A fund managed by Savills Investment Management (“Savills IM”), the international real estate investment manager, has sold the property at 33 Gracechurch Street, a prominent Grade II listed building on the junction with Lombard Street in the City of London, for £75.1. The building was originally acquired by the fund
Highway contractors on the A1 in Northumberland have pioneered a new way of resurfacing roads that is 10 times quicker than traditional methods. Above: Vögele Super 1900-3i paver follows on behind the Wirtgen 3200 CR cold recycler A-one+, a joint venture of Colas, Costain and Halcrow that is Highways England’s
At £974m, output in public housing is now at its lowest level for four years, according to the Office for National Statistics. Public housing output fell by 22 per cent in Q2. Its previous low was in Q2 2012, when output stood at £961m. On a year-on-year basis, only three
A joint venture of Dawnus and Ferrovial Agroman has begun construction work on the 1km-long Cardiff Eastern Bay link road project. Above: Route of the new link road The JV won the £27.3m contract back in January 2015, since when design details have been worked up. The overall project cost
A report published yesterday by the Department of Transport says that improved connections between Oxford, Milton Keynes and Cambridge could boost the economy. The £512,000 study by WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff, Halcrow and Steer Davies Gleave explored the potential for creating a dedicated road link between the three places. The report
Keyland Developments Ltd has gained planning approval from Kirklees Council for an industrial development comprising circa 400,000 sq ft of employment space on a 57 acre former water treatment works site in West Yorkshire which could bring about some 800 new jobs. The redundant North Bierley Water Treatment Works site,
A family owned builder’s merchants, Chandlers Building Supplies, is looking for a number of young builders to join a panel of ‘Champions’ for a year. As part of this panel, Champions will be asked to share top tips and helpful advice for others starting out in the sector, provide feedback
Hiab, part of Cargotec, invites the world’s best crane operators to submit their entries for the third World Crane Championship. Local heats begin soon, and the winner will be crowned at the finals, which will take place at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hannover, Germany, on 22-23 September 2018.
Local MP and new Minister for Small Business, Andrew Griffiths, visited Tuffa UK’s Uttoxeter factory to celebrate a quarter of a century at that location and their recent shortlisting for the prestigious Sentinel Innovation Award. “Really good to meet the team at Tuffa and enjoyed a fascinating tour around the
Coastal Recycling has become the first waste resource management organisation in the South of England to be awarded the BSI standard national quality mark, PAS 402. This quality mark recognises the company’s commitment to reducing waste, specifically for the construction and demolition industry. PAS 402 is a nationally recognised quality
A fund managed by Savills Investment Management (“Savills IM”), the international real estate investment manager, has sold the property at 33 Gracechurch Street, a prominent Grade II listed building on the junction with Lombard Street in the City of London, for £75.1. The building was originally acquired by the fund on behalf of a syndicate of high net worth individuals through Société Générale Nick Hayward, Director of Institutional Business at Savills IM, commented: “The fund bought a core city office building that offered a combination of attractive income and asset management opportunities which we have successfully completed. Currently we believe there are very favourable occupational market dynamics, and this asset, let to five office tenants and one retail tenant, is evidence of this.” The property, in a prime location between the Bank of England and Lloyds of London, was comprehensively refurbished and extended in 2007 and offers 107,062 sq ft of Grade A office, retail and ancillary accommodation. Savills advised the seller on the transaction, with Westminster Real Estate Limited acquiring on behalf of an Asian client, represented by Cushman & Wakefield. Source link
Highway contractors on the A1 in Northumberland have pioneered a new way of resurfacing roads that is 10 times quicker than traditional methods. Above: Vögele Super 1900-3i paver follows on behind the Wirtgen 3200 CR cold recycler A-one+, a joint venture of Colas, Costain and Halcrow that is Highways England’s contractor for the region, has used cold repaving to resurface 2.2km of the A1 at Brownieside in Northumberland. The Wirtgen cold recycling machine is being used for the first time in the UK. It allows the underlying layers of the road to be recycled, churning up the old surface material, combining it with new material within the body of the machine then laying it back down immediately on the road behind. More than five million square metres of thin layers are paved in cold application in Germany every year but this is the first time that the technique has been used in the UK. The machinery here is owned and operated by subcontractor Lane Rental Services, which bought it three months ago. Wirtgen offers two models of cold recycling machines, the 2200 CR and the 3800 CR. Both have an integrated paving screed for in-situ cold recycling of carriageway pavement, but can be adapted for the addition of bitumen emulsion, foamed bitumen or water-cement slurry. However, Lane Rental Services specified a custom-made 3200 CR, capable of paving carriageways of 3.2- to 5-metre widths. In Northumberland it is being used in conjunction with a Vögele Super 1900-3i tracked paver. Cold milling machines with fine milling drums first prepare the road surface for application of the thin overlay. The resultant fine profile of the milled roadway creates a substrate with which the micro-surfacing can engage. The ‘valleys’ of the fine-milled profile engage the layers of the micro-surfacing, thus producing a smooth layer structure. Thin layers paved cold on cold provide a cost-effective as well as quick solution, allowing the road to reopen to traffic sooner than with hot asphalt techniques. Highways England says that cold paving allows up to 1,000 tonnes per hour to be resurfaced compared to an average of 100 tonnes per hour using conventional methods. There is also a 75% reduction in the amount of quarried stone used on the job, a 66% reduction in the amount of waste taken to landfill and there are 70% fewer lorry trips to and from site. Usually, resurfacing a road means planing off the old road surface and taking it away on trucks as waste. The new material, often mixed off site, is brought in hot and laid using a resurfacing machine. This is usually in truckloads of 20 tonnes with an average of 350 tonnes per shift being brought in altogether. According to Lane Rental Services managing director Mike Reay, cold paving in this way is – depending on the size and type of scheme – between 33% and 50% cheaper than repaving with hot rolled asphalt. On the A1 scheme, there was a 40% cost reduction. Highways England project manager Steve Bishop said: “There are lots of benefits to using this new way of working. It means we can resurface larger areas of road, there are fewer construction vehicle trips and the road surface is designed to last for at least 10 years, meaning that we shouldn’t need to go back to carry out further repairs any time soon meaning less disruption for drivers. “This is the first machine of its type in the UK but the process is already successfully used in the USA, France and China. We are always working with our partners to trial new technologies that will help us to minimise disruption to drivers while we carry out essential road maintenance.” Work started at Brownieside on Tuesday 2nd August after a trial 4.5km run on another section of the A1 nearby, when 11,000 tonnes of road recycling was completed in 10 days. Both lanes on the southbound carriageway are being resurfaced. The project is expected to take three weeks and work will be carried out during the day, with a contraflow arrangement on the northbound carriageway. Further Images This article was published on 4 Aug 2016 (last updated on 4 Aug 2016). Source link
At £974m, output in public housing is now at its lowest level for four years, according to the Office for National Statistics. Public housing output fell by 22 per cent in Q2. Its previous low was in Q2 2012, when output stood at £961m. On a year-on-year basis, only three sectors reported growth in Q2 – private housing (6.6 per cent), private commercial (1.1 per cent) and non-housing R&M (0.2 per cent) – compared with the same quarter a year earlier. All other sectors saw a contraction, with notable year-on-year declines in infrastructure (down 10.1 per cent), private industrial (8.2 per cent) and public housing R&M (4.8 per cent). The 0.7 per cent quarter-on-quarter decline in overall output in Q2 represents the second consecutive quarter of negative growth, placing construction in a technical recession. Source link
A joint venture of Dawnus and Ferrovial Agroman has begun construction work on the 1km-long Cardiff Eastern Bay link road project. Above: Route of the new link road The JV won the £27.3m contract back in January 2015, since when design details have been worked up. The overall project cost is £57m, the Welsh government says. The new dual carriageway, designed by Capita and Cass Hayward, will provide a more direct route between the east of the city (Roverway) and Cardiff Bay (A4232 Butetown Tunnel), alleviating congestion around Tyndall Street. Utility diversion and preparatory work to build the new Eastern Bay Link Road had already begun but the official start of work was signalled by a visit to the site yesterday (17th March) from Welsh transport minister Edwina Hart. Completion is expected by spring 2017. Parsons Brinkerhoff is employer’s agent and Corderoy is cost consultant. This article was published on 18 Mar 2016 (last updated on 18 Mar 2016). Source link
A report published yesterday by the Department of Transport says that improved connections between Oxford, Milton Keynes and Cambridge could boost the economy. The £512,000 study by WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff, Halcrow and Steer Davies Gleave explored the potential for creating a dedicated road link between the three places. The report has found that a new link will improve journey times by up to 30 minutes along the length of the route. It would also support economic growth in the towns and cities on the Expressway. As well as being of benefit to commuters and businesses in Cambridge, Oxford and Milton Keynes, it would have a wider positive impact on Britain’s economy, the study found. Two further reports – the Trans-Pennine tunnel and the A1 east of England – are also published today. Studies into the M25 south west quadrant, the Manchester north west quadrant and the Northern Trans Pennine are also under way. Final reports of all six will be completed in the next six months and will inform the development of the government’s second Road Investment Strategy , which will get under way from 2020. This article was published on 19 Aug 2016 (last updated on 19 Aug 2016). Source link
Keyland Developments Ltd has gained planning approval from Kirklees Council for an industrial development comprising circa 400,000 sq ft of employment space on a 57 acre former water treatment works site in West Yorkshire which could bring about some 800 new jobs. The redundant North Bierley Water Treatment Works site, which is strategically positioned at a major intersection of the M62 Transpennine motorway and the M606 Bradford Link in West Yorkshire, has lain dormant since 2010. Keyland’s plans to transform the site into a major commercial scheme have been given the green light, giving a boost to the local and regional economy with the unlocking of land for new development and subsequent job creation. Keyland has worked closely with Kirklees Council to design a well-considered scheme to make a positive contribution to the long-term economic regeneration of the area. The circa 400,000 sq ft of industrial and associated ancillary office space approved for development is split in a ratio of 30% as B2 general industrial use and 70% B8 storage and distribution usage. Additionally, a separate application for a new school car park is in the planning process with Bradford Council. The range of unit sizes is intended to address the severe regional shortage of new industrial accommodation. Early research undertaken by Keyland indicated that nearby business parks in North Kirklees and South Bradford, as well as the wider regional area, are operating at full capacity. This has the knock-on effect of limited opportunities for local and regionally based businesses to expand within the area. The approval of the plans for North Bierley should assist with the retention of local and regional businesses. Peter Garrett, Managing Director of Keyland Developments Ltd, said; “Securing approval to bring back into use the strategically important North Bierley site is an excellent result and we are delighted that such an extensive and well-located site will now be able to achieve its full potential. The demand for new industrial and distribution space to support the growing needs of regional businesses is well documented and, in addition to facilitating some 800 new jobs, this scheme can protect the long-term needs of local and regional occupiers and potentially welcome inward investment to the area.” Keyland Developments Ltd is the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister company to Yorkshire Water. Keyland has been operating across Yorkshire for over 20 years, regenerating Yorkshire Water’s redundant sites. In addition to its work transforming former Yorkshire Water land, the team also works alongside independent landowners, corporates or regulated bodies to overcome obstacles to development on strategic sites in order to facilitate regeneration by securing planning consent for future use. Turley submitted the North Bierley planning application on behalf of Keyland Developments.
A family owned builder’s merchants, Chandlers Building Supplies, is looking for a number of young builders to join a panel of ‘Champions’ for a year. As part of this panel, Champions will be asked to share top tips and helpful advice for others starting out in the sector, provide feedback on various products and services, and share brief updates on building projects they work on during the year. Each Champion can also nominate a charity that they would like to benefit from their Champion status, with Chandlers Building Supplies making a small monthly donation on the Champions behalf to their charity. Sue McKinney of Chandlers Building Supplies said: “Supporting the next generation of builders is important to us so we are launching the Chandlers Champion programme. We hope this will provide a better understanding of young builders, identify the issues that affect them and establish what support they need to flourish in the construction sector.” Champions will be remunerated on a monthly basis, as well as receive other benefits to include products to test and branded work clothing for free. Eligible champions will be builders aged 18 to 35. For more information and to apply for the opportunity, email: sue.mckinney@chandlersbs.co.uk by April 3, 2018.
Hiab, part of Cargotec, invites the world’s best crane operators to submit their entries for the third World Crane Championship. Local heats begin soon, and the winner will be crowned at the finals, which will take place at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hannover, Germany, on 22-23 September 2018. The World Crane Championship aims to showcase the skills and abilities of loader crane operators from around the world, and give them the chance to test their skills against their peers, using the latest load handling products from Hiab. The first-ever World Crane Championship in 2015 started a new tradition in the industry, and generated such huge interest, that Hiab decided to make it a biannual event. The idea of the contest is quite simple: using a HIAB X-HiPro 232 crane, move water cans from a truck, accurately and with precision, around a circuit of obstacles, in the shortest time possible. The operator with the lowest time and fewest faults is crowned the winner, and takes home a prize worth €25,000. The first qualification rounds for the 2018 contest will take place in Germany and Austria in early March. To date, there are entries from 16 countries, including Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, The UK and Ireland, Spain, France, Poland, Slovenia, and Israel. The winner of the second World Crane Championship in 2016 was Tim Hansen, from Denmark, with a time of 2 minutes, 51:42 seconds. Aged just 25, Mr Hansen, of Tim S Hansen ApS, and the third generation of crane operators in his family, said, “Winning was a bit unreal.but it felt pretty good to win the prize and be able to call myself World Crane Champion.” His modesty belies his dexterity and agility at operating the HIAB X-HiPro-equipped crane with pin-sharp precision and accuracy whilst in the glare of the spotlight. The operators are the key people in any crane business. It is their skill and precision in operating a crane that determines how quickly and safely goods can be delivered to end-users. “The competitors take their entry into the competition very seriously,” says Lotta Sjöberg, Global Marketing Manager, Loader Cranes, Hiab. “I have been told that some set up a replica course in their work yards, and practice on a daily basis to hone their skills. They ask me all sorts of questions about the rules, the penalty system, and the course. So, this year, we are keeping all elements of the test course, the crane, and the truck the same, because contestants want to test themselves against the two previous winners on a like-for-like basis, and try to beat them.” There is intense, albeit good-natured, competition amongst the contestants, who are proud to represent their companies and their countries. “Afterwards, they swap contact details, so they can stay in touch with one another,” says Sjöberg. “If you are part of this competition, you become part of a wider Hiab family, and people really like that.” Indeed, feedback from contestants and their companies is very positive. Being the country-level champion is almost as good as being the world champion. “We are proud to have the World Crane Championship UK-country champion driving our company vehicles,” said Gary Halford, Plant Manager at Agetur UK Ltd, after the 2016 contest. And the winning UK-country driver, Trevor Tack, expressed his thanks to the whole Hiab family for an experience he will never forget. “We invite competitors from around the world to take up the challenge of testing themselves against each other,” says Joakim Andersson, Senior Vice President, Loader Cranes, Hiab. “I am looking forward to this year’s contest, and seeing the breathtaking levels of skill and precision that will be demonstrated by our finalists. We are proud to be able to host this competition, and be a part of the growing Hiab family of crane operators around the world.” For more information, and to sign up to compete in the qualification rounds, please visit www.worldcranechampionship.com.
Local MP and new Minister for Small Business, Andrew Griffiths, visited Tuffa UK’s Uttoxeter factory to celebrate a quarter of a century at that location and their recent shortlisting for the prestigious Sentinel Innovation Award. “Really good to meet the team at Tuffa and enjoyed a fascinating tour around the factory. It’s absolutely brilliant to hear of a local, second generation family business continuing to innovate and expand, and I wish them every success in their bid to win the Business Innovation award,” said Andrew Griffiths. Tuffa was shortlisted for a regional Business Innovation Award, with the judging panel being highly impressed by the innovative product design and development that has resulted in an increase in sales. The products include a unique, patented fire-protected material that can be integrally factory-fitted to heating oil tanks. This enables the tanks to be located next to a building for added convenience, security and space saving, while still complying with Local Authority Building Control (LABC) regulations. The company also developed a newly designed range of plastic fabricated tanks for the storage and dispensing of AdBlue®, the diesel cleaning additive. Currently, they are developing a new remote fuel monitoring telemetry system that will be launched over the next 12 months. Furthermore, Tuffa has also been awarded BS EN ISO 9001:2015 Certification, with the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) stating that the internationally recognised Quality Management System “helps to ensure customer get consistent, good quality products and services”. Due to these developments, Tuffa has experiences a significant growth over the last 18 months, with sales up by 25% halfway through the current financial year. Additionally, the company also managed to create 10 new permanent jobs in their factory and office. “We have a culture of continuous re-investment and innovative product development. We listen carefully to our customers to provide the best solutions for their bulk liquid storage,” said James Shenton, Tuffa UK General Manager. “We also work hard to offer the highest levels of customer support to create a winning combination of quality and service.”
Coastal Recycling has become the first waste resource management organisation in the South of England to be awarded the BSI standard national quality mark, PAS 402. This quality mark recognises the company’s commitment to reducing waste, specifically for the construction and demolition industry. PAS 402 is a nationally recognised quality waste management standard that focuses on recycling and energy recovery. It follows a rigorous process set by the BSI (the national standards body of the UK) to meet the particular needs of the construction and demolition industries. “This marks a key milestone for us. To lead the way as the first waste resource management organisation in the south of England to achieve this quality mark demonstrates our commitment to the environment. Recovering resources has been at the heart of our operations for some time and achieving PAS 402 is a fantastic external endorsement. The award is testimony to the great work done on all our sites and by all our teams of recycling operatives,” said Richard Marsh, Coastal Recycling Director. Coastal Recycling managed to achieve PAS 402 by meeting key performance targets across the operation including collection, transport, recovery, treatment and disposal of waste as well as reporting and evidence collection on waste management activity and materials recovery rates. In order to keep the standard, the company will have to continue meeting the same performance specifications. “Achieving PAS 402 is a great step for Coastal and a recognisable seal of approval for customers. When choosing to work with Coastal Recycling, customers can be confident that the demolition and construction materials leaving a site will be managed according to strict standards and that they will have verifiable information for any waste management audit,” said Taryn Clements, Coastal Recycling Head of Compliance. Based in Exeter, Coastal Recycling is the South West’s leading independent recycling and waste management specialist.
