Premier Technical Services Group has expanded its lightning protection operations with the acquisition of Earth Tech LPS Ltd, strengthening its presence in the Scottish market. PTSG provides a wide range of specialist building compliance and safety services across the UK, including lightning protection testing and inspection. The group already describes
As Rangeford Villages continues to expand its award-winning retirement villages for the over 60s, the company has appointed a new Head of Construction to support its ongoing growth. Mark Hurdley will play an important role in leading development while ensuring the highest standards of quality are maintained. He will focus
More than 1,600 UK businesses filed for administration in 2025 – a 5% decrease compared to last year – according to analysis by full-service law firm Shakespeare Martineau. However, the figure (1,631) remains 22% higher than in 2022, signalling that UK companies are still facing significant pressures despite some signs
Laura Stone, COO at Greencore Homes, comments: “The Government’s ambition to invest £13 billion in creating ‘zero bill’ homes represents a significant opportunity to improve comfort, cut energy costs and accelerate progress towards Net Zero. Retrofitting existing properties to achieve this can be complex, disruptive and expensive. Technologies such as
Bluebay Building Products, one of the UK’s leading independent distributors of specialist civil engineering and construction products, has appointed Mark West as Operations Director. With a wealth of industry experience gained through leadership roles at Topps Tiles, Eurocell and Homebase, Mark will play a central role in Bluebay’s ISO 9001
Ten new store lettings, including FRASERS, occupying a combined total of 88,063 sq. ft, plus five lease renewals totalling 12,634 sq. ft and three store refreshes, concluded 2025 on a position of strength Overgate, Dundee concluded 2025 as a transformative year for the centre, the city, and indeed the region.
Developer-backed plans to significantly expand Leeds United’s Elland Road stadium are set to move into construction this summer after securing planning approval from Leeds City Council. Councillors have given the green light to proposals that will increase the stadium’s capacity to up to 53,000, reinforcing Elland Road’s status as one
Developer-led estate expansion plans at Greggs are set to continue at pace, with the food-to-go operator targeting 120 net new store openings during 2026. The growth follows a busy 2025, during which Greggs opened 207 new shops, averaging almost four openings per week. That programme included 50 relocations and 36
Developer Muse has been selected as preferred development partner to lead one of the UK’s largest city-centre regeneration programmes, taking a central role in shaping the future of Bristol Temple Quarter. Muse Places will drive the delivery of up to 10,000 new homes alongside major commercial development, new public realm
The construction of one of the most complicated parts of the HS2 project took a step forward over the Christmas break, as Balfour Beatty VINCI completed two key viaduct spans over the existing railway near Water Orton in Warwickshire. The spans form a small part of the Delta junction –
Premier Technical Services Group has expanded its lightning protection operations with the acquisition of Earth Tech LPS Ltd, strengthening its presence in the Scottish market. PTSG provides a wide range of specialist building compliance and safety services across the UK, including lightning protection testing and inspection. The group already describes itself as the UK’s largest provider in this sector, and the latest acquisition is aimed at building greater scale and density in a key growth region. Earth Tech LPS, headquartered near Edinburgh, was founded more than 25 years ago and delivers testing and inspection services to a diverse client base spanning public sector estates, infrastructure assets and commercial property. Its operations are supported by long-term maintenance contracts, providing recurring work and established customer relationships. Lightning protection services sit within PTSG’s Electrical Services division, which is overseen by managing director Mark Mitchell. Following the acquisition, Earth Tech LPS will be integrated into PTSG’s existing lightning protection testing and inspection team. The business will continue to be led operationally by director Craig Finney, who has managed this area of activity for more than 15 years. The former owners of Earth Tech LPS will also remain with the business for a handover and integration period to ensure continuity for clients and staff. Paul Teasdale, co-founder and chairman of PTSG, said the acquisition represents a high-quality addition to the group’s operations. He said Earth Tech LPS brings strong technical capability, a skilled engineering workforce and a loyal customer base that complement PTSG’s existing lightning protection services. Teasdale added that Scotland is a strategically important market for the group and that the deal enhances operational leverage while supporting continued organic growth. Chief executive Greg Ward said the group’s approach to acquisitions is centred on continuity, integration and long-term value creation. He said PTSG is looking forward to welcoming the Earth Tech LPS team and continuing to strengthen what it sees as the UK’s leading lightning protection testing and inspection platform. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As Rangeford Villages continues to expand its award-winning retirement villages for the over 60s, the company has appointed a new Head of Construction to support its ongoing growth. Mark Hurdley will play an important role in leading development while ensuring the highest standards of quality are maintained. He will focus on enhancing design management and improving the overall customer experience across the entire portfolio. Rangeford Villages remains committed to delivering outstanding residences and thoughtfully designed villages to create vibrant, supportive communities, consistently putting its owners at the heart of everything it does. As the expansion continues, with several new villages set to open, Mark Hurdley brings a seasoned construction and development leadership background, with more than 30 years of experience delivering landmark projects across multiple sectors. Combining strategic vision with operational excellence to achieve award-winning results, Mark has managed budgets ranging from £10 million to over £250 million, overseen full project lifecycles, and led multidisciplinary teams to deliver nationally recognised schemes. Mark prides himself on his collaborative leadership style, whilst driving improvements in design management, customer experience, safety leadership and quality. Committed to innovation and sustainability, Mark continues to shape developments that set new benchmarks for quality and performance, an approach he now brings to Rangeford Villages, making him an ideal fit for the role during this significant period of growth. Speaking about his new appointment, Mark expresses; “I’m thrilled to be joining Rangeford at such a pivotal moment in its journey. As the business expands its impressive portfolio, I look forward to collaborating with the award-winning team to create more beautiful and inspiring retirement villages that continue to empower owners to sustain an active and independent lifestyle.” Mark will play a key role in supporting the company’s continued growth, overseeing construction delivery, leading project teams, and working closely with the Executive Team to uphold the highest standards and enhance project performance across existing Rangeford Villages, and those currently in development. “We are delighted to welcome Mark to Rangeford Villages at a key time for the business,” said Ryan Fairbairn, Managing Director at Rangeford Developments. “Mark brings a wealth of experience in delivering high-quality residential and mixed-use developments, and his expertise will be instrumental as we continue to grow our construction capability and deliver exceptional retirement living communities. His appointment reinforces our commitment to quality, sustainability and excellence across every stage of our developments.” Offering contemporary, integrated retirement communities, Rangeford Villages provide beautiful residences designed with the needs of those aged 60 and over in mind, promoting independent living and a high-quality lifestyle. The villages’ award-winning portfolio features Wadswick Green, Homewood Grove, Mickle Hill, Siddington Park, and the newest addition, Strawberry Fields, which opened this year in the Cambridgeshire countryside. Communal facilities may include swimming pools, sauna, steam room, gym, spa, hair salon, as well as a village greenspace with croquet, boules, putting lawns and outdoor dining areas. Each village prioritises wellness and access to leisure, social, and recreational activities for their owners and the wider community. For those who need it, the village’s domiciliary care agency ‘Rangeford Care’ offers 24/7 in-house support through tailored packages. With events held throughout the year, each village fosters welcoming, friendly communities that residents and the wider public can enjoy, making Rangeford Villages an integrated part of the local area. Interested buyers can visit www.rangefordvillages.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
More than 1,600 UK businesses filed for administration in 2025 – a 5% decrease compared to last year – according to analysis by full-service law firm Shakespeare Martineau. However, the figure (1,631) remains 22% higher than in 2022, signalling that UK companies are still facing significant pressures despite some signs of economic stabilisation. Notably, retail filings surged by 24%, rising from 237 in 2024 to 293 in 2025, making it the hardest-hit sector by a clear margin, according to data from The Gazette Official Public Record. Greater London remained the region with the most business failures, recording 390 administrations in 2025, compared with 393 in 2024. Andy Taylor, partner and head of restructuring at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “While the year-on-year drop in administrations is worthy of note, the overall picture for business remains challenging. “With 1,631 appointments being made, we are still seeing more businesses enter administration than in 2021 and 2022, and distress remains widespread across multiple sectors and regions.” Along with retail, hospitality, manufacturing, real estate and construction were the worst-hit sectors, collectively accounting for 56% of all administrations. All sectors, apart from retail, saw a slight decline in filings compared to last year. Andy said: “The retail sector remains under significant pressure. Despite a slight easing of inflation and interest rates, consumers remain cautious and price-sensitive. Footfall continues to lag and many businesses have not been able to adapt to the new retail landscape. “The drop in filings in hospitality, manufacturing, real estate and construction could be the result of earlier failures having already removed the weakest operators. It may also reflect a slowdown in activity, with firms putting investment and hiring decisions on hold due to continued uncertainty.” Geographically, Greater London filings fell 1% (393 to 390). The North West increased by 15% to 286, along with the South East by 11% to 207. Yorkshire and the Humber (121) and the West Midlands (120) made up the rest of the top five. Andy said: “While Greater London continues to record the highest number of administrations, the regional picture is becoming more mixed. “The increases in the North West and South East suggest that financial distress is spreading beyond the capital, particularly in areas with high concentrations of consumer-facing and industrial businesses. “This underlines that the challenges facing companies are not confined to one region and that pressures remain widespread across the UK economy.” Despite an overall drop in administration volumes, Andy warned businesses not to be complacent. He said: “These figures, while worthy of note, do not detract from the fact that the trading environment for many businesses remains highly challenging. Many companies are surviving through short-term fixes, but without sustained growth, improved consumer confidence and better access to funding, there are still choppy waters to navigate. “Geopolitical uncertainty, post-election policy shifts, energy costs, the aftermath of the recent budget, and continued weak economic growth are still creating an unpredictable environment for business. Firms must remain agile and, above all, proactive. “Our advice remains unchanged – seek expert help early. The sooner directors act, the more tools are available to protect the business and find a viable path forward.” Businesses filing for administration in 2025 By sector Total By region Total Administrative 17 British Isles 4 Agriculture 8 East Midlands 93 Arts and entertainment 53 East of England 112 Automotive/transportation 87 Greater London 390 Construction 143 North East 57 Education 31 North West 286 Engineering 45 Northern Ireland 31 Financial 100 Scotland 67 Health and social 116 South East 207 Hospitality 169 South West 113 Information and communication 75 Wales 30 Manufacturing 164 West Midlands 120 Mining and quarrying 2 Yorkshire & The Humber 121 Others 2 Professional services 71 Public admin and defence 10 Real estate 147 Retail 293 Utilities 98 Total 1,631 Total 1,631 Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Laura Stone, COO at Greencore Homes, comments: “The Government’s ambition to invest £13 billion in creating ‘zero bill’ homes represents a significant opportunity to improve comfort, cut energy costs and accelerate progress towards Net Zero. Retrofitting existing properties to achieve this can be complex, disruptive and expensive. Technologies such as heat pumps and solar panels can only truly reduce bills when the home itself is sufficiently insulated and airtight. “That’s why future-proofing new homes from the outset matters. Designing new homes properly now is far more cost-effective and far less disruptive than trying to fix performance issues later down the line. Long-term energy performance, not short-term compliance, is what ultimately protects households and ensures public investment delivers real value for the long-term. “Action must go beyond retrofitting technologies alone and focus much more on building energy-efficient, future-proofed homes from the very start of construction. When homes are designed with high