A major project which will see the A13 between Orsett and Stanford-le-Hope widened from two to three lanes and four bridges replaced has reached a key milestone. The first bridge has been demolished under the scheme, along with street lighting column removal and BT communication cable installation. Saffron Gardens Bridge
AFC Bournemouth have put all major construction packages out to tender for its new multi-million pound training complex. This comes after the revised plans for the development were approved by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, subject to Secretary of State referral. The £20 million project will see the former Canford
Sheffield City Council has built on the success of its ‘The Building Block’ programme with the launch of a new construction learning hub. The initiative was introduced in the city due its shortage of construction workers, with more than 85 people now successfully moving into full time construction work in
A collection of three office buildings along Bristol’s waterfront have been sold in a deal worth £27.75 million. Legal & General’s UK Property Fund purchased the Quayside Bristol properties from DAS and ERGO. This deal follows the recent acquisition of the Iron self-storage portfolio, its landmark self-storage deal as the
Costain has named its first ever chief digital officer. Nathan Marsh will take on the role, leading the accelerated implementation of Costain’s commercial digital strategy, with responsibility for the delivery of Group-wide digital services enhancing the solutions to its clients. He will also take up a position as a member
The UN Climate Neutral Now initiative is making waves across the world with the first UK architectural practice officially committing to the scheme. Assael Architecture has signed up to calculate and disclose the current carbon footprint of the practice, including international air travel, and show a clear pathway to reducing
A deal has been reached for a £29 million secondary school in Barry, South Wales. Contractor Morgan Sindall has signed on to deliver the project, which will feature space for 1,100 pupils. The new build will replace the existing Whitmore High School, which currently supports 905 pupils. The current school
A deal has been reached with national contractor BAM to deliver a major scheme at Guy’s Hospital in London. The firm will work with Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust to deliver four brand new cancer wards on the third and fourth floors of Bermondsey Wing. Based on AHR
Unblocktober, the world’s first awareness month aimed at protecting the UK’s sewers and seas, is launching this week – and it’s not too late for businesses and individual householders to join the thousands who are already involved in this groundbreaking initiative. Having launched on October 1st, the campaign aims to
Willmott Dixon has secured its second Queen’s Award for Enterprise for sustainable development. Willmott Dixon’s sustainable achievements include: reducing carbon emissions relative to turnover by 59 per cent since 2010; cutting construction waste intensity by 57% since 2012: and being carbon neutral for the sixth year running. HM The Queen’s
A major project which will see the A13 between Orsett and Stanford-le-Hope widened from two to three lanes and four bridges replaced has reached a key milestone. The first bridge has been demolished under the scheme, along with street lighting column removal and BT communication cable installation. Saffron Gardens Bridge linked a major farm to the A1013 Stanford Road, either side of the A13. An alternative access road was upgraded before the works to allow the farm to continue to operate as normal throughout the entire duration of the project. Kier used protective debris mats to protect the existing road surface underneath the bridge, with four demolition machines used to demolish the structure itself, as well as water cannons to control the spread of dust across the site and into public areas. Live vibration monitoring was also in place to ensure that the demolition did not adversely affect the nearby gas pipeline. At Saffron Gardens Farm the replacement bridge has been designed to accommodate larger agricultural machinery which is prevalent in modern farming, with the new bridge due to be installed in 2020. “Demolishing Saffron Gardens Bridge was a major milestone for our project and I would like to thank the team for their incredible efforts in planning and delivering this high-profile activity safely and successfully,” said Steve Mack, A13 Project Director at Kier, The three other new bridges will be installed before the existing bridges are demolished to ensure that roads and communities remain connected at all times.
AFC Bournemouth have put all major construction packages out to tender for its new multi-million pound training complex. This comes after the revised plans for the development were approved by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, subject to Secretary of State referral. The £20 million project will see the former Canford Magna Golf Club site transformed into a state-of-the-art facility which will bring the club’s first team, development squad, academy and pre-academy training operations and facilities into one location. The centre will offer first-class facilities, including ten full-size pitches, three junior pitches, an indoor artificial playing surface, an outdoor artificial playing surface, state-of-the-art medical, fitness, sports science and rehabilitation facilities, administrative space and a press conference theatre. The existing building structures on the site have been demolished, while land levelling of the former golf course is due to commence later this month. AFC Bournemouth chief executive, Neill Blake, said: “I am delighted that Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council has approved our amended plans for the training complex at Canford Magna. “This is a development which will be state-of-the-art in its design and facilities, while remaining sympathetic to the green belt land it is situated on. “It is a hugely important scheme, as it will help continue the club’s progression at the highest level of football, which will in turn have a positive effect on the region as a whole. “This is an incredibly exciting time for the club, both on and off the pitch.”
Sheffield City Council has built on the success of its ‘The Building Block’ programme with the launch of a new construction learning hub. The initiative was introduced in the city due its shortage of construction workers, with more than 85 people now successfully moving into full time construction work in six months. Former hairdresser Ellie credits the learning hub for helping her spark a new career in bricklaying. “I wasn’t challenged enough as a hairdresser and I was speaking to my partner one evening who told me about a training course his boss was supporting alongside Sheffield City Council, The Building Block,” she said. “I looked into it and thought immediately how great an opportunity this was to start a new career. “I loved attending the hub; everyone on the course was in the same situation as me, looking to get started in a new career and so we all bonded over that. I was learning new skills every day and I felt a huge sense of satisfaction knowing I was getting closer to my goal of becoming a bricklayer. “I’m now fortunate enough to work as a bricklayer full time! I started with work experience on a new housing development at Manor Boot; my employers were so impressed with my work ethic I was inundated with offers of employment. “I now really enjoy coming to work every day and I can’t envisage myself doing anything else.” This programme forms part of the £22 million Construction Skills Fund (CSF), which has organisations the opportunity to create 26 learning ‘hubs’ across the country, with the aim of training more than 13,000 people to be ready for employment in the construction industry by March 2020. The hubs provide life-changing opportunities to start a career in construction, with particular focus on the long-term unemployed, career changers and unrepresented groups. The Building Block programme aims to train up to 650 people with an expected 250 individuals moving into sustained employment by 31 March 2020. Steve Radley, Policy Director of the Construction Industry Training Board, commented: “Sheffield City Council has an ambitious plan to supply the city with 10,000 new homes over the next 10 years, and to successfully achieve that target it is crucial that new talent is recruited into the local construction industry. “We’ve seen a fantastic response from local employers as they continue to recruit from the Building Block learning hub. We look forward to seeing further trainees placed in full time employment and helping to further regenerate the city of Sheffield.”
A collection of three office buildings along Bristol’s waterfront have been sold in a deal worth £27.75 million. Legal & General’s UK Property Fund purchased the Quayside Bristol properties from DAS and ERGO. This deal follows the recent acquisition of the Iron self-storage portfolio, its landmark self-storage deal as the Fund continues to diversify its holdings and recycle its capital into more operational and alternative assets. Situated in the established office location of Temple Quarter, the Quayside buildings are just a short walk from Temple Meads station, an increasingly important draw to occupiers. “This is an excellent buy for the Fund. The Bristol office market is currently undersupplied and has strong rental growth prospects as a result of this undersupply. The building also benefits from flexible floor plates which are in demand in the City. The combination of these strong property fundamentals and good micro-location will make this a strong performing asset for our investors as we refurbish and upgrade them over time. We have recently undertaken a similar exercise at The Landing in Redcliff Quay and have been very pleased with the level of tenant interest for modern, stylish, well connected assets in attractive city centre settings,” commented Matt Jarvis, Senior Fund Manager of the UK Property Fund at Legal & General.
Costain has named its first ever chief digital officer. Nathan Marsh will take on the role, leading the accelerated implementation of Costain’s commercial digital strategy, with responsibility for the delivery of Group-wide digital services enhancing the solutions to its clients. He will also take up a position as a member of Costain’s Executive board. With over 20 years’ experience working in digital transformation, Mr Marsh has held roles at SNC Lavalin, McKinsey & Co, EY and AON. Commenting on the appointment, Alex Vaughan, CEO said: “Ensuring that every service we offer is digitally optimised, and that we offer our clients new solutions founded on the application of digital technology is core to our new Leading Edge strategy which is why we have appointed our first chief digital officer. Nathan’s key industry relationships and experience of enabling digital capabilities across the UK’s critical nature infrastructure will ensure Costain shapes the future adoption of digital solutions and supports our clients in the implementation of this transition.” Nathan Marsh, chief digital officer, added: “I am incredibly excited at becoming Costain’s first ever CDO. Our sector is undergoing a wholesale digital transformation and it’s fantastic to see progressive industry leaders like Costain invest in and prioritise digital. I’m looking forward to helping our people and our clients leverage the full benefits of digital connectivity, designing, building and operating infrastructure for the future.”
The UN Climate Neutral Now initiative is making waves across the world with the first UK architectural practice officially committing to the scheme. Assael Architecture has signed up to calculate and disclose the current carbon footprint of the practice, including international air travel, and show a clear pathway to reducing it year on year. “Climate change is here and it’s now. The effects and implications of our carbon emissions are clear to see, with many parts of the world already feeling the full force of climate breakdown. And as the social tide begins to change in support for more radical climate action, it’s our duty as a business to set an example to our staff and the communities we operate within. We want our clients to know that our activities will not contribute to their carbon footprint and that sustainability is embedded into everything we do as a practice, including design, and not bolted on as an afterthought,” said Rory O’Hagan, director of Assael Architecture. “By making the UN Climate Neutral pledge, we are committed to being a Net-Zero Carbon organisation now, not in the future. As a practice, we understand the urgency of action required to tackle climate breakdown and will continue to push ahead of the UK’s legislated targets, providing a clear path for other businesses to follow.” The current carbon emissions of the practice are then offset financially using UN certified emission reductions (CERs), where Assael Architecture can choose specific projects to support. The offsetting project that Assael has pledged to support through the CERs programme is the creation of a hydroelectric power station in Chile, South America. “Climate action is urgent. We are facing a civilization-ending threat. If we are going to succeed against this challenge, we need to incorporate sustainability into everything we do. That includes the design of the buildings we live in, the public spaces that we use and any other built environment. That is why we are glad to have Assael Architecture joining the Climate Neutral Now initiative. We invite them and every other designer around the world, regardless of their field of expertise, to prepare their proposals with full consideration to the climate and sustainability requirements to help our society succeed,” added Niclas Svenningsen, Manager, Global Climate Action, UN Climate Change.
A deal has been reached for a £29 million secondary school in Barry, South Wales. Contractor Morgan Sindall has signed on to deliver the project, which will feature space for 1,100 pupils. The new build will replace the existing Whitmore High School, which currently supports 905 pupils. The current school will remain open for the duration of the construction period, before being demolished. Teaching space will be spread across three storeys, with 70 general classrooms and two drama and activity studios encompassed within the 11,000 metre square site. An inclusive ALN suite will also serve to support students with additional learning needs. Sporting facilities are provided through both indoor and outdoor spaces, with an all-weather pitch and multi-use games court. A central courtyard has been designated for used for group learning and informal use. There will also be a state-of-the-art music studio, an art learning resource centre, multi-functional hall with retractable seating, and large dining area. Vale of Glamorgan Council appointed Morgan Sindall through the South East and Mid Wales Collaborative Construction Framework (SEWSCAP), as part of Wales’ 21st Century Schools Programme for investment in education deal. Rob Williams, area director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “This project represents a significant investment in the education offer for people in Barry and one we’re well placed to deliver. Morgan Sindall Construction is one of the most active school-builders across Wales. We have a track record of designing and building modern, inspirational teaching environments, fit for 21st century education and relish briefs like this. “By using the SEWSCAP framework, Vale of Glamorgan Council has benefited from an efficient and reliable procurement process, reducing the time from planning to delivery considerably.” Work will start on the site in autumn 2019 and is expected to complete by spring 2022.
A deal has been reached with national contractor BAM to deliver a major scheme at Guy’s Hospital in London. The firm will work with Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust to deliver four brand new cancer wards on the third and fourth floors of Bermondsey Wing. Based on AHR designs, these works will involve stripping out parts of Bermondsey Wing to its shell, and building several new en-suite wards, with the teenage and young adult ward being the first phase. Other new facilities will include nursing areas, offices and a gym. BAM will also carry out extensive mechanical, electrical and pipework upgrades under the £10 million contract. This project sees BAM return to Guy’s Hospital, where it has delivered eight projects since 1949. “Our main challenge is going to be working around the live hospital environment. That means very close liaison and developing high quality working relationships. One member of our current team even worked on our scheme here nearly 30 years ago so we have a good understanding of the building. Upgrading ventilation, heating and lighting services in a hospital is complex and we have our own in house specialists to deliver this which represents a big reduction in risk because we don’t have to rely on others,” said Rod Stiles, BAM’s London Director. “Of course, everything has changed since 1949. Just as medicine and healthcare has moved on in leaps and bounds, construction is unrecognisable, being much cleaner, much safer and we build using sophisticated design software, robotics, and virtual reality techniques. Our people have diverse careers and are treated so much better. “Our long history makes us the oldest major contractor in London – there are a very few older firms but none were major players at the time we began trading. That makes it special for us to re-engage with a customer as renowned as Guy’s and St Thomas’ and to celebrate 70 years with a fresh scheme to help people in London recover to live healthier lives,” he added. The new cancer wards at Guy’s Hospital are scheduled to complete in 2021.
Unblocktober, the world’s first awareness month aimed at protecting the UK’s sewers and seas, is launching this week – and it’s not too late for businesses and individual householders to join the thousands who are already involved in this groundbreaking initiative. Having launched on October 1st, the campaign aims to fight plastic pollution and fatbergs by encouraging people across the country to make small changes to their waste disposal habits in their kitchens and bathrooms for the whole month, helping them establish new routines that will be better for their drains and for the environment as a whole. Data from Lanes Group plc shows that at present, 48% of British people admit to pouring fats, oils and grease (FOG) down their drains, with the resulting blockages doing significant damage to the UK’s waterways. Additionally, an estimated eight million tonnes of plastic are dumped in the ocean every year – often in the form of wet wipes, which contain hidden plastic content that makes them unsuitable to flush down the toilet. Over 1,500 participants – a combination of individuals and organisations – have signed up to tackle these trends. Lanes Group, the creators of Unblocktober, are urging those who are still interested to join these numbers by signing up to take part this week. The campaign has been backed by the national Love Water initiative, which includes over 40 organisations and is jointly spearheaded by the Environment Agency and Water UK. It is also officially supported by leading industry organisations such as Thames Water, Southern Water, Yorkshire Water, The Future Water Association, The Rivers Trust, United Utilities and many more. To take part in Unblocktober, participants must ensure they are putting none of the following items down their drains or toilets throughout the month of October: Cooking oil – pre or post-cooking Margarine Butter Lard Cooking sauces and condiments Food – even crumbs! Anything containing plastic, including: Wet wipes Tampons, applicators and wrappers Sanitary/menstrual pads and towels Nappies Condoms Cotton buds Contact lenses Bandages and plasters Razor blades Dental floss Michelle Ringland from Unblocktober said: “It’s hard not to be aware of the environmental challenges facing the planet at the moment – and yet many remain oblivious to the damage that carelessly flushing non-biodegradable items down the drain can cause. “In many cases, this is simply due to a lack of education or awareness, which is why we’re so keen for individuals and businesses to get involved with Unblocktober. By making this small commitment to improving your habits for a month, we’re hopeful that participants can lay the foundation for lasting change that will make a big difference to the environment. “By getting as many people as possible signed up to take part in Unblocktober from October 1st onwards, we’ll be able to show that Britain is serious about protecting our sewers and seas for generations to come.”
Willmott Dixon has secured its second Queen’s Award for Enterprise for sustainable development. Willmott Dixon’s sustainable achievements include: reducing carbon emissions relative to turnover by 59 per cent since 2010; cutting construction waste intensity by 57% since 2012: and being carbon neutral for the sixth year running. HM The Queen’s representative for Hertfordshire visited the company’s head office in Letchworth Garden City to deliver the accolade. This recognises the firm’s commitment to reduce the environmental impact of its own activities and those of its supply chain. This latest recognition by the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise follows a first award in 2014 for sustainable development, and an accolade for Promoting Opportunity in 2018. To mark the Queen’s Awards hat trick, the Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire presented a scroll to Willmott Dixon chief executive Rick Willmott with a message from HM The Queen. The company’s chief executive, Rick Willmott said: “This week’s UN Climate Action Summit was a timely reminder of the urgent action needed to tackle the affects we are seeing of global warming. The last four years were the four hottest on record, and the impacts of climate change are being felt everywhere with real consequences on people’s lives. “As well as action taken by nation states to influence how we reverse the rise in carbon emissions to safeguard future generations from the issues that come with climate change, business too needs to play a part. That’s why we will continue to invest and lead in new ways to become more sustainable and reduce our environmental footprint over and above our current status of being a carbon neutral company. Today’s presentation of our third Queen’s Award for Enterprise will act as a further catalyst for how we set ourselves even more challenging science-based carbon targets, which will place us on a trajectory to be a zero emissions – or even carbon positive – business by 2050.”