the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched a new nationwide competition to consider the future of flood defences for the UK. Entrants have been given access to river catchment data, published as part of Defra’s open data programme, to consider how best to tackle flooding in Cumbria. The competition is focused on practical solutions and bold innovation. Government will consider how any of the creative ideas could be applied to real world flood management. Defra chief scientist Ian Boyd said: “We have now published more than 10,000 datasets in just one year with our Open Data programme. This competition is a fantastic opportunity for some of the best and brightest talent around the UK to use this vast resource to help us keep communities, families and homes safer from flooding. It will also help improve our understanding of the nation’s natural environment.” At the launch event, held at Defra’s Nobel House in London, sessions were held on river modelling research, the power of open data and latest technologies. Interest is expected from academic experts, insurance companies, water companies, technology and consultancy companies, as well as environmental NGOs. The competition follows the creation of the Cumbria Floods Partnership, and work on the government’s National Flood Resilience Review, which will highlight new ways to better protect the country from floods. A version of this story first appeared on wwtonline Source link

Infrastructure new work has now hit its second-lowest level since December 2014 and was down by 5.8 per cent year on year, according to the ONS. Construction Products Association economics director Noble Francis said the downturn in work across the sector “reflects the impact of poor weather at the start of the year”, adding that skills shortages were continuing to hamper growth. Show Fullscreen Infrastructure output Jan 2015-Jan 2016_ONS Source: ONS However, some senior economists have raised doubts whether the ONS’s infrastructure data is truly reflective of the sector. There have been claims that the data has overstated certain infrastructure projects, particularly energy and electricity, which have overinflated output figures for the sector. Source link

Hong Kong-based Circle Group, represented by Savills, has let 409 Oxford Street in London to Polish cosmetics retailer Inglot.  At £1,113 Zone A, the deal has set a new record rent for Oxford Street. Inglot has agreed a new 10-year lease for the 600 sq ft (58 sq m) unit at a total annual rent of £625,000.  The store will be its third in the UK following successful openings at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City. This deal continues the trend of international brands establishing a presence in the West End, with 10 new global retailers opening their first store in London to so far this year including APM Monaco, Ron Dorff and GH Bass.  A further 13 international retailers are expected to open their first store in the capital by the end of 2016, including Philip Plein, Ellie Saab and Maiyet Sam Foyle, Oxford Street specialist at Savills, comments: “We are pleased to have secured another hugely successful global brand for Oxford Street.  Competition among retailers for the best locations remains aggressive, as reflected by the record rent agreed with Inglot.” Anthony Selwyn, head of Central London retail at Savills, adds: “Oxford Street continues to act as a strong magnet‎ for new brands coming to London.  Given Crossrail’s influence and discussions about the potential pedestrianisation of Oxford Street, we expect to see a surge of new entrants focusing on the street over the next 12 to 24 months.” Inglot was represented by BC Retail. Savills also secured the previous record rent for Oxford Street with a letting to Swatch Group Ltd at £1,010 Zone A in July 2015.  Source link

Select, a campaigning trade body for the electrotechnical industry in Scotland, has told its 1200 members it is for them alone to make their decision on whether to vote either to stay or leave the EU at the referendum to be held on 23 of June this year.   Select’s members who account for around 90% of all electrical installation work carried out in Scotland, have a collective turnover of around £1bn and provide employment for some 15,000 people. Newell McGuiness, Select’s managing director, said: “Just as in the Scottish independence referendum in September 2014, our view is that the question of whether the UK remains in, or leaves, the EU is entirely a matter for our individual members. “I expect that, just as in the rest of the country, there is a range of opinions on the subject amongst our members and, as a representative organisation we would not presume to offer an opinion on the issue.” Source link