levels of insulation, natural materials and integrated renewables, zero energy bills become achievable without the need for costly upgrades. “At Greencore Homes, we’re proving that our homes can deliver EPC A performance, low running costs and comfort from day one. Our homes are built to Passivhaus standards using natural, non-toxic materials to ensure superior insulation, airtightness and comfort. Standard features include triple-glazed windows, air source heat pumps, optimised solar PV panels and EV charging points, reducing bills and carbon while giving people homes that are healthier and more comfortable to live in. Warm homes should be treated as critical national infrastructure – every year of delay is a missed opportunity to improve living standards, strengthen energy security and accelerate the UK’s progress towards net zero.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bluebay Building Products, one of the UK’s leading independent distributors of specialist civil engineering and construction products, has appointed Mark West as Operations Director. With a wealth of industry experience gained through leadership roles at Topps Tiles, Eurocell and Homebase, Mark will play a central role in Bluebay’s ISO 9001 implementation, as well as streamlining business processes. His appointment comes in a pivotal year for Bluebay, following its acquisition by Wolseley Group in January 2025. Since then, the company has forged new partnerships with global suppliers and expanded its team – including its senior leadership with Mark joining Managing Director Lucy Furnival, Sales Director Emma Ward, and Finance Director Mark Siney at the helm. Managing Director Lucy Furnival explained: “Mark’s appointment is an exciting step forward for Bluebay as we embark on a time of significant growth. “His operational insight and project management expertise will be invaluable, while his collaborative and forward-thinking approach will complement the strengths of our senior management team. As we build the foundations for the next chapter at Bluebay, we are delighted to welcome him to the team.” Mark’s initial six-month secondment will see him move from Burdens, Bluebay’s sister company which specialises in underground drainage and heavy construction products; he adds: “I’m really pleased to be joining Bluebay. “Over the next six months, my focus will be on creating greater consistency and clarity across our operations – building a framework that drives efficiency and supports long-term growth. “It’s the ideal time to take on this role as we prepare for a wave of recruitment to strengthen our workforce and support future expansion. I’m looking forward to working closely with Lucy and the rest of the team to help turn the company’s ambitions into reality.” Bluebay, which was founded in South Wales in 2003, has positioned itself as a go-to destination for delivering innovative new products to the UK construction market, a reputation further solidified by this latest appointment. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ten new store lettings, including FRASERS, occupying a combined total of 88,063 sq. ft, plus five lease renewals totalling 12,634 sq. ft and three store refreshes, concluded 2025 on a position of strength Overgate, Dundee concluded 2025 as a transformative year for the centre, the city, and indeed the region. Since Frasers Group acquired Overgate in March 2023, a remarkable retail regeneration has been taking place across the 440,000 sq. ft centre which is located in the heart of Dundee, Scotland’s fourth largest city. Underpinning this has been an exciting and fast-paced tranche of leasing activity: ten new store openings occupying a combined total of 88,063 sq. ft, five lease renewals totalling 12,634 sq. ft, and three major store refreshes in the last year alone. As 2025 concluded, the early results from this scale of investment in Overgate by Frasers Group, in line with the Group’s Elevation Strategy, can be guided by sales and footfall. The percentage uplift in sales for 2025 was over 30%. Tenant occupancy is sitting at 90% as of December 2025. Commenting, Matt Elgey, Director, Sovereign Centros from CBRE says: “We are pleased to be entering 2026 on a positive note for Overgate. Ten new store openings, including FRASERS, occupying an impressive combined total of 88,063 sq. ft have been delivered in 2025. A further five lease renewals totalling 12,634 sq. ft, as well as three key store refreshes, concluded the year on a position of strength for the centre. “Since the acquisition of Overgate by Frasers Group in 2023 the momentum underpinning these improvements has been conducted at pace. Sovereign Centros from CBRE is proud to be delivering on the ambitious and exciting vision Frasers Group has set out for such an important Scottish asset as Overgate. These positive end of year results demonstrate the hard work Sovereign Centros has deployed in unlocking opportunities for Frasers Group across what was a very busy 12 months. Our focused commitment in securing new quality lease signings, as well as delivering a tranche of lease renewals, ensures Overgate is ready to embrace 2026 with a greatly expanded retailer offering and a stronger competitive advantage.” Anchoring 2025 was the opening of FRASERS in June – one of the largest shop fit-outs Dundee has ever seen, revitalising Overgate and creating over 80 new jobs. The 60,000 sq. ft FRASERS has brought a fresh vibrancy to the centre and an expertly curated selection of leading brands across sports, premium fashion and beauty. Spanning three floors, the FRASERS store also houses Sports Direct, USC, and GAME. Augmenting the dynamic new retail offering which FRASERS launched in June, the opening of an impressive new 5,000 sq. ft. FLANNELS store at the beginning of December 2025 – housing highly desirable luxury and contemporary brands – is enhancing the appeal of Overgate as an aspirational shopping hotspot. Earlier in 2025, in May and June, two of the most recognisable names in style arrived at Overgate: Clarks and Mango. Currently celebrating its 200th anniversary, iconic British heritage brand Clarks opened a new 2,160 sq. ft. store in May, with the brand’s distinctive footwear proving to be a popular addition to the centre. Swiftly following in June was the arrival of one of Europe’s leading fashion groups; Mango. Located within a prime site on the ground floor of Overgate, the store spans over 3,987 sq. ft and stocks exclusively Mango Woman. It is one of the first in Scotland to feature the group’s new Mediterranean-inspired concept, New Med. Far from the approaching year end being a time for retail operational pause and review, September and November 2025 saw a fresh charge of momentum with the opening of a further two new stores: Clintons and Nomination. Bringing a brand-new look and shopping experience, Clintons opened a 1,844 sq. ft store in September. In November, Nomination, the personalised jewellery brand which enjoys a huge cult following worldwide, opened a new 1,385 sq. ft store. Additionally, new openings in 2025 by Menkind, Bee Inspired, and Oud Studio have occupied a combined 3,948 sq. ft. Lease renewals are a particularly notable touchpoint in Overgate’s story of success with five renewals in 2025 including Ernest & Jones, Flying Tiger, and Fuel amongst others, occupying a combined total of 12,634 sq. ft. Elsewhere, investment by tenants both through store extensions and also refurbishments, is evident across Overgate. Superdrug, the UK’s leading health and beauty retailer, has increased its store footprint by over 35% from 7,125 sq. ft to 9,739 sq. ft, and introduced a range of new offerings including Beauty Studios, luxury fragrance counters, a nurse clinic, and an enhanced pharmacy. Likewise, Next has refurbished its store into a brighter environment with every area of the store given a fresh treatment. Holland & Barrett has radically transformed its store to reflect a slick aesthetic within which its expanded, high quality product range is now showcased, whilst Primark – a perennially popular anchor of Overgate – has introduced a new Click & Collect and a new Self Service as part of its refurbishment. Topping the year off for Overgate was two International Green Apple Environment Award wins. Presented by The Green Organisation – the non-profit organisation established 30 years ago to promote environmental stewardship worldwide – these two awards are in recognition of Overgate’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and excellence in environmental practice. A Highly Commended recognition as Security Team of the Year has also recently been accorded to Overgate by the SCEPTRE Awards. And in keeping with Overgate’s longstanding support of local charities and the communities they serve, the centre’s Christmas Toy Appeal 2025 on behalf of Help for Kids saw public contributions exceeding £10,000 in donations. Finally, the Overgate Santa’s Grotto remained free in 2025 and open to all, with over 1,500 books given away to children. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developer-backed plans to significantly expand Leeds United’s Elland Road stadium are set to move into construction this summer after securing planning approval from Leeds City Council. Councillors have given the green light to proposals that will increase the stadium’s capacity to up to 53,000, reinforcing Elland Road’s status as one of the largest football grounds in the country. The redevelopment will transform the historic venue into a UEFA Category 4 stadium, capable of hosting major international fixtures and showcase events. The scheme includes the partial demolition and rebuild of the West and North stands, alongside targeted alterations to the South Stand. Together, the works are designed to modernise the stadium while enhancing fan comfort, improving sightlines and upgrading matchday facilities both inside and around the ground. Enabling works are due to begin immediately, with major construction scheduled to follow the conclusion of the current season. The project will be delivered in two phases, with the West Stand being constructed first. Crucially, Leeds United will continue to play home matches at Elland Road throughout the redevelopment. The club said careful phasing of the works will ensure the stadium remains fully operational, preserving the atmosphere and acoustics that the ground is known for. The redevelopment has been designed by specialist sports architecture practice KSS, working alongside structural engineer Buro Happold. Project management will be led by RISE, while the Lowy Family Group is acting as development partner for the wider regeneration of the Elland Road area. Beyond the stadium itself, the project is being positioned as a catalyst for broader regeneration, supporting long-term investment, improved infrastructure and new opportunities around the site. Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe said securing planning permission marked a landmark moment for the club. He said the expansion reflects a long-term commitment to Leeds United’s future, supporting ambitions to establish the club in the Premier League and continue progressing in the years ahead. With approvals now in place, the Elland Road redevelopment is set to become one of the most significant stadium projects currently underway in English football. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developer-led estate expansion plans at Greggs are set to continue at pace, with the food-to-go operator targeting 120 net new store openings during 2026. The growth follows a busy 2025, during which Greggs opened 207 new shops, averaging almost four openings per week. That programme included 50 relocations and 36 closures, resulting in a net increase of 121 stores over the year. As of 27 December, the business operated a total of 2,739 outlets across the UK, made up of 2,137 company-managed stores and 602 franchised locations. Greggs said its expansion strategy remains focused on improving coverage in under-served catchments while relocating existing shops from constrained sites to better-positioned locations that can support higher footfall and longer-term growth. The store rollout is supported by continued investment in supply chain capacity, which is expected to come on stream during 2026. Greggs said these upgrades are key to unlocking further expansion while maintaining operational efficiency across its growing estate. The update comes alongside the release of the company’s fourth-quarter trading figures for 2025, which showed sales growth of 7.4% over the period. For the full year, total sales reached £2.151bn, representing an increase of 6.8% compared with 2024. Chief executive Roisin Currie said the business made solid progress during a challenging trading environment, noting that subdued consumer confidence continued to affect the wider food-to-go market. She added that Greggs had outperformed the sector and increased its share of customer visits. Looking ahead, Currie said the company enters 2026 with a strong pipeline of new opportunities that will make Greggs even more convenient for customers. She highlighted continued focus on efficiency and value, particularly for consumers managing household budgets, as a core driver of the brand’s ongoing expansion. With estate growth and infrastructure investment moving forward in tandem, Greggs is positioning itself for another year of sustained rollout across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Developer Muse has been selected as preferred development partner to lead one of the UK’s largest city-centre regeneration programmes, taking a central role in shaping the future of Bristol Temple Quarter. Muse Places will drive the delivery of up to 10,000 new homes alongside major commercial development, new public realm and significant transport upgrades centred around Bristol’s main rail hub. The appointment places Muse at the heart of a long-term regeneration strategy designed to transform a key gateway into the city. The developer will initially focus on Temple Meads West, an area comprising a series of publicly owned sites immediately adjacent to Bristol Temple Meads station. These include land at the Friary, the City Point building and multi-storey car park at Temple Gate, Lower Station Approach and the Portwall Lane car park. Muse is expected to begin work on an outline planning application for Temple Meads West, with submission targeted for early 2027. Alongside this, Muse will support BTQ LLP in developing longer-term proposals for St Philip’s Marsh. The area represents one of the largest remaining brownfield regeneration opportunities in central Bristol and forms a key component of the wider 135-hectare Temple Quarter programme. Bristol Temple Quarter is being brought forward through a partnership between Homes England, Bristol City Council and the West of England Combined Authority. BTQ LLP said Muse was selected for its strong regeneration credentials and proven delivery record, citing major schemes in Salford, Plymouth and London, as well as its long-standing involvement in Bristol through the Wapping Wharf development. The appointment comes as momentum continues to build across Temple Quarter, supported by substantial public investment already under way. Construction is progressing on a new £23m eastern entrance to Bristol Temple Meads, funded through a £95m government grant, and due to open in September 2026 alongside the University of Bristol’s £500m Enterprise Campus. Further transport improvements are also advancing. BTQ LLP secured a resolution to grant planning permission for the Southern Gateway transport hub late last year, with a contractor expected to be appointed imminently and works scheduled to begin on site this summer. With Muse now in place as preferred partner, the Temple Quarter regeneration is set to enter a critical new phase, laying the foundations for one of the most ambitious urban renewal programmes in the country. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The construction of one of the most complicated parts of the HS2 project took a step forward over the Christmas break, as Balfour Beatty VINCI completed two key viaduct spans over the existing railway near Water Orton in Warwickshire. The spans form a small part of the Delta junction – a huge triangular intersection being built to the east of Birmingham for the new high-speed railway. Like the nearby Spaghetti Junction, it is formed of a complex series of interconnected viaducts, taking the high-speed line over motorways, local roads, existing railways, rivers and floodplains. It is designed to carry HS2 services to and from Birmingham, as well as connecting to the mainline heading north and south. To maintain speeds of 360km/h on the mainline and around 200km/h on the approaches to Birmingham, the junction is stretched out over a far larger area than a motorway junction, with 2.6 miles of track, including underpasses, flyovers and five major viaducts. The Water Orton viaducts are at the northern end of the junction and will allow southbound trains to join the spur into Birmingham Curzon Street and the rolling stock depot at Washwood Heath. Engineers working for Balfour Beatty VINCI used a five-day closure over the quieter Christmas period to safely complete the two parallel spans over the existing Birmingham to Peterborough railway line. With the railway crossing complete, the team can move on to the next sections of the viaducts over the nearby A446 road and the M42 motorway next year. Stephane Ciccolini, Senior Works Manager at Balfour Beatty VINCI, said: “This complex section of the HS2 route has taken a major step forward, after Balfour Beatty VINCI teams successfully erected two viaducts spans over an existing railway near Water Orton. “We’ve worked around the clock during the Christmas period to deliver this incredible feat of engineering, using a specialist cantilever technique not seen in the UK before this project. This approach involves using a 22-metre-high mast and a 14-metre-high swivel crane to move each individual segment into place until the span is complete.” Sam Hinkley, HS2 Ltd’s Senior Project Manager said: “It’s great to see the Water Orton viaducts in place across the railway and I’d like to thank everyone who gave up their Christmas to help us reach this important milestone and I’d like to thank passengers for their patience. “These precast segmental viaducts form a key part of the Delta junction – one of the most complex parts of the HS2 project and I look forward to seeing more progress in the year ahead.” Once complete, the two single-track Water Orton viaducts will stretch for around 1.4km across two railways, a river, local roads and the M42. The viaducts are made of pre-cast concrete segments that are installed using a huge cantilever process. Once each span is in place, the permanent post-tensioned cables are installed in the hollow centre of the viaduct allowing the temporary cables stays to be moved forward to support the assembly of the next span. The same process is repeated between each pier until all the spans are complete. The 32 concrete piers that support the Water Orton viaducts are up to 20m tall and cast in situ using bespoke formwork and reinforcing cages manufactured at nearby Coleshill. The Water Orton viaducts form part of 3.7 miles worth of viaduct across Delta junction which are being built using this approach. All 2,742 concrete segments needed for the viaducts are being manufactured at a temporary factory at nearby Lea Marston. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals