the ECA is able to check the frequency of
Unfortunate prospects have been announced for those homeowners who have purchased a property in the UK in 2007, with hundreds of thousands of such homeowners predicted to be hit with negative equity, in contrast to the strong growth presently being realised in the residential market. In 2007, it has been
Magnox, the company responsible for the decontamination of the Bradwell A nuclear plant, has completed the clean-up of the ponds complex at the site in Essex. The ponds were formerly used to temporarily store and cool spent nuclear fuel before it was sent to Sellafield for reprocessing. Workers have spent the last four years decontaminating more than 10,000 square metres of walls, floors and ceilings – an area equal to a rugby union pitch – after the ponds were drained and “stabilised” in 2012. More than two and half kilometres of piping and 120 tonnes of metal waste have also been removed and disposed over the course of project. Other recent milestones in the clean-up operation include the decontamination of underground waste vaults and the weatherproof cladding of the reactor buildings. Magnox is still working to remove unused equipment and decontaminate other buildings and infrastructure at the site. Ponds project manager for Magnox Trevor Frost said: “I am extremely proud of the team which has safely delivered this project to time and budget. “One of the next phases of work will be to demolish the redundant ponds building and remaining ancillary buildings, followed by installation of weatherproof cladding over the remaining buildings.” “We will be working with the team to ensure that the lessons learned from tackling this challenge are shared across our wider estate,” said chief executive of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Pete Lutwyche. Bradwell nuclear plant was closed down in 2002 after 40 years in service. China General Nuclear (CGN) Power Corporation is planning to build a new nuclear plant at the adjacent Bradwell B site with the help of EDF. CGN has a 33.5 per cent stake in Hinkley Point C and is also expected to take a large stake in the plant EDF is planning to build at Sizewell C. If it goes ahead, the new power station at Bradwell will use the Hualong One reactor which CGN has jointly designed with China National Nuclear Corporation. The company’s ultimate aim is to get the seal of approval from the UK government in order to help it export its reactors around the world. Source link
Ofgem plans to publish a quarterly report on energy suppliers’ performance on government schemes, in an effort to increase transparency. The regulator will consult on the plans to publish a quarterly Supplier Performance Report (SPR) in a bid to increase accountability, improve transparency for consumers and minimise the cost of delivering schemes. Energy companies will be scored on non-compliance issues across six obligatory schemes including the Renewables Obligation, Feed-in-Tariff, Energy Company Obligation and Warm Home Discount. Suppliers generally meet their obligations during scheme compliance periods, but some struggle with individual elements of the schemes such as meeting deadlines and submitting accurate data. These issues can add to the costs to consumers of delivering the schemes and indicate a systematic issue with a firm’s approach to meeting their obligations. Ofgem E-Serve managing director Chris Poulton said: “Whilst suppliers are doing great work, we still feel that there is more to be done. By publishing the SPR, we will be highlighting areas of shortfall and consumers will be able to see how well their provider meets their obligations. “We hope that publishing this data will help to grow a culture of compliance already embedded with most suppliers. And while SPR records specific non-compliance issues it can also be used to show how effectively some companies meet the requirements of the schemes.” Responses to the consultation will close on 25 August 2016. Source link
BT has awarded Spie UK a contract for upgrade works on 23km of its tunnels under London – and Edinburgh could be next. Spie has already completed a project to improve environmental ventilation and humidity control in the tunnels and is now installing a bespoke building management and control system for the London tunnels, due for completion in 2017. This is expected to reduce energy consumption, improve the lifecycle of plant and technical equipment and warn of flood potential. The two assignments, worth a combined £3.3m, have seen Spie provide BT with cost planning and risk management consultancy alongside design and technical management. Enhancements to the tunnels, which carry cabling forming the base of BT’s central communications infrastructure, are expected to save BT approximately £1.5m. Spie began its relationship with BT in 2011 and as a result of the current tunnel works, BT has commissioned Spie to undertake a review of its tunnelling system in Edinburgh. This article was published on 9 Sep 2016 (last updated on 9 Sep 2016). Source link
Wolseley is to spend £100m on slashing 800 jobs and closing 80 branches in the UK. The world’s largest supplier of plumbing and heating products outlined the cutbacks as part of a review of its British operation, which has been hit by tough competition and tepid demand in the property repair, maintenance and improvement market. Wolseley, which owns brands such as Plumb Center, said the overhaul of its UK business was intended to generate annual cost savings of up £25m-£30m over two to three years once complete. The division accounts for only 8 per cent of the FTSE 100 group’s trading profit, with the majority coming from its US arm. John Martin, chief executive, said the objectives were to improve customer service levels, increase availability of materials and generate better returns for shareholders. It will also involve the closure of a distribution centre. “Regrettably this will result in job losses which we will handle sensitively and minimise through redeployment and attrition as far as possible,” he said. The announcement came as Wolseley revealed a windfall from the weaker pound. Trading profits increased 7 per cent to a record £917m in the year ended July 31, mostly down to the lower exchange rate, while revenue was up 8.5 per cent to £14.4bn, half of which was due to currency effects. Fewer one-off costs saw a 43 per cent jump in pre-tax profit to £727m. However, Mr Martin offered a sober outlook: “Demand across our markets remains mixed, with some uncertainty in the economic outlook.” Shares in Wolseley fell by 1.3 per cent on Tuesday to £42.44 Lombard There is something of the Martin Johnson about CEO John Martin Analysts at Liberum called the results “a little disappointing” and flagged that management had warned of a slow start in the current financial year. “However, the announced UK restructuring is welcome, and should generate good returns once complete,” they added. Brokerage Davy said Wolseley’s US arm continued to perform strongly “despite a somewhat challenging backdrop”. Sales were up 4.5 per cent since August, compared with 1.5 per cent across the whole group, an indication of the tough conditions in other markets. Wolseley already booked £10m of restructuring charges related to its UK business last year. Of the additional £100m, some £70m is expected to be in cash. A further £40m will be invested in refurbishing its outlets in the UK and other areas such as technology and digital tools. The group proposed a full-year dividend of 100p, an increase of 10.2 per cent on last year. Basic earnings per share were 256.4p. Sample the FT’s top stories for a week You select the topic, we deliver the news. Source link
A park café that replaced a shed; and flats and shops on the site of industrial workshops in a town centre are among the six buildings which have won RIBA South East Regional Awards from the Royal Institute of British Architects. The Awards were presented in recognition of their architectural excellence at a prestigious ceremony held at Ascot Racecourse last night (Thursday 28 April), in recognition of their architectural excellence. The ceremony was compered by the journalist and broadcaster Kirsty Lang. The Regional Award-winning buildings are: Kent: North Vat, Kent by Rodic Davidson Architects East Sussex: Gateway Café, Peacehaven by Kaner Olette Architects Cinque Ports Street, Rye by Jonathan Dunn Architects New House, East Sussex by BBM Sustainable Design The Narrow House, East Sussex by Sanei Hopkins Architects Jersey: Le Petit Fort, Jersey by Hudson Architects. The six Regional Award winners were drawn from a shortlist of 11 projects, from 32 entries. Speaking today, James Robinson, RIBA Regional Director said: ‘We are very lucky to have such outstanding buildings entered for the RIBA Awards this year. The standard and variety of the entries is great to see. The entries also demonstrate the fantastic amount of design talent in and around the south east. The region has many wonderful buildings and the winners this year show that they are still being built’. Special Award: New House, East Sussex by BBM Sustainable Design received the Regional Sustainability Award, sponsored by Sika. RIBA South East Regional Award winners will also be considered for the highly-coveted RIBA National Awards in recognition of their architectural excellence: these will be announced on 23 June. The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize for the best building of the year will be drawn from the RIBA National Award-winning buildings later in the year. ENDS Notes to editors: For further information and access to high resolution press images please contact Jenny Peterson tel 0750 146 6648 jenny.peterson@riba.org. For reasons of client confidentiality, we do not provide information about private houses that have won RIBA Awards. RIBA South East covers Kent, Surrey, East Sussex, West Sussex and the Channel Islands. RIBA Awards have been running continuously since 1966 and are judged and presented locally. No matter what the shape, size, budget or location, RIBA Award-winning schemes set the standard for great architecture all across the country. RIBA Awards are for buildings in the UK by RIBA Chartered Architects and RIBA International Fellows. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) champions better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and our members. www.architecture.com Posted on Friday 29th April 2016 Source link
On the 22th of April this year, political figureheads from greater than 170 different countries all came together to sign the Paris Agreement for Earth Day, held in New York at the UN HQ. Regarded as a day to benefit the future of the generations to come, the nations present effectively came together, in unison, to provide consent to their binding to an agreement on climate targets as agreed in principle last December, at COP21. Of those countries representing, the UK, US and China were amongst those at the meeting, with 15 of the 175 countries which signed the agreement itself actually taking an extra step to provide “instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval.” As a whole, the day was regarded as a great step forward, with record-breaking signature frequencies for day one of any international treaty, this highlighting the responsible approach taken by many nations from around the globe. As explained by the UN Secretary-General, whilst records for the signing were indeed being broken at the event, this also runs in unison with the record breaking levels of ice loss, rising global temperatures and peak levels in carbon, highlighting the urgency for nations to act on this. He added: “We are in a race against time, and for that reason I urge all countries to join quickly so that the Paris Agreement can enter into force as soon as possible.” From an overarching perspective, the signing of these nations represents a positive step in the right direction of an ambitious and balanced climate deal, incorporating the legally binding target of maintaining temperatures for global warning far below that of 2C. How things will progress in the coming times remains unsure, however, through the hard work of all these nations coming together, it is hoped that efforts to decarbonise economies around the world, as well as to provide assistance to countries still developing, can have a meaningful impact on future climate change.
Perhaps as a nod to events over the past 12 months, it has been reported that a number of lobbyists in representation of industry professionals have been fighting for assurances on the creation of new housing legislation to better protect residential homes from future flooding. As of present, the bill already being passed through the House of Lords will see additional weight placed upon existing drainage and flood defence infrastructure. While it is acknowledged that drainage is one of the primary protectors from flood-related risks, lobbyists have urged for the bill to place restrictions on the right of the developer to simply connect new homes to drainage systems already in place; primarily due to many of these systems already reportedly being overloaded. As a solution, the notion being put forward is the integration of low-cost, sustainable drainage systems to, instead of adding extra pressure to existing capacity, improve the actual capacity of drainage networks as developments are created. This, of course, would signal a considerable change in notion whereby, historically, new developments have been seen to simply add extra pressures to existing infrastructure. Historically, this idea had already been considered, as can be seen in the Flood & Water Management Act 2010, yet the law itself was never put into action, instead simply giving planning guidelines for the requirement of sustainable draining systems. Unfortunately, as highlighted by the lobbyists, the guidelines have failed to have any meaningful impact on flood provisions for new developments, as well as simultaneously falling short of its goal to promote the benefits of sustainable drainage systems above and beyond flood defence. Putting forward the concern that developments are continually adding to the major challenges already being faced by flooding today, David Balmforth, ICE’s former President exclaimed: “This does not have to be the case as there is a proven and low cost solution using SuDs… We urge the Lords to send the Commons a bill that will help protect society from flooding.”
In a recent report by Grant Thornton LLP it has been highlighted that, whilst joint ventures are often perceived as a way forward for local government to protect the provision of services when confronted with financial pressures, the success of such ventures is far more fragile than perceived at a glance. Regarding the need for shared goals as well as proper governing of such ventures as of incredible import, the report warns local authorities that, whilst joint ventures can indeed succeed, it is of incredible import that due consideration is given towards partnerships and the relative objectives of these – effectively, representing a case whereby partnership models must be assessed to ensure the capacity to deliver upon the original aims. In fact, whilst the report is critical on the note of proper planning, it is also highlighted that there have been some incredibly successful joint ventures experienced over the past few years. In fact, with the right level of trust, and proper governing, joint ventures can be highly successful; concern, instead comes in with the notion that a joint venture can just “manage itself”. A potential way forward in ensuring proper management and planning for joint ventures has, in fact, been highlighted in the form of public to public joint ventures, whereby like-councils may be seen to work alongside one another. Most specifically, this can see the partnership of two local government authorities, neither of which focused on the profitability of any given joint venture, but moreso on achieving the end goals and community benefits originally sought after. Additionally, partnerships between local authorities could also see collaboration between organisations which have extensive experience in understanding the various benefits of consequences of projects from the perspective of the local resident. This, in effect, would then allow for an extra layer of due consideration afforded to areas of end-goal and ambition.
To follow on from an upgrade to the free ECA e-RAMS service, available online, it has been reported that the popularity of the risk and method statement services has shot upwards,with considerable demand from members of the ECA. To monitor popularity, the ECA is able to check the frequency of assessments completed and, in the latest of such figures, it has been highlighted that there was a 67% increase in the frequency of risk assessments completed by members of the ECA each month, ever since the close of last October. This signifies a grand total of some almost 600 members of the ECA using the RAMS to then create tend of thousands of risk assessments. As explained by Paul Reeve, Director of Business Services of the ECA, the upgrade made by the ECA to the new e-RAMS service allows for organisations to undertake quantified risk assessments, as well as enhanced hazard and control measure text, thus facilitating an increasingly strong service for members; something which can be seen as successful in its surge of demand thus far. Most specifically, e-RAMS is seen to be of most use for singular tasks and projects, as well as providing assistance with BSE activities of any shape or size. Paul Reeve furthered: “Similar products can cost hundreds of pounds or more, so we are pleased to see hundreds of ECA members already utilising this free service, helping them take the necessary steps to ensure health and safety on site.” Offering a solution to risk assessment that is simple to fill out, easy to then adapt in line with specific projects, and then submit as a complete assessment in a professional format, e-RAMS offers a highly intuitive service for members of the ECA – what’s more, it’s free, which has no doubt contributed to the incredible boom in popularity of the service itself.
Unfortunate prospects have been announced for those homeowners who have purchased a property in the UK in 2007, with hundreds of thousands of such homeowners predicted to be hit with negative equity, in contrast to the strong growth presently being realised in the residential market. In 2007, it has been reported that some 1.5m property transactions were undertaken as the prices of such properties hit peak levels, moments before the financial crisis experienced in 2008. And although the market itself has been seen to recover in recent times, it is still that case that the average property price in 50% of cities and town remain below those averages seen back in the peaks of 2007 (highlighted in research undertaken by HouseSimple). Within London, prices have indeed risen by 56% from those figures in 2007, however it is the case that this level of success has not been seen in many other geographic areas around the country (Northern England representing one such area where 17/20 of those hit worst reside). Most specifically, it has been revealed in HouseSimple’s research that the North West represents the area hit the most by negative equity, with 40% of those areas pinpointed in the worst-off 20 towns for negative equity all being in the North West. Specifically, the towns hit the most are Middlesbrough and Blackpool, with housing prices still at a value almost 30% less than at the peaks before the crash. Blackburn and Liverpool area also reported to be 25% and 23% lower than pre-crash respectively, with Yorkshire and the Humber also hit hard (1/3 of towns being in the list of 20 also). Of course, as can be seen with London, the South of England has enjoyed a far greater degree of growth, not solely limited to London itself, but far more widespread. As such, It is predominantly those homeowners in the north with which this news hits hard.
