Balfour Beatty today announces that it has been appointed by Hub South East to deliver two new primary schools, valued at £43 million, in East Lothian, Scotland. Balfour Beatty will be responsible for the design and construction of the two new primary schools, located in Craighall and Blindwells, which will
In the realm of design, one cannot underestimate the significance of artwork. It possesses the ability to infuse life and character into any space, elevating it from ordinary to extraordinary. While there is an abundance of choices when it comes to selecting art for your walls, custom wall art stands
Landsec has acquired a 92% stake in Liverpool ONE, one of the UK’s leading retail and leisure destinations, for a total of £490 million. The deal was struck with a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), which held a 69% share, and Grosvenor, which owned 23%. Of the
We will be sharing, news, reviews and features in the New Year Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Glenigan’s December Review indicates a pick-up in momentum as economic certainty starts to return Yesterday, Glenigan, one of the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, releases the December 2024 edition of its Construction Review. This Review focuses on the three months to the end of November 2024, covering all major
BOOSTING regional regeneration efforts, work has commenced on the redevelopment of previously derelict railway arches in Greater Manchester, which will be transformed into new destinations for food and drink, leisure and retail businesses. The arches on Norton Street, Salford, are located in Greengate, an area of the city currently experiencing
Plans for a new £25 million rail station in West Yorkshire are making significant progress, with completion expected by late 2026. Survey work is currently underway to finalise detailed designs for the long-awaited Elland Rail Station. Contractor Keltbray Infrastructure Services Limited is aiming to complete the final stages of development
With Christmas fast approaching, staff, contacts and friends of the Cruden Group have come together to gather much-needed donations for local communities in Scotland. For the fourth year, the award-winning housebuilder has been encouraging those across its central belt operations to spread some joy by gifting food items and cash
Bouygues UK, the lead contractor for the first phase of Westminster City Council’s flagship Ebury Bridge regeneration scheme, has completed and handed over the project. This significant milestone marks the delivery of 226 new homes, including 100 high-quality council homes, 16 returning leasehold homes, and 110 homes for market sale.
A team of 90 specialist engineers have completed the assembly of HS2’s giant tunnel boring machine (TBM) which will start digging the second bore of the 3.5 mile Bromford Tunnel into Birmingham next year. In an assembly operation to move sections of the machine into a 12-metre deep launch pit,
Balfour Beatty today announces that it has been appointed by Hub South East to deliver two new primary schools, valued at £43 million, in East Lothian, Scotland. Balfour Beatty will be responsible for the design and construction of the two new primary schools, located in Craighall and Blindwells, which will house state-of-the-art, modern teaching facilities and learning spaces for over 840 students. The primary schools are required to meet demand from ongoing and planned house building in the local area, and on completion, will support East Lothian Council’s vision to develop a modern, safe, sustainable learning estate that enhances and supports communities whilst improving the lives of families. The primary schools will be constructed using Passivhaus principles – a quality assurance process for the design and construction of low energy buildings – and will utilise high-performance windows and doors as well as mechanical ventilation with heat recovery to reduce carbon emissions, improve indoor air quality and reduce energy demand and heating bills. In addition, as part of its commitment to leaving a lasting, positive legacy in the communities in which it operates, Balfour Beatty has committed to provide at least 20 employment opportunities for local people, as well as deliver a number of employability workshops, including drone and virtual reality sessions, at nearby schools and colleges. Hector MacAulay MBE, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s regional construction business in Scotland, said: “This latest contract award is testament to our expertise and experience in delivering high-quality, sustainable educational facilities in Scotland and our proven track record of giving back to local communities. “We look forward to working closely and collaboratively alongside Hub South East and East Lothian Council, to successfully deliver these new schools which will provide an exciting and inspirational learning environment for hundreds of children.” Construction is due to commence next month with completion expected in 2025. At construction peak, Balfour Beatty will employ 200 people with 5% of its workforce made up of apprentices, graduates and trainees to support its commitment to The 5% Club. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In the realm of design, one cannot underestimate the significance of artwork. It possesses the ability to infuse life and character into any space, elevating it from ordinary to extraordinary. While there is an abundance of choices when it comes to selecting art for your walls, custom wall art stands out as a design option that leaves an impression. In this post, we will delve into the impact of wall art on interiors, exploring its advantages and why numerous designers and homeowners are gravitating towards specially tailored artwork. Uniqueness Tailored to You One of the benefits of print on demand wall art lies in its ability to provide personalization. When you opt for a piece specifically created for your space, you are curating an atmosphere that reflects your taste and style. By collaborating with an artist or designer to craft artwork, you have control over aspects such as color palettes, themes, and even specific elements you desire to incorporate. Moreover, personalized artwork not only serves as an expression of your personality but also offers a sense of exclusivity. Custom wall art has become increasingly popular in both homes and commercial spaces. While generic prints are common, opting for custom pieces allows you to showcase your vision and stand out from the crowd. Enhancing the Aesthetics The impact of custom artwork on aesthetics is undeniable. Instead of settling for mass-produced pieces, tailored artwork can elevate the appeal of any interior. Whether it’s adding colors to bring energy or creating an atmosphere with muted tones, customized art can perfectly complement existing decor or become the focal point that ties everything together. Furthermore, artists who create bespoke artwork consider factors like scale and composition to ensure their work seamlessly fits within a given space. This results in an integration between the art and its surroundings, effectively enhancing aesthetics. Creating Conversation Starters One of the advantages of having custom artwork on your walls is that it creates conversation starters. Intriguing compositions, thought-provoking messages, or creative use of materials can engage viewers. Just picture guests walking into your home or clients entering your office being greeted by bespoke artwork—it immediately sparks their curiosity and opens up opportunities for meaningful dialogue. Moreover, when you have the ability to share the story behind the creation of artwork you can bring an added layer of depth and intrigue to your living space. Supporting Local Artists Choosing custom wall art is not about personalization and aesthetics but about supporting local artists. By collaborating with artists in your community or independent creatives, you contribute to their growth and sustainability as craftsmen. Custom commissions not only provide artists with an avenue for expression but also offer them valuable exposure. This mutual support fosters relationships between designers, homeowners, and artists—a fusion of creativity within the local community. Maximizing Versatility: Custom Wall Art in Design Styles Custom wall art possesses the versatility to adapt flawlessly to diverse design styles. Whether your space embodies minimalism, classic elegance, or eclectic uniqueness, tailor-made artwork can seamlessly integrate into any aesthetic. In spaces characterized by lines and a focus on simplicity, custom wall art can serve as a striking focal point. The utilization of geometric designs in colors adds visual interest and injects personality into minimalist interiors. For those who appreciate timeless sophistication, custom wall art offers the opportunity to create a sense of elegance. When it comes to design, incorporating wall art that reflects motifs and techniques can add a touch of elegance. By using details and rich textures, it complements furniture and fabrics, creating captivating spaces that leave a lasting impression. In conclusion, wall art holds importance in design. Customized wall art takes this concept to another level by offering personalization options. It enhances aesthetics, sparks conversations, and supports artists. These unique benefits make custom artwork a worthwhile investment for anyone seeking to add character and exclusivity to their homes or commercial spaces. So why settle for the ordinary when you can embrace the impact of customized wall art in your interiors today?
Landsec has acquired a 92% stake in Liverpool ONE, one of the UK’s leading retail and leisure destinations, for a total of £490 million. The deal was struck with a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), which held a 69% share, and Grosvenor, which owned 23%. Of the total purchase price, £35 million due to ADIA has been deferred for two years. This acquisition aligns with Landsec’s strategy of focusing on major retail destinations. The company has recycled £464 million from non-core sales earlier this year to fund the purchase. With Liverpool ONE added to its portfolio, Landsec now owns and manages seven of the UK’s top 30 shopping centres. Opened in 2008, Liverpool ONE is a flagship destination offering a mix of retail, dining, and leisure experiences. Attracting an annual footfall of 22 million people, the centre has demonstrated strong performance, with retail sales rising by 5% in the past year. New leases have been signed at 10% above estimated rental values, while relettings and renewals are achieving 5% above previous rents. The centre maintains a robust occupancy rate of 96%. Landsec is set to assume full management of Liverpool ONE from Grosvenor in February 2025. Mark Allan, CEO of Landsec, commented:“The top 1% of the UK’s shopping destinations capture 30% of all in-store retail spend, which is why we’re seeing brands prioritise fewer but larger stores in the best locations. Liverpool ONE is a top-ten destination with an excellent return profile, and its addition strengthens our unique portfolio of seven top-30 centres in the UK. We’re excited to build on Liverpool ONE’s success with our operating platform and help drive its future growth.” James Raynor, CEO of Grosvenor Property UK, added:“Liverpool ONE is a phenomenal destination and a testament to what long-term investment and partnership can achieve. Over the past 25 years, it’s become one of the UK’s most successful retail and leisure hubs. Under Landsec’s unified ownership and management, we’re confident it will continue to thrive. “We plan to reinvest the proceeds into our core portfolio, including a 10-year investment programme in London and our residential debt business, which has already supported the delivery of 3,370 homes in two years.” In a statement last month, Landsec reiterated its confidence in the retail sector, citing “most attractive” returns in retail and its intention to further deploy capital into this space. This acquisition solidifies Landsec’s position as a major player in the UK’s retail landscape, with Liverpool ONE set to play a pivotal role in its growth strategy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
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Glenigan’s December Review indicates a pick-up in momentum as economic certainty starts to return Yesterday, Glenigan, one of the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, releases the December 2024 edition of its Construction Review. This Review focuses on the three months to the end of November 2024, covering all major (>£100m) and underlying (<100m) projects, with all underlying figures seasonally adjusted. It’s a report which provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of year-on-year construction data, giving built environment professionals a unique insight into sector performance over the last 12 months. The latest data paints a generally positive picture. Project-starts and main contract awards showed promising year-on-year growth, highlighting returning socioeconomic stability after an extended period of market uncertainty. However, tempering these activity boosts, detailed planning approvals suffered a significant decline, indicating that persistent cost pressures and dented industry confidence continue to hinder sector-wide revival. Commenting on the December Review, Allan Wilen, Economic Director at Glenigan, says “There’s definitely work to be done and the latest figures show glimmers of recovery, with modest growth in project-starts and contract awards offering a degree of optimism. The Autumn Statement and some of the immediate actions taken by the Government to kickstart building in some verticals, particularly housebuilding will have helped. However, the sharp decline in detailed planning approvals highlights investors will be keeping their powder dry until more stability returns to the market, inspiring the confidence needed to turn on the development pipeline tap. “In line with our Forecast predictions, H.1 2025 will unlikely see significant growth, however, H.2 will likely see a sudden spurt, following the Government’s Spring Spending Review and sector-specific strategic announcements. A sustained focus on public infrastructure, health, and housing projects will be critical to driving recovery in 2025 and beyond. The industry will be watching closely to see how these fiscal policies and investment commitments translate into on-the-ground activity.” Underlying Sector Analysis – Residential The Review period was relatively stable for residential construction, with project-starts falling 1% against the preceding three months to stand 6% lower than a year ago. Private housing construction-starts were largely responsible for the decline, falling by 3% against the preceding three months and by 1% compared with last year. However, this was balanced out by social housing-starts which increased 4% during the three months to November, despite coming in 20% down on the year before. Underlying Sector Analysis – Non-Residential Overall, non-residential performance rallied during the Index period, with starts up against both the previous quarter and last year. Hotel & Leisure experienced a strong period, with starts increasing 37% against the preceding three months to stand 71% up on the same time a year ago. Education project-starts also grew, rising 31% against the preceding three months and increasing 29% against the previous year. Offices had a good period, with the value of underlying project-starts increasing 24% against the preceding three months and standing 2% up on a year ago. Industrial project-start performance was dismal, suffering a 22% fall during the three months to November to stand 4% lower than a year ago. Community & amenity also fared poorly, with the value of project-starts falling back 14% against the preceding three months and 15% against the previous year. Civils growth was poor, with starts decreasing 17% against the preceding three months and remaining flat against the year before. This was boosted slightly by infrastructure activity, with starts increasing by 1% against the preceding three months and by 36% on a year ago. Utilities starts didn’t perform well, declining 41% against the preceding three months to stand 34% down against the previous year. To find out more about Glenigan and its construction intelligence services click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
BOOSTING regional regeneration efforts, work has commenced on the redevelopment of previously derelict railway arches in Greater Manchester, which will be transformed into new destinations for food and drink, leisure and retail businesses. The arches on Norton Street, Salford, are located in Greengate, an area of the city currently experiencing a period of intensive development activity and growth. The scheme forms part of Project 1000, The Arch Company’s £200m plan to bring a thousand empty or derelict spaces into use across England and Wales by 2030. Multi-disciplinary consultancy Pick Everard is behind the project on Norton Street, delivering mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP), and civil and structural engineering services in partnership with Stephen George + Partners (SGP), operating closely with main contractor Triton Construction. Improvements will include new glazed frontages, new services and drainage, and an internal lining to make the spaces dry and ready for occupation. Matt Barron, associate structural engineer at Pick Everard, said: “After investigating the existing arch structures and local ground conditions, we developed a structural design and drainage scheme. “Our building services team then coordinated with utility providers to provide sufficient utility connections to the new development, and has designed the necessary ventilation, power and lighting solutions for the new arch fitouts. “We look forward to seeing the completion of this project and its contribution to the regeneration of the local area.” SGP studio director, Alan Soper, said: “We are excited to see work commence on thetransformation of these historic arch structures on Norton Street into spaces for businesses to develop and thrive. “The development is located in a key area of regeneration and renewal within Greater Manchester and The Arch Company’s investment will help to create a vibrant destination for Salford’s new neighbourhoods, while also supporting local businesses and the wider community.” The design for the scheme also incorporates high-quality materials that will generate an attractive appearance to the elevations on Norton Street, creating a ‘street’ of arches that will appeal to potential occupiers in the current marketplace. Danny Joss, director of capital programmes at The Arch Company, added: “We are really pleased to be investing in transforming these arches. We anticipate strong demand given their location, and we look forward to seeing new businesses move in, supporting the local economy and creating jobs for this growing community.” Norton Street is just one of several projects Pick Everard has worked on with The Arch Company. Other projects include the regeneration of four dilapidated railway arches on America Street in Southwark to deliver vibrant new spaces for restaurants, cafés, bars, and other leisure businesses, as well as the transformation of six vacant railway arches on Witan Street, in Bethnal Green, to create a range of new commercial spaces. Pick Everard also worked with The Arch Company on the redevelopment of ten derelict railway arches on Corporation Street in Manchester. To view the full range of services Pick Everard provides, please visit www.pickeverard.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans for a new £25 million rail station in West Yorkshire are making significant progress, with completion expected by late 2026. Survey work is currently underway to finalise detailed designs for the long-awaited Elland Rail Station. Contractor Keltbray Infrastructure Services Limited is aiming to complete the final stages of development work by summer 2024. Following this, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority will review a full business case for the station, moving the project closer to construction. The initiative is a collaboration between the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Calderdale Council. The council is nearing completion of designs for ambitious access routes, which include two new pedestrian and cycling bridges. A key milestone was recently achieved with the council’s approval of a planning application for the station’s access infrastructure. Tenders for the final design phase of the access package were submitted last month, and the council is now in the process of selecting a contractor. The new station, set to be a valuable addition to the Calder Valley line, will strengthen Elland’s transport links to key regional hubs, including Leeds, Huddersfield, Bradford, and Manchester. This transformative project is expected to deliver improved connectivity for the town, fostering economic growth and offering enhanced travel options for residents and visitors alike. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
With Christmas fast approaching, staff, contacts and friends of the Cruden Group have come together to gather much-needed donations for local communities in Scotland. For the fourth year, the award-winning housebuilder has been encouraging those across its central belt operations to spread some joy by gifting food items and cash donations for those who need a little extra help this festive period. In partnership with UK charity, The Trussell Trust, a total of 8,000 food and household items were collected and distributed to six food banks across Airdrie, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Gorebridge and Glasgow last week. Cruden’s winter appeal has also raised a fantastic cash donation of almost £11,000 for The Trussell Trust, which will be used to purchase more day-to-day necessities for vulnerable people. £5000 of the total amount raised has been donated by Cruden’s linked charitable trust, The Cruden Foundation. Colin Kennedy, Construction Director of Cruden, said: “Bringing our team together to support local people has once again brought a heartwarming end to the year. We’re proud to be working with The Trussell Trust for the fourth consecutive year to give back to our communities. “Despite challenging conditions for everyone, our food bank appeal has received an overwhelmingly generous level of support and we’re extremely grateful to everyone who has shown their kindness and donated. The solidarity of our staff and valued contacts, and their dedication to helping others, never ceases to amaze me. We’ve achieved our best results yet and I hope our donations help bring a smile to many local faces this year .” Emma Revie, Chief Executive at the Trussell Trust said: “Thank you to the team at Cruden Group for their incredible support. This winter is expected to be the toughest yet, with food banks in our network distributing more than 1 million parcels between December and February which equates to one every eight seconds. Food bank teams are working tirelessly to ensure help continues to be available, but ultimately, no-one in the UK should need to turn to a food bank as all of us should have enough money for the essentials. “The support of Cruden Group will help food banks within our network continue to provide emergency support, while we work together in the long term to build a country without the need for food banks. Thank you so much.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bouygues UK, the lead contractor for the first phase of Westminster City Council’s flagship Ebury Bridge regeneration scheme, has completed and handed over the project. This significant milestone marks the delivery of 226 new homes, including 100 high-quality council homes, 16 returning leasehold homes, and 110 homes for market sale. This achievement represents the largest delivery of new council homes in South Westminster for the past 50 years. Recognised for high levels of energy efficiency and rated as BREEAM Outstanding, all homes will be heated and cooled by a ground source heat pump, using warm water from 130 metres underground. Low carbon heating and cooling systems, greywater recycling, and blue roofs will support high-performing homes in a low carbon neighbourhood. Fabienne Viala, Chair and CEO of Bouygues UK, said, “We are thrilled to have completed the first phase of the largest delivery of new affordable homes in South Westminster in partnership with Westminster City Council. I am incredibly proud of our team, led by Peter Doherty, for their dedication and hard work in bringing this project to fruition. Our collaboration with the Ebury Bridge Estate community has resulted in sustainable benefits for all residents and workers and highlights our unwavering commitment to social value.” Bouygues UK’s contributions include donating around £120,000 to local community projects and contributing over 1,000 volunteer hours to various initiatives, such as the Abbey Centre, Construction Youth Trust, Women into Construction, and Social Bite. The site team has supported career sessions, work experience placements, provided educational support for residents and schools, and welcomed five apprentices from nearby London boroughs. They have provided 85 weeks of work placements, offered over 50 hours of expert support to small businesses and organisations in the borough, as well as providing sponsorship to assist parents with childcare. Westminster City Council has committed to bringing about new community-centred redevelopment in one of the UK’s most exclusive postcodes. As part of this commitment, 90 families will be moving into their new homes at Ebury Bridge over the coming weeks. The completion of this phase is a demonstration of the Council’s dedication to a Fairer Westminster, with all existing residents having the right to return. Councillor Matt Noble, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Renters at Westminster City Council, said, “This is the start of a new chapter for Ebury Bridge. The completion of the first phase of this scheme, which sees over 200 homes built, half of which are new council homes, showcases our commitment to building more truly affordable homes that are high-quality and fit for purpose in our community and demonstrates that we’re delivering on our Fairer Housing commitments for the residents of Westminster. “The completion of the first phase of Ebury is culmination of our efforts to achieve a Fairer Westminster. This phase not only sees the first residents move back into their new homes, but it will see new community facilities, play spaces and improved living standards. “I’m delighted for our residents who have waited for their new homes to be ready. The mixture of the original community and the new families and individuals moving to the neighbourhood will make Ebury a thriving, vibrant place that people want to visit. We’re proud of what has been achieved at Ebury and it sets a high bar for regeneration schemes across the country.” Phase one of the scheme aimed to set a new standard for mixed tenure neighbourhoods with a single estate management service across all buildings. In total, the Ebury Bridge project will deliver 781 high-quality and sustainable homes across three phases, with more than half set to be new or replacement council homes for social rent. Located in Knightsbridge and Belgravia, Ebury Bridge is one of Westminster City Council’s flagship regeneration projects rejuvenating an existing 1930s estate and transforming it into a sustainable modern neighbourhood. The scheme has already been recognised as a leading example of modern, sustainable, council housebuilding, receiving top prize at the Planning Awards 2023, the Best Community Engagement Outcomes, and the Mayor’s Prize for Good Growth at the Building London Planning awards. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A team of 90 specialist engineers have completed the assembly of HS2’s giant tunnel boring machine (TBM) which will start digging the second bore of the 3.5 mile Bromford Tunnel into Birmingham next year. In an assembly operation to move sections of the machine into a 12-metre deep launch pit, two 600 tonne cranes lifted the huge 125 tonne cutterhead into place at the front of the 125 metre long machine in the pit bottom. The first TBM, named ‘Mary Ann’ after Mary Ann Evans – the real name of Victorian writer George Eliot who was born in Nuneaton – started digging the first bore from the east portal site near Water Orton in August this year. It has already built more than 500 tunnel rings, which is 0.6 miles of the 3.5 mile long tunnel between North Warwickshire and Washwood Heath in Birmingham. The name of the second TBM will be revealed before it launches in Spring next year. ‘Mary Ann’ is set to break through at the end of 2024, with the second TBM planned to complete its journey in the middle of 2025. Both TBMs will remove 1.87 million tonnes of excavated material, which will be sifted at the on-site slurry treatment plant and reused on HS2’s nearby sites at Delta Junction, where a complex network of nine viaducts is being built. HS2’s Senior Project Manager Catherine Loveridge said: “With the first TBM ‘Mary Ann’ well on her way building the tunnel to take high speed trains into central Birmingham’s Curzon Street Station, it’s fantastic to see the second TBM assembled and being prepared to start digging. “We’re now at peak construction, with over 9,750 people working on HS2 in the West Midlands and around 450 people working on this site, including many from the local area. Launching the second TBM next year means there will be more exciting jobs up for grabs for local people.” The majority of the second TBM, including the gantries and the centre part of the cutterhead, have been re-used from TBM ‘Dorothy’ after completing the one-mile twin bore Long Itchington Wood Tunnel in Warwickshire earlier this year. Disassembled sections of ‘Dorothy’ have been moved to the Bromford Tunnel portal site near Water Orton over the last few months, where they have been lowered and reassembled into the underground launch area. At 8.62 metres in diameter, the Bromford Tunnel is smaller than the 10 metre diameter Long Itchington Wood Tunnel because trains will be travelling slower on the approach into Birmingham Curzon Street Station. For this reason, the TBM needed a new outer part cutterhead and a new shield, which were manufactured by Herrenknecht in Germany. The full Bromford Tunnel programme is being delivered by around 450 people working for HS2’s contractor Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV). A specialist tunnelling team, including apprentices working for BBV’s sub-contractor Tunnelcraft will operate the TBM 24/7, with each bore taking around 16 months. Jules Arlaud, Tunnelling Director for Balfour Beatty VINCI said: “Completing the assembly of the second tunnel boring machine is another major achievement for the team working on HS2’s Bromford Tunnel – a complex section of the new high-speed railway. “Getting to this stage has required a huge amount of planning and preparation, including the disassembly and transportation of ‘Dorothy’ parts from Warwickshire, which forms the majority of the second TBM. “Over the next few months, the team will be busy testing, checking and carrying out the final preparations, to make sure the machine is ready to start digging in spring next year.” The Bromford Tunnel programme includes designers from Balfour Beatty VINCI’s Design Joint Venture, made up of Mott MacDonald and SYSTRA (MMSDJV). Rosa Diez, Tunnels Discipline Lead for MMSDJV: “Seeing the second TBM in position, ready to start, is a proud moment for our tunnelling team. We have learnt so much from the excavation of the Long Itchington Tunnel by our ‘Dorothy’ TBM, which has helped get ‘Mary Ann’ well on her way through the Mercia Mudstone in the Bromford Tunnel. The learning will continue for this second TBM, which once named and launched next year, will also become part of our family”. A total of 41,594 concrete segments will create 5,942 rings to make the twin bore tunnel, with each ring weighing 49 tonnes. The segments are being produced at Balfour Beatty VINCI’s pre-cast factory at Avonmouth near Bristol. In the concrete mix used at the factory 40% of the cement is replaced with Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag (GGBS) which has a much lower carbon footprint than traditional cement. 3D scanning is used in the production process of the segments to guarantee accuracy. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals