Esh Construction has been appointed to carry out essential repairs to Abbeydale Dam in Sheffield in a £1.3 million scheme, with works now under way. The 18th-century dam forms part of Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, a Scheduled Monument and one of the city’s most valued heritage sites. Serious leaks were identified
Multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard will support the National Trust in meeting its net zero and other sustainability targets, after being selected to provide built heritage services for the conservation charity. Appointed under the Building Surveying Associate Model, Pick Everard’s specialist culture and heritage team will work alongside the National Trust to protect
HiiLIFE, a bespoke technology provider to the property sector, recently completed an audio-visual (AV) installation at The Store House, a new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development in Leeds, to coincide with the start of the 2025 academic year.
Whether working in quarries, infrastructure projects or large-scale earthworks, customers choosing between Rokbak’s robust RA30 and high-capacity RA40 can rely on expert guidance from the Scottish articulated hauler manufacturer’s product team. While both models share Rokbak’s hallmark durability, product manager Graeme Blake details the differentiating factors when selecting the optimal
United Infrastructure, a leading provider of solutions for the UK’s critical infrastructure, is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Social Infrastructure, has secured two major contracts totalling £14 million with Bromsgrove District Housing Trust (bdht), to enhance and decarbonise social housing across the Midlands. bdht is a registered provider of
Esh Construction has been appointed to carry out essential repairs to Abbeydale Dam in Sheffield in a £1.3 million scheme, with works now under way. The 18th-century dam forms part of Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, a Scheduled Monument and one of the city’s most valued heritage sites. Serious leaks were identified two years ago in the dam’s north-east corner, allowing water to pass through the walls and creating dangerous pressure. Temporary emergency measures reduced water levels and stabilised the structure, but permanent repairs are needed to protect the site. Michael Sherrard, Construction Manager at Esh Construction, said: “Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet is a unique and historically significant site. Esh is proud to bring its expertise in heritage restoration to ensure this landmark remains safe and operational for generations to come.” Following the project’s award by Sheffield City Council, working in partnership with Sheffield Museums Trust, Esh has undertaken extensive site investigations over the past 12 months and developed restoration designs alongside JC Consulting. The repair programme includes rebuilding and repointing displaced stonework using traditional stonemasonry, installing clay linings and waterproof membranes to prevent future leaks, and grouting voids to strengthen weakened areas. A working forge next to the spillway to the River Sheaf will also be underpinned as part of the contract. The technique involves placing concrete bags beneath the forge and grouting remaining voids. Given the site’s Scheduled Monument status, all activities are proceeding under consents from Historic England and with permits from the Environment Agency. Access will be provided via a temporary causeway across the reservoir, enabling the team to work in a dry zone while maintaining water retention. Works are progressing during Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet’s winter closure and are expected to complete by summer 2026. Alongside the dam repairs, Sheffield Museums will finish its Embrace Abbeydale programme, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, adding a new welcome hub celebrating the site’s history and a timber-framed play area for families when the attraction reopens in spring. Cllr Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “Safeguarding Abbeydale Dam is vital to preserving one of Sheffield’s most significant heritage assets. This repair programme tackles long-standing structural challenges and provides the stability needed for the future. We’re proud to be working with Esh Construction and Sheffield Museums Trust to deliver improvements that respect the dam’s historic character, enhance public safety, and ensure it remains a valued amenity for visitors for generations to come.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard will support the National Trust in meeting its net zero and other sustainability targets, after being selected to provide built heritage services for the conservation charity. Appointed under the Building Surveying Associate Model, Pick Everard’s specialist culture and heritage team will work alongside the National Trust to protect and care for its historic environment. It will assess and advise across mansion properties, let estates and in-hand buildings in the charity’s stewardship, and prepare low impact and future proofed specifications for conservation repairs, retrofit upgrades, as well as access and infrastructure improvements. Maintaining safety, quality and function of sites cared for by the charity are among the key goals of the work. In this, Pick Everard’s role will be to support strategic conservation by balancing these outcomes with the enhanced sustainability performance of its buildings and structures. Pick Everard will provide contract administration, building surveying, principal designer (CDM and Building Regulations), sustainability, and project management services across all regions in England and Wales. Headed up by Strategic Account Director, Matthew Appleton, Pick Everard’s heritage building surveying team has an excellent reputation for delivering solutions that ensure heritage sites meet modern day standards, preserve and enhance their significance, and prepare them for our future world. He said: “Some of the UK’s most treasured sites are in the care of the National Trust. By sharing our expertise and experience, we look forward to helping preserve and protect the nations heritage. “Taking into account the new generation of environmental and social challenges ahead of us, we will offer advice and guidance to support the National Trust in its aim of keeping historic places open to everyone now, and for future generations.” The National Trust estate is a diverse mix of historic sites, coastline and green spaces including more than 500 houses, castles, parks and gardens. In total the charity owns and cares for more than 28,500 buildings and structures – one of the largest, most varied and most significant collections of built structures anywhere in Europe. Tim Danson, Director of Sustainability and Energy at Pick Everard, added: “The National Trust has a target to meet carbon net zero by 2030, and to embed climate change adaptation in its decision making. We are thrilled to be in a position to help the Trust deliver its charitable purpose by embedding industry best practice approaches for sustainability on our heritage assets. “Our collaboration with the National Trust will also provide added value through knowledge sharing, CPD opportunities and work placements, helping to create lasting positive legacies for our client, the communities in which we work, and the wider environment.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HiiLIFE, a bespoke technology provider to the property sector, recently completed an audio-visual (AV) installation at The Store House, a new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) development in Leeds, to coincide with the start of the 2025 academic year. The Store House includes 369 en-suite bedrooms, which comprise a mix of studios and cluster flats, and amenity areas that accommodate a variety of uses to support productivity, wellness, and entertainment. HiiLIFE was appointed by Manner and worked closely with Orange Electrical and HG Construction to deliver comprehensive AV solutions across all amenity areas. This included co-working spaces and private study rooms, gym studio, games hub, cinema lounge, and a karaoke room. The advanced solutions installed have created a high-end, immersive technology experience that elevates the resident experience. HiiLIFE’s AV installation in the cinema lounge includes a high-performance projection and audio system. The technical solution also included the Control4 platform, which allows users to control lighting, sound, and video via a single touchpad display, offering both accessibility and ease of use. The gym studio is equipped with a fully integrated audio system and multiple displays, allowing users to connect and control the system from their personal devices. The games hub features consoles and high-definition displays, creating a space where residents can relax and socialise. HiiLIFE also installed a comprehensive AV set up for a karaoke room, introducing microphones, dynamic screens, and user-friendly controls to enhance the entertainment experience at The Store House. Jake Stephens, Technical Director at HiiLIFE, says: “Student living is evolving at a rapid pace, and today’s residents expect more from the spaces they live in. Our goal at The Store House was to design and deliver technology that enhances the living experience. We’re proud to have created a range of spaces that are seamless to use and inspiring to be in.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Whether working in quarries, infrastructure projects or large-scale earthworks, customers choosing between Rokbak’s robust RA30 and high-capacity RA40 can rely on expert guidance from the Scottish articulated hauler manufacturer’s product team. While both models share Rokbak’s hallmark durability, product manager Graeme Blake details the differentiating factors when selecting the optimal truck for productivity and efficiency. So, which one will you choose? Rokbak articulated haulers are delivering reliable performance on tough job sites around the world. With two models, the decision over which truck to use depends on the demands of the operation. The RA30 and RA40 share Rokbak’s core DNA of durability, simplicity and high uptime. Either model can suit almost any application. Which mean the key differentiating factors lie in areas such as payload needs, site layout and the equipment already on site. The RA30, with its 28 tonne (30.9 US ton) payload capacity, is the agile and versatile option. Its compact size and strong manoeuvrability make it well suited to tighter or more challenging environments such as steep quarry routes, smaller infrastructure works or sites where ground conditions frequently change. The larger RA40 offers a 38 tonne (41.9 US ton) payload for operations where moving more material per cycle is the priority. It performs at its best in high-volume production environments such as open-pit mines, large quarries or earthmoving projects with wide haul roads and long travel distances. When a site can support bigger loading equipment, the RA40 helps customers maximise output by ensuring an efficient flow of materials and reducing the cost per tonne. Matching the truck to the job Aligning the hauler with the right excavator or loading tool is essential. A typical target is four to six passes to fill the truck body. If significantly more passes are required, the extra payload capacity is not being fully utilised and overall productivity compromised. Likewise, haul road width and site congestion should influence fleet selection. Compact European sites, such as those in France, commonly rely on RA30 trucks, while markets with larger working areas and extended operating hours, such as Indonesia, often favour the RA40. Tough and tougher Many customers choose to deploy mixed fleets, combining the nimble efficiency of the RA30 with the payload power of the RA40 to suit different areas of the same site. The RA30 is the quiet workhorse that is always delivering results, while the RA40 is its tougher big brother, built to push productivity even further. Both offer strong operator comfort and control, with the RA30 equipped with true independent front suspension as standard. More than hauling Rokbak articulated haulers are not limited to material movement. Both models have been adapted for specialist roles such as water tankers for dust suppression and scraper units for surface stripping, demonstrating their versatility. Their durable build and dependable components ensure they can operate for long hours in demanding conditions where uptime is critical. By working closely with customers to understand their requirements in detail, we’re ensuring that whether it’s the RA30, the RA40 or both, the right solution is always available. Visit the Rokbak website to learn more about Rokbak articulated haulers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
United Infrastructure, a leading provider of solutions for the UK’s critical infrastructure, is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Social Infrastructure, has secured two major contracts totalling £14 million with Bromsgrove District Housing Trust (bdht), to enhance and decarbonise social housing across the Midlands. bdht is a registered provider of affordable homes, managing around 4,000 properties across Bromsgrove and the surrounding areas. bdht is committed to delivering high-quality, sustainable housing and services that meet the needs of local people. The first contract will see United Infrastructure deliver circa £10 million of large-scale retrofit and decarbonisation measures across bdht’s housing portfolio. The initiative aims to improve the energy efficiency of more than 500 homes in its initial phase, with the potential to scale to 1,000 properties over the duration of the programme. Scheduled to begin straightaway and delivered over two years, with potential for extension, the project will ensure that all bdht homes meet an EPC rating of C or above by 2030. The retrofit measures will reduce carbon emissions, improve the thermal performance of homes, and make them more affordable to heat. The works will also address longstanding issues such as damp and mould, significantly enhancing resident wellbeing. United Infrastructure has also been awarded a £4 million contract to deliver a comprehensive programme of planned refurbishment works. The project, procured through the Procurement for Housing (PfH) Framework, will commence in November 2025 and is scheduled to complete in March 2026. The works will involve the replacement of kitchens and bathrooms, installation of new boilers and heating systems, upgrades to windows and doors, and the renewal of roofing elements. This investment reflects bdht’s ongoing commitment to maintaining modern, energy-efficient homes and supports United Infrastructure’s mission to deliver safe, comfortable, and sustainable living environments for local communities. United Infrastructure will work in close collaboration with bdht to ensure the delivery of high-quality outcomes. Both contracts place strong emphasis on delivering meaningful social value, including the creation of employment and training opportunities, support for bdht’s liaison staff, and a neighbourhood-based approach that maximises community benefit across all tenures. These important contracts help further broaden United Infrastructure’s footprint in the Midlands, making it a significant local employer and contributor to local economic growth. Vlad Nedelcu, Chief Operating Officer, Social Infrastructure, commented: “We are proud to partner with bdht on these transformative programmes. Together, we are not only improving the quality and energy performance of homes but also delivering long-term value to residents and supporting sustainable communities across the Midlands.” Steve Phillips, Head of Asset Management, bdht, said: “These new contracts with United Infrastructure will make a real difference to bdht customers and their communities. The £14 million investment will make hundreds of homes warmer, more energy-efficient and more affordable to run. Alongside this, essential upgrades to kitchens, bathrooms, heating systems, roofs, windows, and doors will help ensure our homes remain safe, modern and well-maintained for many years to come.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals