Residential planning and approvals provided little hope for a short-term recovery of the market in Barbour ABI’s latest market figures, whilst contract award values continue to highlight market volatility. Planning applications and approvals across the construction industry remained subdued in May after a turn for the worst in April which
Real estate developer, Firethorn Trust, has secured the final letting at Ascent Logistics Park, a net-zero logistics development in Leighton Buzzard. Firethorn Trust is acting as asset and development manager on behalf of the scheme’s owner, privately-held investment firm, Cain International. All eight units are now let at Ascent Logistics
With the Met Office issuing a yellow warning as temperatures are predicted to reach 30 degrees in parts of England this weekend, insulation specialist Actis is alerting specifiers to the role insulation has to play in helping mitigate the effects of rising global temperatures. And with Part O of the
As over a billion pounds in funding has become available for large-scale, high-quality retrofit projects, housing associations, social housing providers, local authorities and contractors can now access the best in retrofitting talent following the launch of a new careers platform. As the organisation announced its milestone of 5,000 people being
Polymer pipework manufacturer REHAU has unveiled Clip-Flex, a next-generation district heating shroud designed to offer unrivalled flexibility to installers and contractors. The shroud was officially unveiled at REHAU’s recent district heating workshop in central London, where delegates were able to gain a hands-on look at the new technology. Steve Richmond,
GLP, the leading global business builder in logistics, digital infrastructure, renewable energy and related technologies, is set to speculatively develop 1.4 million SQ FT across four units in Magna Park Lutterworth (MPL), reflecting the sustained expansion and success of Europe’s largest dedicated logistics park. GLP has received detailed planning permission
Multi-award-winning new homes developer Weston Homes is pleased to announce the launch of their highly anticipated Dylon Riverside development in Sydenham, London. As part of the second phase of the redevelopment of the former Dylon textiles factory site, the area is being transformed into a new £100 million (GDV) high-quality
Eye-opening new research from construction AR pioneer XYZ Reality reveals majority of UK and US construction projects are plagued by errors and rarely delivered on time. XYZ Reality[1], the world’s leading Engineering Grade Augmented Reality (AR)™ solutions provider for construction, publishes a landmark report on the major challenges facing UK
With construction work now well underway, progress is taking shape on-site at Leeds Valley Park, with three of the six steel unit frames now erected and fit-out due to commence imminently. This £26.2 million construction project is set to bring six high quality, modern industrial units ranging in size from
The new fibre-optic cable deployed along the Tunnel provides access to the highest number of data centres fibre-connected between the UK and mainland Europe Colt Technology Services (Colt), the digital infrastructure company, today announced the successful completion of the deployment of a new dark fibre (G.652D/G.657) cable along the Channel
Residential planning and approvals provided little hope for a short-term recovery of the market in Barbour ABI’s latest market figures, whilst contract award values continue to highlight market volatility. Planning applications and approvals across the construction industry remained subdued in May after a turn for the worst in April which saw contract awards fall by a third and planning approvals at their lowest since June 2022. Approvals are at just £6.1bn, and applications have fallen to £7.4bn, with similar trends across both, according to the latest figures from Barbour ABI. The residential sector looks weak, with a 30% bump in April applications falling back to just £3.2bn in May and with limited recovery in approvals. This suggests there is little hope for those looking for a rally in tumbling house-building numbers in the short term. Infrastructure also appears to have fallen over the last few months, with overall planning activity decreasing by 15-25% compared to last year. Infrastructure applications fell by 50% in May to £1.3bn compared to April, the weakest monthly value since Sept 2021. Contract Awards Meanwhile, contract awards provide a more complex picture, recovering by 20% compared to April with £5.6bn, in line with the long-run average – but well down from the £6.6bn per month seen over Q1 and 2022. Surprisingly Residential contract awards saw a sharp increase after a 30% fall in April. Barbour ABI Chief Economist Tom Hall explained, “Across construction sectors, May was a strange month for contract awards as some sectors bucked recent negative trends. Residential and commercial sectors saw a welcome bounce while others suffered, highlighting the continuing see-sawing and uncertainty we have seen in recent months. Meanwhile, the industrial sector suffered a disappointing 37% fall. May’s £500m was the lowest level since last June. The infrastructure sector also seems to be on a new lower path, with the second month in a row below £1bn: the last time this happened was in 2021.” Find out more at Barbour-abi.com.
Real estate developer, Firethorn Trust, has secured the final letting at Ascent Logistics Park, a net-zero logistics development in Leighton Buzzard. Firethorn Trust is acting as asset and development manager on behalf of the scheme’s owner, privately-held investment firm, Cain International. All eight units are now let at Ascent Logistics Park, with the final 48,639 sq ft unit to be occupied by Next plc, the British multinational clothing, home and beauty products retailer. The 25.5-acre industrial development comprises highly-specified Grade A logistics space – ranging from 14,533 to 125,510 sq ft – and has attracted occupiers from a variety of sectors. Next plc joins existing tenants AS Colour, HCA UK, Tate Business Group, Spreetail, Airbox UK, Solution EU and Stone Hardy at the scheme, which reached completion last May. Accredited by the UK Green Building Council for its net-zero carbon construction, Ascent Logistics Park is rated BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and offers a modern, future-proof specification that will provide tangible and long-lasting benefits for both occupiers and the environment. Chris Beer, Senior Associate at Firethorn Trust, said: “We’ve worked in close collaboration with every occupier to ensure they can benefit from a high-quality and flexible warehousing space, which is designed to fully support their operational requirements, strengthen future business plans and empower their ESG commitments. Ascent is a bold, ambitious and forward-thinking development that will place every tenant in a prime position for growth.” Tim Brazier, Senior Vice President at Cain International, said: “We’re delighted to reach this significant milestone at Ascent Logistics Park, with the scheme fully let within 12 months of completion. Ascent’s popularity with such a diverse range of tenants reflects the scheme’s excellent specification, underpinning our belief that high quality spaces with a focus on sustainability will continue to thrive in a competitive market.” For more information, visit www.ascentlogisticspark.co.uk
With the Met Office issuing a yellow warning as temperatures are predicted to reach 30 degrees in parts of England this weekend, insulation specialist Actis is alerting specifiers to the role insulation has to play in helping mitigate the effects of rising global temperatures. And with Part O of the building regulations obliging architects to limit unwanted solar gains and provide a way to remove heat from residential dwellings, Actis stresses that while some insulation products can make homes unbearably hot in the summer, reflective alternatives also act as coolants – helping protect the health and comfort of the occupants. And its latest product – two-in-one Eolis HC – launched last month, joins its well-established Hybrid range in helping buildings stay cool. The technical experts behind the creation of the new product, a reflective insulation with an integrated vapour barrier created from Actis’ revolutionary Triplex technology, explain that the reflective films from which it is created reflect 90% of infrared radiation. Mark Cooper, UK and Ireland sales manager at Actis, said: “”As we know, some forms of insulation can make houses blisteringly hot in the summer. Not so with our products, which are designed to help keep houses cool in summer as well as warm in winter. Using reflective insulation alone is not the answer to addressing the impact of climate change, but it will mitigate some of the effects by enabling houses to remain at a pleasant temperature. “No form of insulation can address the significant effects of solar gain through windows though. That needs to be addressed by judicious use of curtains or siting the windows in strategic positions – a job for the architect.” The Triplex technology on which Eolis HC is based is created from a number of layers of reflective films, each separated by a thin layer of fibre, trapping air between each section, boosting thermal performance. A new colour-coded alert system was launched last week in response to more frequent heatwaves sparked by climate change. Run by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHS)A and the Met Office, it is aimed at reducing illness and deaths among vulnerable people. As well as the current yellow alert, amber means the impact could affect the wider population and is likely to be felt across the whole health service, while red means a significant risk to life, even for healthy people, and a severe impact expected across all sectors.
As over a billion pounds in funding has become available for large-scale, high-quality retrofit projects, housing associations, social housing providers, local authorities and contractors can now access the best in retrofitting talent following the launch of a new careers platform. As the organisation announced its milestone of 5,000 people being enrolled on its courses, The Retrofit Academy has launched its Careers Hub to help prospective employers of retrofit advisors, coordinators and assessors find emerging talent. This comes as the Government recently announced £1.8bn in funding for the large-scale retrofitting of homes in the form of the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) and Home Upgrade Grant (HUG). As housing associations, social housing providers, local authorities and their appointed contractors now have the financial support to deliver large scale retrofit, the UK requires a sizable, qualified workforce. Companies searching for skilled retrofit talent can now become an organisational member of The Retrofit Academy, joining the multiple organisations already active on the platform. Here, they can set up a virtual stand from which they can host information about their company, interact with prospective talent and, crucially, advertise open retrofit employment opportunities direct to those considering a career in retrofit, in training or already qualified. Being the driving force behind large-scale, high-quality retrofitting and creating the workforce to deliver it is central to The Retrofit Academy’s strategy, as the organisation’s CEO, David Pierpoint, explains. David said: “Retrofitting 27 million homes in less than 30 years is going to require hundreds of thousands of new, skilled people. The Retrofit Careers Hub will provide those people with a front door to the industry, providing information, advice and guidance. We are now able to offer our partner companies a platform to access the best fresh talent entering the sector.” The hub provides useful tools for individuals looking to develop or start their career in retrofit, not only by connecting them with employers and job opportunities, but also by presenting them with networking, knowledge resources and training opportunities. A programme of regular virtual events and online forums meanwhile, will ensure this community of affiliated employers and retrofit professionals can benefit from the expertise offered through The Retrofit Academy’s extended network of specialist partners. David adds: “With more than 400,000 competent retrofitters needed to achieve our 2050 carbon-saving targets, The Retrofit Academy is driving the development of the workforce by delivering 200,000 of them. Having already enrolled 5,000 people to our courses, this new Hub is a key enabler for everyone involved in the whole house retrofitting challenge to develop and access a qualified workforce to achieve this goal.” For more information about the new Retrofit Careers Hub, link to enquire and to sign up, click here
Polymer pipework manufacturer REHAU has unveiled Clip-Flex, a next-generation district heating shroud designed to offer unrivalled flexibility to installers and contractors. The shroud was officially unveiled at REHAU’s recent district heating workshop in central London, where delegates were able to gain a hands-on look at the new technology. Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing & Technical at REHAU Building Solutions, was also at hand to breakdown the benefits of the shroud in his talk on innovation in district heating shrouds & industry training. With up to 22.5° range of motion in all directions, the shroud allows pipework to be angled as per the demands of the project, allowing contractors far greater flexibility on site. Steve said: “Shrouds are a key part of any district heating network, influencing installation time and ease. Your pre-insulated pipe and joints are only as good as the shrouds that cover them, so it was important for us to create a solution that gave the highest level of both flexibility and reliability.” “We have spoken to countless designers and contractors in the development of Clip-Flex, and have taken their priorities into consideration. Through ongoing collaboration with industry professionals working in the field of district heating, we have been able to create a shroud that facilitates easier installation, optimises heat network performance, and also has the potential to deliver cost savings in materials.” The shroud’s larger diameter makes it compatible with all REHAU PE-Xa district heating pipes from 25mm to 160mm, meaning it now covers all RAUVITHERM and RAUTHERMEX sizes. Clip-Flex also features up to 20% more interior space, allowing a much wider range of tees to be used, including REHAU’s own FUSAPEX and modular tees. Using FUSAPEX can offer cost savings and improved lead times by using standard shrouds and fittings instead of custom pre-insulated tees, significantly reducing the total number of shrouds needed on a project. Steve concluded: “We view the development of Clip-Flex as a true landmark moment for polymer district heating pipework. The innovative shroud has the potential to revolutionise the way polymer district heating pipes can be installed, so we look forward to bringing it to UK market.” For more information on Clip-Flex, CLICK HERE.
GLP, the leading global business builder in logistics, digital infrastructure, renewable energy and related technologies, is set to speculatively develop 1.4 million SQ FT across four units in Magna Park Lutterworth (MPL), reflecting the sustained expansion and success of Europe’s largest dedicated logistics park. GLP has received detailed planning permission for four new warehouses, three in Magna Park South, MPS Unit 9 (388,000 SQ FT), MPS Unit 10 (119,000 SQ FT) and MPS Unit 11 (136,000 SQ FT) and one building in Magna Park North, MPN 5, measuring 761 000 SQ FT. All units are due for practical completion by the end of Spring 2024. MPN 5 will be a Breeam Outstanding building with all three other developments planned to achieve Breeam Excellent. Each unit will be net-zero in construction and independently certified by the Planet Mark. GLP will also be supporting customers to reduce energy and operational costs, by providing a complimentary Planet Mark program to help monitor, track and reduce their respective carbon footprint. The buildings will be designed to WELL principles with the occupiers in mind, with GLP aiming to provide a more productive and pleasant working environment for employees. In addition, GLP are currently building a 200-acre Country Park enhancing the park’s facilities and providing recreation areas for both customers and the wider community. Last year, GLP also partnered with North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, and Wincanton to house The Centre for Logistics, Education and Research (CLEAR) – a unique research, innovation, education, and training facility for both customers on the park and the wider logistics industry. Magna Park Lutterworth now has only one building available to lease, MPS 5 (187, 253 SQ FT), with a further two build to suit plots available for development, MPN 7 (411,000 SQ FT) and MPN 6 (840,000 SQ FT). In the last two phases of spec development, the park has welcomed customers such as Bleckmann, Iron Mountain, LX Pantos and Unipart. This underlines the sustained levels of new and repeat customer demand for the high-quality environment that Magna Park Lutterworth offers, which now consists of 47 buildings and is over 13m SQ FT. Joe Garwood, Senior Development Director at GLP, remarks: “We are extremely pleased to announce such a significant level of speculative build across our flagship UK logistics park. This is a testament to our confidence in the resilience of the UK logistics market and the strategic importance of the Midlands in particular. We have seen huge success with our speculative development programme at Lutterworth to date, attracting a wide range of top-tier customers, and we’re confident that we will see strong demand for this new space. Once finalised and occupied, the four units will generate hundreds of employment opportunities and contribute towards the economic growth and commercial upskilling of the Midlands region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Multi-award-winning new homes developer Weston Homes is pleased to announce the launch of their highly anticipated Dylon Riverside development in Sydenham, London. As part of the second phase of the redevelopment of the former Dylon textiles factory site, the area is being transformed into a new £100 million (GDV) high-quality residential development. Providing 254 one, two and three-bedroom apartments, the development will include undercroft basement parking, a new children’s play space, an outdoor gymnasium and extensive landscaped gardens. Designed by Ian Ritchie Architects, with detailed design by Weston Homes’ in-house architectural and design team, Dylon Riverside comprises two 4 to 11-storey buildings with a large communal garden extending down towards the Pool River, as well as a new lit river walk. The three-year construction programme began earlier this year, with the first apartments ready to move into in summer 2024. The Dylon (‘Dyes of London’) textiles dyeing factory which formerly stood on the site of this development was founded in 1946 by entrepreneurs Luca Purbeck and Peter Samuel. The factory provided colourful dyes for clothing, curtains and other household goods; the vibrant colours aimed at brightening up the spirits of families across post-war Britain.The stylish homes at Dylon Riverside feature Weston Homes’ premium, fully inclusive specification with contemporary open-plan living areas, superb bespoke designer kitchens equipped with an integrated microwave, fridge/freezer, washer/dryer, dishwasher and energy saving ceramic hob. Luxurious bathrooms and en suites have Smart technology and are finished to the highest standards with modern living in mind. Buyers will be able to simply move in and begin enjoying a new, enviable lifestyle without having to spend time and money renovating. This market-leading specification has been celebrated earning Weston Homes the ‘Gold’ Medium Housebuilder of the year and the ‘Gold’ for Best Interior Design at the WhatHouse? Awards 2022. Hyperoptic superfast broadband is installed in each home, so residents can remain fully connected for work and leisure. Weston Homes offer a wide range of designer options from kitchen units, luxurious flooring, bathroom cabinetry and tiling (subject to the stage of construction), enabling buyers to personalise their home and truly make it their own.The Weston Homes design team carefully considers every element of their homes from insulation to airtight junctions and glazing to heating specifications, all in a bid to optimise performance. The less heat energy that escapes, the less energy is required from the heating system, reducing both CO2 emissions and running costs. All residents have access to outdoor space, with a private balcony, terrace or winter garden to every apartment. Landscaping weaves its way through the development providing views from the majority of apartments. A short stroll from Dylon Riverside are tranquil green spaces to be enjoyed.Dylon Riverside is just a 15-minute stroll from Sydenham high street and within easy reach of vibrant Beckenham. Sydenham is a leafy suburb bordering Crystal Palace Park, with an eclectic range of shops, restaurants, cafes, pubs and gyms and a number of schools nearby rated either OFSTED Outstanding or Good, making it a great place to live for families. The new homes are just a two-minute walk to Lower Sydenham train station with direct trains to London Bridge in 14 minutes. There are a number of Discount Market Sale (DMS) properties available at the development offering a 30% discount to key workers or local buyers who live or work in the Borough of Bromley. The 30% discount is part of the Discount Market Sale (DMS) scheme where Weston Homes, working in partnership with Bromley Council has a collection of one- and two-bedroom new apartments that are available to buy at just 70% of their market value but still giving their buyer 100% of the ownership. To be eligible, buyers must earn less than £90,000 a year and not own another property in the UK or abroad (other criteria apply).First-time buyer Alessandro Sottilaro who purchased an apartment with Weston Homes using the DMS scheme says “I fell in love with the Weston Homes apartments, but I initially thought that we could not afford one until I found the Discount Market Sale scheme. By using the discount, we could afford a new apartment that is perfect for us. We went directly to the showroom, met the Sales Consultants and within five minutes we wanted one of the homes and bought immediately. I love the fact that it is so fresh, modern and finished to such a high standard.” Suzanne Aplin, Group Sales & Marketing Director at Weston Homes says: “We are thrilled to announce the launch of Dylon Riverside, a truly exceptional development in the heart of Sydenham which is part of the transformation of the former Dylon textiles factory site into a vibrant new community. With its outstanding design, luxurious features, and prime location, Dylon Riverside offers residents a remarkable living experience and provides the perfect homes for first-time buyers and young couples or families who want to live within close commuting distance to Central London without the inner-city price tag”. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Eye-opening new research from construction AR pioneer XYZ Reality reveals majority of UK and US construction projects are plagued by errors and rarely delivered on time. XYZ Reality[1], the world’s leading Engineering Grade Augmented Reality (AR)™ solutions provider for construction, publishes a landmark report on the major challenges facing UK and US construction and the solutions that are being used today to combat them. Carried out in partnership with market research experts OnePoll[2], the report surveyed 541 decision makers from the leading contractors in the United States and the United Kingdom, revealing the true scale of the delays and defects currently squeezing the sector’s already tight margins. The causes we myriad, with ongoing supply chain disruptions (47%), rising construction costs (44%), and collaboration (39%) ranked by company executives as the top three greatest challenges for the coming year. Poor cooperation, coordination and skills were also flagged as major internal contributing factors. Britain’s Rework Migraine The research also gives crucial insights into the root causes of project delays and rework, as well as the implications on budgets and schedule, output and client satisfaction, going on to showcase technology’s role in improving productivity. Taking a deeper dive into the UK-specific results, the findings reveal an alarmingly high number of respondents regularly miss deadlines (56%), with almost all companies polled reporting a backlog of projects. Design changes (28%), poor communication (27%) and labour shortages (23%) were the top three primary causes cited. Quality remains an issue too. A significant minority, around a quarter of respondents, consider accuracy to be only “somewhat important”, which is surprising given the UK’s recent focus on building safety, regulations and compliance. Against this context, it’s easy to see why most respondents added they frequently encounter errors leading to rework, suggesting the need to prioritize timely completion may lead some to overlook the importance of maintaining high standards. Commenting on the findings, XYZ Reality’s Founder & CEO, David Mitchell, said, “It’s incredibly concerning to see companies reporting frequent errors and project delays and is a stark reminder that we desperately need a proactive strategy and a forward-thinking approach in construction. If the industry is going to meet critical production and sustainability targets in such a challenging market, embracing digital transformation is no longer optional – it’s the essential key to unlocking productivity in the industry and dissolving the significant project backlog.” The Human Factor Exploring the numbers further, four fifths attributed poor quality assurance, error and resulting rework to human factors. Poor communication (41%), inexperienced workers (39%), insufficient supervision (32%) and design changes (30%) were consistently identified as the main reasons. Interestingly, under one in ten respondents blame ineffective technology. Error and rework can quickly ramp up project costs, leading contractors to desperately seek ways to bring down elevated construction costs. The report revealed stockpiling (72%), the tendency to change project design (65%) and reduce overhead costs (54%) to be the key ways companies are balancing the scales. Technology is another popular option for cost control, pointed to by a majority 56% of firms, reflecting growing confidence in tech as a solution to many of the challenges facing construction today. A changing tide This shift in momentum was mirrored by three fifths of respondents highlighting technology as a leading solution for addressing rework and errors. AR was particularly popular, with its versatile technology, – including, but not limited to, onsite measuring, drawing and markup tools, and camera capture and model viewer applications – reportedly used by an impressive 73% of respondents. Similarly, Engineering Grade AR is predicted to have the biggest impact on onsite productivity, spotlighted by 71% of companies. David concludes, “The UK construction sector has evidently embraced digital adoption to address these persistent issues, turning to advanced technology like Engineering Grade AR to provide a level of unparalleled accuracy and mitigate errors and delays. It’s also encouraging to see that cost and availability no longer seem to be the barriers they once were. However, as our report indicates, as good as these tools are, they’re only as good as those operating them – communication and collaboration must improve to realise their full potential to eliminate human error on-site, once and for all.” To download the research report click here[3] Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With construction work now well underway, progress is taking shape on-site at Leeds Valley Park, with three of the six steel unit frames now erected and fit-out due to commence imminently. This £26.2 million construction project is set to bring six high quality, modern industrial units ranging in size from 25,000 sq ft to 70,000 sq ft. The units have heights ranging from 8 to 12 metres, dock level access to all except the smallest unit, office and welfare accommodation on the first floor, with LED lighting and Air Source Heat Pumps. They offer excellent space for a wide range of logistics, distribution and manufacturing uses. All six buildings have been designed with sustainability in mind and are set to achieve a ‘Very Good’ BREEAM rating upon completion, and target EPC A rating. An attractive proposition for occupiers looking to future-proof, by design, the development will be PV ready/installed, as well as including electric vehicle charging points and cycle provision. The units have a fantastic location in south east Leeds and the site benefits from being situated between Junction 44 of the M1 and Junction 7 of the M621, enabling great connectivity to Leeds, the local motorway network and beyond. Work so far completed includes the cladding and glazing on the first unit and the installation of mains services and primary drainage, with construction of the fourth steel frame nearing completion. The next phase of works will include further cladding and glazing, internal concrete slabs and substation installation. Fit-out works are also due to commence imminently, with overall completion scheduled for November this year. The flagship employment site has been brought forward by multi-sector property developer, Caddick Developments in conjunction with owners Greater Manchester Pension Fund, with Caddick Construction leading project delivery. Working in partnership across the Caddick Group, the two businesses have undertaken swift and efficient delivery, bringing much-needed Grade A industrial space to Leeds and providing a welcome economic boost to the local area, supporting >300 jobs during construction, with an additional 500 jobs created when the units are occupied. Avison Young, as retained advisor to the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF), advised on the purchase, and is now actively marketing the site, alongside joint agents, Carter Towler. Paul Dodsworth, Managing Director at Caddick Construction commented: “It’s brilliant to see this flagship employment scheme really start to take shape at Leeds Valley Park. Once complete, this development will offer local businesses a great opportunity to map their operations only 15 minutes from central Leeds, just between Junction 44 of the M1 and Junction 7 of the M621. “Working alongside Caddick Developments means that we can ensure the very best service across the board, efficient processes are in use and all aspects of the development and operations married with the vision from Caddick Developments.” Jim Dyson, Director at Caddick Developments, also commented: “When it comes to urban logistics, connectivity is key, and Leeds Valley Park benefits from the unrivalled motorway connections of Leeds’ premier industrial and distribution location. “Our work with Caddick Construction to bring forward this 300,000 sq ft scheme is a great example of how the Caddick Group has the agility to collaborate across disciplines and create exemplar, market-leading developments that meet the needs of different locations and occupiers.” Rob Oliver, Principal at Avison Young, advised: “The units are attracting considerable interest from both companies already in the area, and are looking to establish a first Leeds facility. We are in active discussions with a number of parties, looking to take occupation of a new, high specification, sustainable, facility before the end of the year.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The new fibre-optic cable deployed along the Tunnel provides access to the highest number of data centres fibre-connected between the UK and mainland Europe Colt Technology Services (Colt), the digital infrastructure company, today announced the successful completion of the deployment of a new dark fibre (G.652D/G.657) cable along the Channel Tunnel connecting London (UK) to Paris (France). Colt’s new fibre network will provide businesses and organisations with faster, more reliable, and uninterrupted data connectivity across borders. It will also support the growing demand for cloud computing and other digital services in both London and Paris, with a seamless end-to-end SLA. Responsible for the day-to-day operations of all new cables installed in the Channel Tunnel, Colt boasts a transfer rate of several Tbps per fibre pair with the new infrastructure. With this evolution of the infrastructure, customers will have access to their 100Gbps/400Gbps Colt IQ Network, supported by reliable low latency, high-bandwidth connectivity and service guarantees through the tunnel. The tunnel offers the best path to close a key network loop that runs between London, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. In accordance with the Channel Tunnel’s safety and security regulations, all connectivity services will be highly secure. They will offer significantly more capacity than subsea cables and will be placed in a highly protected environment that is not vulnerable to piracy, ship anchors, commercial fishing, or shipping. The tunnel has had no accidents since its installation in 1994. “We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the next step in this important project,” said Herve Jost, Director of Eurotunnel/Getlink Connectivity Solutions, Colt Technology Services. “Approximately 80% of the internet traffic which runs between the UK and mainland Europetoday travels through the Channel Tunnel. It is crucial to increase the bandwidth, enhance performance, bolster reliability, and fortify the security of our network. This is vital to ensure a continuous and uninterrupted flow of data, specifically to address peak demand and new bandwidth needs within the Channel Tunnel, driven by new technologies such as AI and Metaverse. Our new fibre cable in the Tunnel will transform the subterranean rail link between the UK and mainland Europe into a major data route to support the anticipated growth in traffic over the coming years.” In September 2021, Colt and Getlink signed a 25-year exclusive ‘concession’ contract to install and operate a new fiber optic network spanning the Channel Tunnel, using the latest connectivity technology to establish seamless connectivity between the UK and mainland Europe. This 25-year agreement is bringing new dark fiber and data services to the Channel Tunnel for the first time in a generation. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals