Construction is restarting on the £500 million 100 Kensington development in West London after developer SevenCapital stepped in to take direct control of the project following the administration of main contractor Ardmore. SevenCapital has confirmed that Seven Capital (Woodrow) Ltd, an existing group company incorporated in 2016, is now acting
Short-term economic easing indicates construction sector recovery still on track for 2027 Today, Glenigan | A Hubexo Product (Glenigan), one of the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, releases the August 2026 edition of its Construction Review. The August Review focuses on the three months to the end of July 2026,
Railpen, manager of the UK’s around £36bn railways pension scheme, has started construction works at South Mimms X, a 122,820 sq ft exceptionally well-connected logistics and industrial development. With completion targeted for Spring 2027, it will be the latest addition to Railpen’s growing industrial portfolio, which comprises state-of-the-art, prime Grade
The Local Plan is a guide to development and growth in the city over the next fifteen years and Manchester people are invited to have their say for the final time yesterday. The Plan is a legal requirement for every Council to set out a long-term framework about how development
McLaughlin & Harvey has been appointed by the Education Authority as the main construction contractor on the phase 1 expansion of specialist SEN provision at Rathore School, enabling much needed facilities for children in the Newry, Mourne and Down area. The scheme, which is being delivered in three stages, is
Willmott Dixon has secured planning permission for the near £50 million redevelopment of Bramhall High School in Stockport, paving the way for construction of a new three-storey secondary school to replace the existing RAAC-affected campus. Construction is expected to begin in January 2027, with the replacement school being built alongside
Lovell Partnerships is preparing to start construction on the first phase of a major residential regeneration scheme in Horsham, transforming the former Novartis Pharmaceuticals campus into a new neighbourhood of around 450 homes. Work is expected to begin in October on Lovell’s 206-home development across the 2.72-hectare site, with the
A full planning application for the scheme to transform Piccadilly Gardens has been submitted. The submission – the latest landmark in delivering the proposals to make Piccadilly Gardens more colourful, more vibrant, safer and more inviting – follows public consultation on the plans earlier this summer. Subject to planning permission being granted this autumn, work to
Southeastern services have resumed, once again, at Charing Cross and Waterloo East after a 22-day closure for essential engineering work at the central London terminus. During the closure, engineers replaced almost two kilometres of 36-year-old track and the switches and crossings, the moveable rails that allow trains to switch paths,
Industry initiative will help individuals gain recognised accreditation and begin or progress a career in demolition The National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC), in partnership with the National Demolition Training Group (NDTG), is offering 60 fully funded CCDO Labourer Card pathway places to eligible individuals seeking to start or progress
Construction is restarting on the £500 million 100 Kensington development in West London after developer SevenCapital stepped in to take direct control of the project following the administration of main contractor Ardmore. SevenCapital has confirmed that Seven Capital (Woodrow) Ltd, an existing group company incorporated in 2016, is now acting as main contractor on the major West Cromwell Road scheme, allowing work to resume following a temporary halt caused by Ardmore’s collapse. The 1.7-hectare mixed-use development will deliver 462 homes across seven buildings, comprising 276 private and 186 affordable properties alongside new leisure, retail, office and community space. A new senior construction management team has been established to oversee delivery under SevenCapital Chief Operating Officer James Moody, working alongside the developer’s construction director and existing site management team. SevenCapital expects activity to ramp up significantly over the coming months, with more than 500 construction workers anticipated to be back on site by the autumn. The developer said it had been aware of financial difficulties facing Ardmore and had developed a contingency strategy to protect the delivery of the scheme in the event of the contractor entering administration. Moody said: “We had previously been aware of some of the financial issues facing Ardmore, which allowed us the time to develop a solid contingency plan to secure the completion of 100 Kensington should the effective administration happen, and at the same time diversify and extend SevenCapital’s capabilities for future schemes.” Existing development finance remains in place through Maslow Capital, which originally provided a £258 million four-year facility for the joint venture between SevenCapital and MARK Capital Management. The project has already passed the 30% completion milestone, with construction progressing across one of the most significant residential developments currently underway in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. At the heart of the scheme will be Oria, a 29-storey residential tower containing 129 private apartments and penthouses. SevenCapital is targeting an October topping-out for the tower as the wider construction programme gathers pace once again. The architectural masterplan for 100 Kensington has been produced by John McAslan & Partners, with Corstorphine & Wright responsible for the detailed design. Alongside its residential element, the combination of commercial, leisure and community uses will create a substantial new mixed-use destination on West Cromwell Road, with affordable housing representing a significant part of the overall development. The decision to bring construction delivery under a SevenCapital group company provides the developer with greater direct control over the remaining programme while limiting disruption following Ardmore’s administration. Phased completions are expected to begin during the fourth quarter of 2027, with the entire development currently scheduled for completion towards the end of 2027 or beginning of 2028. With work restarting and the existing funding package remaining in place, the focus will now turn to rebuilding site activity and maintaining momentum towards the October topping-out of Oria and subsequent phased delivery of the wider 100 Kensington development. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Short-term economic easing indicates construction sector recovery still on track for 2027 Today, Glenigan | A Hubexo Product (Glenigan), one of the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, releases the August 2026 edition of its Construction Review. The August Review focuses on the three months to the end of July 2026, covering all major (>£100m) and underlying (<£100m) projects, with all underlying figures seasonally adjusted. It’s a report providing a detailed and comprehensive analysis of year-on-year construction data, giving built environment professionals a unique insight into sector performance over the past year. Glenigan’s August Construction Review reveals a few rays of sunshine poking through an otherwise overcast industry landscape. It will provide some much-needed optimism to a sector that has been battling an extraordinary set of headwinds since the start of the year. A massive jump in Main Contract Awards, which rose 17% against the preceding three months, and soared a staggering 169% compared to 2025, is perhaps the strongest indicator that market confidence is returning. This can, in part be attributed to an activity spike in major projects, particularly in the healthcare, where various schemes in the New Hospital Programme reached the contract awarded stage. This includes the Leighton Hospital scheme, the Frimley Park Hospital as well as various others. Similarly, if somewhat more modestly, Detailed Planning Approvals picked up by 10% during the Review period and, despite dipping 3% year-on-year, this modest rise compared to the previous month indicates the pipeline is gradually refilling. It certainly offers a tentative sign that recovery, if not immediate, is on the horizon, echoing Glenigan’s own Forecast prediction of an 11% sector-wide performance increase in 2027. The refreshingly positive stats in the August Review can be largely credited to substantial gains in a number of commercial verticals, particularly Hotel & Leisure, as well as an acceleration of activity in both public sector and civils. However, before contractors and subcontractors get dazzled by these strong figures, it appears that intent is yet to properly translate into activity. Project starts are still stubbornly stagnant as the appetite to commit shovel to soil remains subdued, against a backdrop of lukewarm investor confidence and renewed uncertainty around public spending. This resulted in a 7% drop against the previous three months. Yet, whilst activity remains low, there are signals that a long period of decline is starting to bottom out, with levels breaking even (0%) compared to 2025. Looking at the results, Allan Wilen, Glenigan’s Economics Director, says, “There are plenty of reasons for readers to be cheerful when going through the August Review, especially following such a tumultuous and unpredictable six-months. Whilst a degree of uncertainty persists, labour and material costs are stabilising. Industry prospects appear to be turning a corner, but, before we get too excited, these green shoots are fragile and, as we’ve seen before, could wither away on the merest market change.” He continues, “the construction supply chain should stay mindful that the recovery will be shaped by wider economic conditions, investor confidence and public sector spending priorities. Remember, in spite of the excellent Main Contract Awards and Planning Approval figures, conversions into actual starts remains the litmus test of the sector’s performance over the back end of the year.” Taking a closer look at vertical highlights… Residential: Housebuilding slips as social housing steadies the ship Residential had a bruising three months, with project starts sliding 39% year-on-year even as main contract awards jumped 60% and detailed planning approvals eased back 22%. Private Housing bore the brunt, tumbling 52% to £2,434m despite holding a 40% share of the sector, while Private Apartments dipped 23% to £1,630m and Social Sector Housing softened 27% to £821m. The awards uplift hints at work waiting in the wings, though the sharp fall in starts underlines the ongoing pressure on near-term workloads. Regionally, London held top spot with starts worth £1,250m, even after a 16% dip. The North West proved the steadiest performer, barely moving at £962m with just a 1% decline. Elsewhere the picture soured, project starts in the South West, West Midlands and Wales all declined sharply against the previous year. However, Wales offered a rare bright spot, posting strong growth in planning approvals that points to a healthier pipeline further down the line. Private non-residential: Offices and hotels shine while industrial cools Private non-residential was a real mixed bag. Offices held firm, with starts dipping just 3% but approvals climbing 54% on the back of a buoyant mid-market: the £20-50m band rose 18% to £627m and the £50-100m band leapt 80% to £361m. Hotel & Leisure told a similar tale, with main contract awards rocketing 787% and approvals up 56%, even though starts eased at 17%. Industrial had a tougher time, with starts down 43%, though a 147% surge in approvals signals a pipeline gathering pace. Retail stayed muted, with starts off 16% but awards up 72%. Regionally, London ruled office activity, with value soaring 30% to £1,531m. The East of England led Industrial starts, up 218% to £465m, while Yorkshire & the Humber topped Hotel & Leisure at £178m and Scotland jumped 177% to £123m. The North West led Retail, climbing 223% to £50m, with Yorkshire & the Humber and Northern Ireland also enjoying strong runs against the previous year. Public sector: Health leads the charge as schools await their moment The public sector offers plenty of cheer. Health stole the show, with starts up 32%, awards rocketing 634% and approvals climbing 65%, buoyed by the New Hospital Programme and NHS capital commitments. Hospitals made up more than half of starts, rising 75%, while Nursing Homes & Hospices climbed 44%. Community & Amenity also impressed on paper, with awards up 182% and approvals up 95% despite starts falling 34%, led by blue light projects and a 466% surge in military work. Education was the odd one out, with starts down 44%, though a 204% jump in awards and the Schools Rebuilding Programme point to brighter days ahead. Regionally, the South East led Health starts
Railpen, manager of the UK’s around £36bn railways pension scheme, has started construction works at South Mimms X, a 122,820 sq ft exceptionally well-connected logistics and industrial development. With completion targeted for Spring 2027, it will be the latest addition to Railpen’s growing industrial portfolio, which comprises state-of-the-art, prime Grade A industrial and logistics facilities located strategically around the M25. Located at the intersection of the A1(M) and M25, adjacent to South Mimms Services, South Mimms X marks Railpen’s latest milestone in its investment into the logistics and industrial sector, developed in partnership with Wrenbridge. Positioned just 14.5 miles from central London, the 122,820 sq ft scheme will offer a market-leading specification in an unrivalled location, incorporating a 68m secure gated yard. Designed to target a wide range of operators, the facility will also feature 13 dock loading doors, two Euro dock doors, and two level access doors. It will be well-positioned to support the transition to EV fleets, with 18 active EV charging spaces, alongside 98 car parking spaces. Sustainability is embedded throughout the design, which is targeting net-zero carbon, as well as BREEAM Outstanding and EPC A+ ratings. The scheme will also deliver 2.5 acres of landscaped amenity space, achieving a 30% biodiversity net gain through features including on-site wildlife boxes and an urban orchard. Once complete, the scheme will benefit from the adjacent high-quality, people-focused amenities to support occupier wellbeing and productivity. Alastair Dawson, UK Industrial Sector Lead at Railpen, commented: “South Mimms X reflects Railpen’s ongoing commitment to producing best-in-class developments that support local economies and enhance surrounding communities. The site is exceptionally well located on the M25, with access to the entirety of Greater London within 90 minutes. With well-connected, high-quality industrial space in increasingly short supply, this scheme has been designed to stand out. Building on our established track record and Wrenbridge’s extensive expertise, South Mimms X is well placed to set a new benchmark for logistics in the South East.” Will Jarman, Associate Director at Wrenbridge, added: “Railpen’s X portfolio is becoming a clear example in the industrial and logistics sector of how a landlord can demonstrate ongoing commitment to delivering best-in-class facilities, and one that goes above and beyond the wants, needs, and expectations of occupiers and their employees. There is a clear demand for accessible industrial space in this location, and it is great to be partnering with Railpen once again to deliver another high-quality scheme.” South Mimms X is just one of the many assets included in Railpen’s property portfolio, which currently has over 3 million sq ft of space under construction or with planning consent, with a forecast construction cost in excess of £500 million by the end of 2030. The development will join Railpen’s expanding ‘X’ branded portfolio of industrial sites, alongside Dartford X, Waltham X and High Wycombe X. Each development is strategically located and designed to meet occupier demand for best-in-class, highly sustainable industrial space. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Local Plan is a guide to development and growth in the city over the next fifteen years and Manchester people are invited to have their say for the final time yesterday. The Plan is a legal requirement for every Council to set out a long-term framework about how development should be considered through the planning process, including new housing – as well as affordable homes – green spaces, development that creates employment opportunities, infrastructure projects such as roads, health facilities and schools – and how the city will achieve net zero carbon. The Plan complements a range of strategies and policies that look to deliver the vision of the Council. An initial consultation took place in September 2025 starting a process of review and engagement through the last year. This consultation attracted 2,184 responses that have since been considered by planning officers to help update the draft local plan. The Local Plan is currently going through Regulation 19, which is the final version of the plan before it is referred to a government inspector for public examination. The public will be asked for their comments relating to how ‘workable’ the draft plan is in practice, which is a requirement set out by Government. This ‘test of soundness’ asks the public: does the plan meet its objectives. Key changes to the draft local plan following previous consultation: Take part in the Local Plan consultation Local people, community organisations, businesses and stakeholders can take part in the consultation, submitting their views online via an online platform and all details are available on the following council web page A hard copy of the consultation will also be made available in Manchester Central Library. The consultation will remain open until Monday 28 Sept. The previous Manchester Local Plan was adopted in 2012. The current review was delayed while the Greater Manchester Places for Everyone plan was adopted, into which the Manchester Plan must align. Following consultation, the final draft of Manchester’s Local Plan will be submitted to a government inspector with an expectation that the plan will be adopted in the summer of 2027. Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and regeneration, said: “It’s important that future development plays its part well in making sure Manchester remains a great place to live, with great homes that our residents can afford in attractive neighbourhoods that they want to live in with quality green spaces nearby. This is the role of the Local Plan – to help guide development to help us deliver our vision and ambition. “The Local Plan will complement a range of other strategies delivering for our city, in particular our housing strategy that has set an ambitious target to deliver at least 36,000 new homes by 2032 – 10,000 of which will be social, Council and genuinely affordable homes. And the Local Plan looks to increase the target of social rent and affordable homes each year to deliver the homes our residents need. “Last year we saw thousands of responses that have helped guide our Local Plan review. This is the final chance for Manchester people to comment on the updated draft local plan, and we’d encourage as many people as possible to take part of play their part in guiding development in our city.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
McLaughlin & Harvey has been appointed by the Education Authority as the main construction contractor on the phase 1 expansion of specialist SEN provision at Rathore School, enabling much needed facilities for children in the Newry, Mourne and Down area. The scheme, which is being delivered in three stages, is the first construction project in Northern Ireland for the Antrim based firm since the completion of the new distillery at Bushmills in 2021. This first phase of the project will see current and future pupils at Rathore SEN School will benefit from nine new classroom facilities with additional outdoor play areas, car parking and outdoor landscaping, ensuring the school meets the growing needs of the SEN community in the Newry Mourne and Down area. The project is well underway, with the scheme making use of modern methods of construction to minimise disruption to existing staff and pupils, including off-site fabrication of 1,300m2 of classroom and ancillary rooms. Completion is expected by the end of December 2026, with the new facilities ready to receive pupils from August 2027 onwards following further fit out by Rathore School. Gavin Parkinson, Operations Director at McLaughlin & Harvey said: “Our experience working on public sector construction and infrastructure projects across the whole of the UK means we’re ideally placed to deliver a project as important and sensitive as the one at Rathore School. We understand that the need for SEN school facilities across Northern Ireland is a pressing issue, and our approach to modern methods of construction will enable smooth delivery, ensuring classrooms are ready to meet the needs of young people in the area.” “Although our civils team has continued to thrive in Northern Ireland, we’re extremely proud to see our construction team back on site for a Northern Irish project.” Dale Hanna, EA Chief Operations Officer, said: “This project will make a real difference for children and young people with SEN and their families, giving them access to modern, purpose-built accommodation designed around their needs. “EA will continue to consider every available option to increase capacity and support children and young people to access appropriate SEN provision as close as possible to their local community. “This investment forms part of EA’s wider capital programme to expand SEN provision across Northern Ireland and support children and young people now and in the years ahead.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Willmott Dixon has secured planning permission for the near £50 million redevelopment of Bramhall High School in Stockport, paving the way for construction of a new three-storey secondary school to replace the existing RAAC-affected campus. Construction is expected to begin in January 2027, with the replacement school being built alongside the existing facilities to allow teaching to continue while the major redevelopment progresses. Designed by Sheppard Robson, the new school will accommodate 1,350 pupils on the existing 36-acre site off Seal Road. The project will consolidate the current sprawling school estate into a modern purpose-built teaching environment, while addressing problems associated with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) within the existing buildings. Once the new building has been completed, most of the existing school estate will be demolished, although the newer maths block will be retained and incorporated into the future campus. The replacement school will include 25 general classrooms and 10 science laboratories alongside specialist teaching facilities for drama, computing, ICT, art and design. Five dedicated SEND classrooms will also be provided, together with an assembly hall featuring tiered seating, dining facilities, a library and new staff and support accommodation. Sport will form another major part of the redevelopment. Indoor facilities will include a four-court sports hall, activity studio and changing accommodation, significantly improving the school’s provision for pupils and physical education. Externally, the plans include two replacement multi-use games areas and a new 3G sports pitch, while the existing hockey pitch will be retained. The phased construction strategy will be particularly important to the delivery of the project, allowing the existing school to remain operational while Willmott Dixon builds the replacement accommodation elsewhere on the site. The subsequent demolition and external works will then enable the wider campus to be reorganised around the new building. The project forms part of the continuing programme of investment required across the education estate following the discovery of RAAC in school buildings around the country. With planning now secured, the Bramhall High School redevelopment moves a significant step closer to construction, delivering modern teaching, SEND and sports facilities while replacing ageing and RAAC-affected accommodation with a more consolidated school campus for 1,350 pupils. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Lovell Partnerships is preparing to start construction on the first phase of a major residential regeneration scheme in Horsham, transforming the former Novartis Pharmaceuticals campus into a new neighbourhood of around 450 homes. Work is expected to begin in October on Lovell’s 206-home development across the 2.72-hectare site, with the scheme combining new-build houses and apartments with the sensitive conversion of the site’s landmark 1930s Art Deco clock tower building. Designed by architect Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt, the development will retain the locally listed tower as the architectural centrepiece of the new neighbourhood, preserving an important part of the site’s pharmaceutical and industrial heritage. Around 35% of the 206 homes within the first phase will be affordable. The existing multi-storey wings positioned either side of the clock tower will be demolished due to significant structural problems and replaced by new five-storey apartment buildings. The retained Art Deco building itself will be converted to provide 51 apartments, with a further 155 new apartments and townhouses constructed across the site. The masterplan has been designed with a varied building scale to help integrate the development into the surrounding area. Heights will begin with two-storey homes along Parsonage Road before increasing to three-storey properties around a new central boulevard and landscaped public square. The main retained building will rise to four storeys with a set-back upper level, while the existing 24m-high clock tower will remain the tallest and most prominent feature of the development. Public realm and landscaping will also play an important role in the regeneration. A new tree-lined boulevard will run through the neighbourhood towards landscaped space in front of the restored Art Deco building, helping to establish the clock tower as a focal point for the wider scheme. Lovell’s development represents the first phase of the planned transformation of the former pharmaceuticals campus. Muse is progressing proposals for the eastern section of the site, which would add a further 244 homes and take the overall development to approximately 450 properties. All 244 homes proposed within the Muse phase are planned as affordable housing, supported by grant funding from Homes England. A separate planning application for this element of the regeneration is expected to be submitted. With Lovell preparing to move onto site in October, the redevelopment will mark the beginning of a significant new chapter for the former Novartis campus, combining heritage-led regeneration, new housing and affordable homes with landscaped public spaces to create a new residential neighbourhood in Horsham. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A full planning application for the scheme to transform Piccadilly Gardens has been submitted. The submission – the latest landmark in delivering the proposals to make Piccadilly Gardens more colourful, more vibrant, safer and more inviting – follows public consultation on the plans earlier this summer. Subject to planning permission being granted this autumn, work to make the plans a reality will begin as soon as possible. Public consultation on the detailed design built on previous extensive consultation about what people wanted from Piccadilly Gardens and included drop-in sessions and an online questionnaire. Hundreds responded and were broadly supportive of the plans, with more than half (58%) believing they will provide a safe and welcoming new space, 67% saying they provided clear walking routes and almost three-quarters (70%) saying they would create a greener and more colourful space. Concerns were raised by some about anti-social behaviour and how the transformed Piccadilly Gardens will be kept inviting. The Council and its partners, including Greater Manchester Police and Transport for Greater Manchester, recognise that creating a better Piccadilly Gardens cannot just be about physical improvements but will also require new ways of managing the space to ensure it is maintained as a safe and inviting space. Work to develop this new way of managing the space is ongoing and improvements are already underway, including a strengthened police presence through GMP’s dedicated neighbourhood policing team. In addition to the main consultation, a series of listening and engagement sessions were also carried out with parents and children around the refreshed children’s play area to ensure it reflects their aspirations. New images of how the children’s play area will look have been released as part of the wider application. Key elements of the application include: The plans will also support a safer space through improved sightlines, better lighting and enhanced CCTV. Interim Council Leader Cllr Garry Bridges said: “The moment has arrived when we’re ready to submit our planning application to transform Piccadilly Gardens. It’s taken a lot of work to get to this significant point. “Residents have told us loud and clear what they want from Piccadilly Gardens. They want the area to look better and feel safer and that’s exactly what we’re going to deliver. “There has already been significant investment in the area – including extra police and council resources – with even more on the way. “This application will see a much-improved space: Putting the Gardens back in Piccadilly Gardens, providing a better children’s play area and supporting a more inviting place all round.” The application reference is PLA-2026-001348 viewable at: https://arcusbe.manchester.gov.uk/pr/s/detail/a1DSl000009RsaD Once the physical works are completed, the Council aims to ensure a regular stream of bespoke family-friendly activity and seasonal events to enjoy. The new scheme will complement other changes taking place in the immediate vicinity of the Gardens, including the major Rylands redevelopment (of the Grade II-listed former Debenhams building) which is creating a new office, retail and leisure destination, and the recently-approved plans to refurbish and improve One Piccadilly Gardens . Further planned improvements to the area around Piccadilly Gardens in the coming years will include a multi-million pound investment by Transport for Greater Manchester to create a new, modern transport interchange. In March this year Galliford Try were appointed as lead contractor, working with landscape architect and lead designer Planit and civil, structural and highways engineers Civic to deliver the Piccadilly Gardens transformation. City of Manchester Chief Inspector Mike Tachauer said: “We welcome the next phase of the planning application for the new-look Piccadilly Gardens. Senior officers have been involved in consultations from the outset to ensure there is a strong policing input into these plans. Piccadilly Gardens is a space that everyone should feel safe and secure when travelling in and around the area. Our officers have ensured that elements pertaining to public safety have been one of the key focuses in the planning process including better lighting and more CCTV. “We have had several experienced police officers who have strong experience around policing Piccadilly Gardens who have given an input to these plans, and there are a number of elements we have learnt from, for example, understanding how planters can be misused by those involved in criminality and how we can deter this from happening. “There is also cross organisational understanding that the safety of the Gardens is a multi-agency partnership that we all need to be involved in to ensure everyone is doing their bit to keep our communities safe.” Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: “These exciting plans for Piccadilly Gardens will bring vast improvements for everyone who passes through it and for the numerous businesses who operate in the vicinity. The Bee Network is already transforming how people move around Greater Manchester and we are developing plans with the local community for a modern transport interchange linking buses, Metrolink and active travel that will help create a city centre that is greener, better connected and welcoming for everyone.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Southeastern services have resumed, once again, at Charing Cross and Waterloo East after a 22-day closure for essential engineering work at the central London terminus. During the closure, engineers replaced almost two kilometres of 36-year-old track and the switches and crossings, the moveable rails that allow trains to switch paths, south of Hungerford Bridge. They also renewed the wheel timbers, the equivalent of sleepers when going over bridges, and completed structural repairs to sections of the Hungerford bridge’s steelwork before repainting it. Teams made full use of this once-in-a-generation closure to rebuild sections of platform at Charing Cross, removing 540 tonnes of concrete and installing more than 2,000m2 of glass-reinforced plastic. Working across all six platforms at once, they demolished sections, installed new steelwork and laid new surfaces. With Waterloo East closed, teams took the opportunity to complete work that could not be carried out safely while trains and passengers were using the station. They cleaned, treated and repainted the footbridge steelwork to protect it from the weather, and replaced window panels with self-cleaning glass that brings more light into the passageways and can be opened to improve ventilation. Network Rail and Southeastern, working together as the integrated South Eastern Railway, spent 18 months planning the closure and combined these essential renewals into one 22-day programme. The work will help keep the railway fit for decades to come, support a safer, better and more reliable railway at lower cost to taxpayers, and improve the customer experience at these central London stations. Completing the work in one extended summer holiday closure, when commuter numbers are around 20% lower, reduced overall disruption. This lowered delivery costs and gave passengers the benefits of the improvements sooner with the alternative options being 60 weekend closures or four separate nine-day closures. Scott Brightwell, Safety, Planning and Performance Director, South Eastern Railway, said: “We are pleased to have reopened the line between Charing Cross and London Bridge after 22 days of intensive work. “We know closing two of London’s busiest stations for more than three weeks caused inconvenience for many customers, I am sorry for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience. Completing this essential work in one 22-day closure, rather than over 60 weekends, allowed us to carry out station improvement works that would, otherwise, have been impossible to achieve.” “Our teams replaced track and platforms dating back to 1990s, completed essential structural repairs to Hungerford Bridge (over the Thames) and Waterloo East station improvements. “Thank you to customers for bearing with us whilst we complete the works and thank you to the hundreds of colleagues who worked 24/7 through the high temperatures.” Liz Baldwin, Southern Integrated Delivery Director, Southern Renewals Enterprise, said: “The successful completion of the Charing Cross and Waterloo East closure is one of the most significant achievements delivered by Southern Renewals Enterprise to date. It demonstrates the power of the Enterprise model, bringing together colleagues from across the SRE, Network Rail, Southeastern and our Ecosystem supply chain partners to safely deliver a huge volume of work in a single coordinated programme. “I would like to thank everyone involved for their professionalism, teamwork and dedication, particularly those who worked around the clock in extremely challenging temperatures. I’d also like to thank our passengers and local communities for their patience and understanding while these vital upgrades were carried out.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Industry initiative will help individuals gain recognised accreditation and begin or progress a career in demolition The National Federation of Demolition Contractors (NFDC), in partnership with the National Demolition Training Group (NDTG), is offering 60 fully funded CCDO Labourer Card pathway places to eligible individuals seeking to start or progress a career in the demolition industry. The initiative has been created to remove some of the financial barriers that can prevent people from accessing industry-recognised training and employment opportunities. The campaign is part of the NFDC’s wider commitment to supporting the demolition sector, strengthening its workforce and encouraging more people to become appropriately trained and qualified. Each funded pathway includes both the CCDO Labourer training course and Asbestos Awareness training, providing successful learners with the qualifications required to apply for a CCDO Labourer Card. Before attending the training, applicants must have passed the required Operative Health, Safety and Environment test. Candidates are encouraged to complete the appropriate test through CITB or NOCN. Applicants must also be able to understand, communicate and read English to the level required to participate safely and successfully in the training. Courses will take place during September, October and November 2026 and will be delivered either live online or at the NDTG training centre in Hemel Hempstead. Adrian Corrigan, President of the NFDC, said: “Supporting people into demolition and helping them gain recognised industry accreditation is an important part of our role as a Federation. “This initiative is about creating opportunities, supporting the future workforce and helping more people enter the industry with the knowledge and qualifications they need to work safely and responsibly. “Demolition offers a wide range of long-term career opportunities, and we hope these funded places will provide a valuable first step for people who may not otherwise have been able to access the training.” Whether applicants are considering a completely new career or are already working in construction and want to develop specialist demolition skills, the opportunity offers a chance to join one of the built environment’s most dynamic and highly skilled sectors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals