In this article Joe Harmon, Chief Product Owner at Evotix, a leader in EHS software solutions, outlines the importance of keeping construction workers safe, and how failure to comply with regulations, such as The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, can lead to severe consequences. While all businesses
LEADING surveying and geospatial solutions company Murphy Geospatial has announced a senior promotion to its board as it continues to build on its expertise across the UK and Ireland. Paul Kearney brings a wealth of experience to his new role as finance director at the company, which follows his promotion
Salford-based furniture installation and interior fit out specialist First Install has been purchased by Ipswich-based Apex Joinery for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition strengthens both businesses creating a new multi-million pound partnership with operating bases in both the north and south of the country with the ability to deliver a
Bouygues UK has reached a key milestone in the third phase of Hallsville Quarter, the new town centre in London’s Canning Town. As the main contractor for this phase of development, the construction partner celebrated completing the structure of the build with a topping out ceremony on Wednesday 17th August,
Twenty large family homes would be built for the Gateshead Jewish community if a public / private partnership that is driving up the quality and choice of homes in the borough is given the go-ahead for its innovative proposal. The scheme is part of a wider initiative to build 58
PLANNING permission has been granted on a new manufacturing facility in Scotland – producing HVDC cables for what will be the world’s longest subsea infrastructure for the Morocco – UK power project. The infrastructure forms part of an ambitious initiative that will power seven million UK homes by 2030. Leading
Commercial Scaffolding firm, Teal Scaffold, part of The Sovini Group, has been recognised as finalists for this year’s Liverpool Chamber of Commerce innovation in business awards. The awards are set to celebrate the outstanding achievements of local businesses who have driven their organisation forward throughout the year. In July it
The managing director of building services and engineering consultants FHP is getting on his bike to raise much needed funds for a charity that supports underprivileged youngsters. Tony Hewitt will be collaborating with former Chelsea FC, West Ham FC and England international footballer Joe Cole and his wife Carly’s 11
SOCOTEC is one of the UK’s leading providers of testing, inspection and certification services, provides comprehensive solutions in the Infrastructure, Environment & Safety, Environmental Science and Building & Real Estate sectors. Founded in 1953, the company offers a wide range of services to assist and advise clients through every step
Celebrating the handover of its first modular housing scheme in Wallasey, leading affordable housing provider, Torus, is marking the handover of its new 8-unit scheme at Oakdale Road. Expanding its use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), Oakdale Road signifies a further £1.5 million investment in the use of greener,
In this article Joe Harmon, Chief Product Owner at Evotix, a leader in EHS software solutions, outlines the importance of keeping construction workers safe, and how failure to comply with regulations, such as The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, can lead to severe consequences. While all businesses have reasons to comply with EHS regulations, it’s especially important for construction businesses because it’s the largest industry in the entire world, generating 13% of the world’s GDP. Failure to do so could result in construction delays, financial loss, and most importantly, loss of life. And if EHS negligence is severe enough, it could also lead to loss of licensure. Due to the nature of construction work, the safety stakes are significantly higher than in most other sectors. Hazards related to working at height, unguarded machinery, proximity to heavy construction equipment or power lines, and occupational disease related to silica dust and asbestos are just some examples of risk. Ensuring safe building practices remains one of the industry’s top priorities, yet businesses still face problems with employee engagement and compliance. The latest Health and Safety Executive (HSE) stats for the construction industry reveal the shocking human cost of negligence. In the UK, there were 30 fatal injuries to construction workers in 2021/22 as a result of negligence. There were also 123 deaths from injuries in workplace incidents, making the construction industry the deadliest. The hardest part of these statistics are what comes with them. Behind every statistic is a name and a family, which means more than 150 families and friends were affected by such tragedies. This is NOT ok. These failings also lead to consequences for businesses in the UK, and those that run them. Even one death at work is one too many. Every employee should expect they can carry out their work in a safe and healthy working environment and return home just as safely. Businesses that do not take this seriously and fail to comply can result in some serious business consequences. Here are some of the main consequences of EHS non-compliance. A criminal offence EHS is a legal requirement for construction businesses. Did you know that breaching health and safety regulations is a criminal offence? Businesses have a duty to ensure the working environment is safe for employees. If a business is found to have breached regulations, then it will face consequences which can include fines and even prison sentences. Hefty fines and financial burden Failure to comply with EHS regulations such as recording, tracking and reporting guidelines will result in major fines and penalties for construction companies. According to the UK’s HSE, British businesses are fined an average of £147,000 per convicted case. Additionally, the injured employee can also claim against the business that is responsible. Issues that endanger human lives can produce unlimited fines and even imprisonment. The most serious violations will result in civil or criminal legal proceedings against the construction company, leading to serious financial strain on top of the fines. Loss of worker confidence Notable safety violations and public fines won’t help current employees feel confident in the company, and it can make it harder to attract and retain highly qualified employees. If companies don’t show that they value them enough to provide even the most basic of requirements, which is a safe working environment, the result will be unengaged, unmotivated employees looking to exit the business. Business reputation Non-compliance with health and safety regulations can also hurt a business’s reputation. If violations are revealed and in the public domain, then these reported quality issues can impact the success of securing new projects. It is not good business to partner with a company that has inefficient operations which leads to major violations and safety issues. A poor health and safety culture will cost a business its reputation. Disqualification If a company is found to be negligent, then disqualification from the industry is a possibility. As it’s the employer’s legal responsibility to protect their employees, any disqualification or prosecution targets those at the top. Prosecutions brought forward by the HSE in the UK have a 93% conviction success rate. Endangering lives Inadequate health and safety procedures can result in serious injuries or fatalities. The death of a worker is the most severe consequence. In the construction industry, the biggest priority is to prevent serious accidents and injuries as the industry continues to have one of the highest rates of work-related deaths. With 30 deaths in the UK construction industry in 2021/22, publishing figures such as these raise awareness and should drive improvement in occupational safety and health. Compliance shouldn’t be seen as a challenge, but as an opportunity. Leveraging the right construction management software is the key to realising the potential of EHS compliance to generate real cost savings. The most effective way for construction businesses to track EHS compliance is to use construction EHS software solutions. At the end of the day, all employees should return home from work safely.
LEADING surveying and geospatial solutions company Murphy Geospatial has announced a senior promotion to its board as it continues to build on its expertise across the UK and Ireland. Paul Kearney brings a wealth of experience to his new role as finance director at the company, which follows his promotion to associate director only last year. A qualified chartered management accountant (CIMA), Paul has been with Murphy Geospatial, which provides world-class geospatial monitoring and data processing services to a wide range of clients in the natural and built environment, for nearly six years. Paul said: “I’m delighted to be taking on this new role at Murphy Geospatial, which faces an exciting future as it continues to expand its capability and reach. “It’s important to embed finance throughout the company’s departmental and operations structure to improve decision-making and information flow. “Cashflow is the lifeblood of a company. The finance function can have a huge impact and we need to ensure we are operating as efficiently as possible.” Murphy Geospatial, set up nearly 40 years ago, works with clients to reduce risk and make strategic decisions as it captures, collates, verifies and governs geospatial data across the project and asset lifecycle within various sectors. The firm’s monitoring services are used by contractors, local authorities and private clients across an array of projects. They are also vital to construction industry efforts to meet carbon neutral targets. Paul, based in Kilcullen, Ireland, has previously worked in a number of finance roles for major companies such as Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Bord na Móna and Bord Gais Energy, where he was a senior finance business partner. He heads a strong finance team at Murphy Geospatial, overseeing accounts, billing, credit control, payments and administration. A number of projects and initiatives over the years have improved its smooth operation. “The team has excellent skills and provides strong customer service within our finance partnership approach – ours is often the ‘go-to’ department. Everyone in the company is open to ideas and willing to learn and develop,” said Paul. And he is proud of Murphy Geospatial’s work in the industry, with the increasing need for data as the infrastructures of cities, towns and the countryside continues to modernise and develop. “We will need to adapt with new technologies and workflows so that we can continue to develop as a company,” he added. “There is a huge amount of emphasis on innovation here, including investing in a full support service department, to ensure that we are in a strong position for the future.” Niall Murphy, the company’s CEO, said he was delighted with Paul’s promotion to the firm’s board of directors. “Paul has been an integral part of the growth of the group, building a strong team in the finance department and implementing processes that have increased efficiencies across the UK and Ireland businesses,” said Niall. “He has developed a respect and trust with key stakeholders and continues to provide the financial expertise and support the company needs as we go from strength to strength in achieving our business goals.” For enquiries about the firm’s services, please email info@murphygs.ie (Ireland) or info@murphygs.com (UK).
Salford-based furniture installation and interior fit out specialist First Install has been purchased by Ipswich-based Apex Joinery for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition strengthens both businesses creating a new multi-million pound partnership with operating bases in both the north and south of the country with the ability to deliver a wide range of bespoke joinery, manufacturing, installations, and interior fit out solutions to clients nationwide. With two offices and a combined team of more than 50 personnel, both First Install and Apex Joinery can expect to double turnover in the coming 12 months to more than £5million, with plans to recruit across all areas of the business and embark on a period of concerted growth by securing new clients right across the country. Both businesses bring a strong reputation for quality, expertise and operational excellence to the new venture which will seamlessly provide clients in the retail, leisure, hospitality, office, commercial and industrial sectors with a turnkey solution to installations and bespoke interior fit outs. The service will take ideas from vision to reality, covering the complete process from initial concept and design development through prototypes, production and manufacture, furniture and retail display selection and interior layout advice complete with comprehensive 3D visuals and flythrough animation to final installation and handover with warehousing, storage and refurbishment-related construction undertaken as necessary. Head of sales and operations at First Install, Mike McVey, commented: “By joining forces, we have extended our geographical capabilities and established a new multi million pound nationwide operator with the shared aim of becoming the first choice for the design, manufacture and installation of beautiful interior fit outs along with furniture and retail display installation, across a range of different industry sectors. “In addition to being a mutually beneficial partnership, both combined businesses are committed to further growth and job creation and plan to bring additional complementary businesses on board forming an all-encompassing and experienced group that offers added value and choice for clients and give the client a compelling reason to choose us when selecting an installation, manufacturing and fit out partner.” Despite initially doubling in size, turnover and service capabilities, customer satisfaction, attention to detail and a personal approach remain at the heart of every project for the newly merged team. Mike McVey will head up sales and operations for the new venture, drawing on his vast experience which includes Makro, Halfords and Manchester City Football Club (Kitbag) to name just a few past clients. With both companies established for more than two decades, First Install and Apex Joinery are renowned for excellence in their operating sectors; First Install delivering professional furniture installation and specialist fit out and Apex Joinery delivering high quality purpose-made joinery. For further information on either business, please visit www.firstinstall.co.uk or www.apexjoinery.co.uk.
Bouygues UK has reached a key milestone in the third phase of Hallsville Quarter, the new town centre in London’s Canning Town. As the main contractor for this phase of development, the construction partner celebrated completing the structure of the build with a topping out ceremony on Wednesday 17th August, alongside Linkcity and One Housing Group. The £240m (GDV) Hallsville Quarter scheme is one of London’s biggest regeneration projects, and the third phase, expected to complete in 2024, will be the largest to date, more than doubling the number of new homes the scheme has delivered so far. Bouygues UK has been working closely with its property development sister company Linkcity, One Housing Group, Grainger and the London Borough of Newham to deliver Phase 3 which will include: 278 private rental homes situated across two blocks owned by Grainger, including 2,400m2 commercial space within the blocks 245 shared ownership (including 10 shared equity) 50 extra care 47 affordable rent (including 10 London affordable rent) 6,800m2 of commercial space owned by Linkcity which it intends to let and/or sell to a commercial investor. Download A computer generated image of Hallsville Quarter from Rathbone Street (c) HawkinsBrown This latest phase of the Hallsville Quarter development will also deliver an integrated health centre under an innovative new model with local health partners, 1,125m2 of business accommodation, a new basement car park for 143 vehicles, and new high-quality public spaces, including fountains and play areas. In total, the Hallsville Quarter development, which is part of the Canning Town and Custom House regeneration project, will provide 1,100 new homes, over 30,000m2 of leisure and retail space, and more than 2,975m2 of space for community facilities, as well as new public spaces, pedestrian links, cyclist provision and secure parking spaces. Gerald Farque, Bouygues UK Managing Director said, “It’s wonderful to be here to celebrate reaching this important milestone at Hallsville Quarter Phase 3, one of the most significant town centre regeneration projects. I am particularly proud of our in-house civil works teams who have delivered, as with previous phases, the reinforced concrete frame. I would also like to congratulate the project team on their commitment to social value, in particular supporting local labour at each phase of this regeneration scheme.” Phillippa Prongué, Linkcity Managing Director said, “For over 10 years, Bouygues UK and Linkcity have been working closely with the London Borough of Newham to deliver the regeneration of Canning Town. It’s great to be here to celebrate reaching this stage of the build in a project which will transform this area of east London and help create a thriving centre. Congratulations to everyone involved in reaching this point.” Robert Marcantoni, Group Director of Development for One Housing (Part of Riverside) added, “One Housing are delighted to partner with Linkcity and Bouygues UK to provide over 300 much needed social homes within one of our key London boroughs. This milestone is a fantastic achievement and builds on the existing homes we have within this community. In this housing and cost of living crisis this 3rd Phase of Hallsville Quarter provides much needed affordable homes and delivers a 50 unit Extra Care Scheme where we will be providing support and personal care services to adults over 55 years old. Following the recent off-plan launch of our Shared Ownership homes, we have already had great interest and feedback and we look forward to the handover of these great affordable homes.”
Twenty large family homes would be built for the Gateshead Jewish community if a public / private partnership that is driving up the quality and choice of homes in the borough is given the go-ahead for its innovative proposal. The scheme is part of a wider initiative to build 58 affordable properties on a piece of land which has stood empty for almost a decade because redevelopment costs were prohibitive. The Gateshead Regeneration Partnership (GRP) wants to use profits from the construction and private sale of around 50 houses elsewhere in the borough to part fund the project in Hyde Park Street. This would allow the development of the affordable homes on a 2.88 acre site which was, until 2013, occupied by back to back terraced housing. And 20 of these new homes would be specially designed to meet the needs of the town’s Orthodox Jewish Community. GRP comprises Gateshead Council, construction and regeneration specialist Vistry Partnerships North East and affordable housing provider Home Group. The proposal has been developed in conjunction with Homes England, Adler Housing – a registered provider of social housing under the Jewish Community Council of Gateshead – and Agudas Israel Housing Association. A planning application is being prepared for submission which, if approved, would allow the development of two to five bedroomed homes on the site of the former Hookergate School in High Spen, the profits from which would subsidise the Hyde Park Street project. Home Group would offer 38 of these for affordable rent, whilst Adler and Agudas Israel would take the 20 specially designed homes for Jewish residents. In addition to being large enough to accommodate extended families, features in these homes include a room with a sukkah – a retractable roof, and kitchens compatible with observance of Kosher dietary practices including two sinks and sufficient counter space. Chaya Spitz, CEO with Agudas Israel Housing Association, said: “This carefully planned scheme comes after many years of joint working by our colleagues from Gateshead Regeneration Partnership and the local Jewish community. We are delighted to be joining and hopefully enabling it to come to fruition.” Eli Halberstadt, chair of Adler Housing, commented: “We are delighted that the Gateshead Jewish community has the opportunity to provide high quality, bespoke housing which would provide ample living space for families. We are especially pleased to partner with Agudas Israel on this project.” Cllr. Martin Gannon, Leader of Gateshead Council, added: “I would welcome the development of much needed high quality housing in the area and I’m delighted that Gateshead Council is playing a positive role, working with the community on this initiative.” Andrew Rennie Development Director with Vistry Partnerships North East, commented: “It has been a long and complex process to align all the partners involved in the initiative, but it is pleasing to have been able to create an opportunity to meet the diverse housing needs of local people and unlock the potential of this piece of unused land.” Kitson Keen, Director of Development at Home Group, said: “The Gateshead Regeneration Partnership is a great example of collaborative working. And this latest initiative is another example of this. The progress we have made to date gives us absolute confidence that we’ll reach the targets we’ve set to deliver much needed affordable homes in the Gateshead borough.” GRP’s vision is to create around 2,500 new homes on 16 sites across the borough in a £350 million initiative. To date around 450 have been built on eight sites. As well as improving housing quality and choice, the initiative is providing job and training opportunities – a minimum of 25% of which go to local people – and an economic uplift – a quarter of the supply budget is committed to businesses within the borough.
PLANNING permission has been granted on a new manufacturing facility in Scotland – producing HVDC cables for what will be the world’s longest subsea infrastructure for the Morocco – UK power project. The infrastructure forms part of an ambitious initiative that will power seven million UK homes by 2030. Leading independent property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard has been acting as lead consultant on the project, appointed by HVDC subsea cable manufacturer XLCC. The new facility, in Hunterston, North Ayrshire, will produce four 3,800km long cables, connecting solar and wind energy all the way from the Sahara to the UK, as part of the Xlinks project. Once operational, the brownfield site is expected to support up to 900 jobs, with thousands more generated in the wider supply chain. Santosh Patel, director at Pick Everard said: “We’re excited and proud to be involved in creating a new high tech green industry for the UK and supporting the drive towards Net Zero.” “From a manufacturing perspective, it will see undersea cables created to a length not previously seen, while consumers will be able to benefit from a much lower unit cost for their energy once the project is fully implemented. Net zero requires huge expansion of solar and wind to be a success, and XLCC stands to help deliver in this respect.” XLCC’s manufacturing operation in Hunterston will meet the UK’s growing demand for high-voltage, direct current (HVDC) power transmission. Landowners at Hunterston have thrown their support behind the scheme, with work transfer opportunities expected to be provided for local employees, following the decommissioning of Hunterston’s B power nuclear station after 46 years. As well as acting as lead consultant, Pick Everard has provided complete design services, as well as health and safety consultancy, BIM coordination and BREEAM assessments. Now, the firm is expected to continue to act in a technical advisory capacity, with construction on the new factory expected to commence in early 2023. Mark Colby, partner at Pick Everard, said: “We are focused on delivering better together with our cross-industry partners, achieving excellence in everything we do. This particular project sees us – together with the wider project team – delivering a scheme that benefits everyone from the local community through jobs to the whole planet through its sustainable elements.” Project director for XLCC, Alan Mathers, added: “We look forward to delivering a factory of great local and international importance for HVDC subsea cable. The UK will be positioned as a world leader in the green economy, with the site at Hunterston playing a key role in connecting cheap, green energy from renewables projects around the world.” Pick Everard employs more than 600 staff across its 15 offices, providing a range of project, cost, and design consultancy services. For more information, please visit https://www.pickeverard.co.uk.
Commercial Scaffolding firm, Teal Scaffold, part of The Sovini Group, has been recognised as finalists for this year’s Liverpool Chamber of Commerce innovation in business awards. The awards are set to celebrate the outstanding achievements of local businesses who have driven their organisation forward throughout the year. In July it was announced that Teal Scaffold was shortlisted for The Liverpool Chamber of Commerce small business of the year award (under 30 employees) for its commitment to innovation, skills development, and expertise in their industry. A number of prestigious projects in and around the North West, in addition to Teal Scaffold’s impressive business growth, places them firmly on the list of finalists for the respected award. Dan McGregor, Head of Operations said: “The rewards of being successful in business are clear-cut. To be recognised locally as an SME for the hard work of our team and the projects they have delivered is incredibly rewarding. This is an award that we would be delighted to win as it would recognise the professionalism and sheer determination that our highly skilled team has shown getting several large social housing projects successfully delivered”. The announcement for the innovation in business awards will follow a gala dinner at the historic venue – The World Museum, William Brown Street on Thursday 17th November. The collaboration marks the beginning of a new strategic partnership between the World Museum and The Liverpool Chamber. The evening will be full of celebration, pride and honour that will acknowledge and reward the achievements of local Liverpool businesses and individuals.You can vote for Teal scaffold by following this link-https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/LiverpoolChamberAwards2022. Voting closes on the 1st September.
The managing director of building services and engineering consultants FHP is getting on his bike to raise much needed funds for a charity that supports underprivileged youngsters. Tony Hewitt will be collaborating with former Chelsea FC, West Ham FC and England international footballer Joe Cole and his wife Carly’s 11 Foundation this September, joining forces with industry colleagues to cycle almost 200 miles from central London to Amsterdam. He will be part of the Pristine London Construction Group and London AC Ltd cycling team, aiming to raise at £1,000 on the back of the challenging three-day ‘Construction Tour – London to Amsterdam’ cycle ride in aid of OnSide and Future Youth Zone in Barking and Dagenham. The charity, which is supported by the 11 Foundation, works with at risk youngsters in the east end of London, ensuring that they have a safe place to go where they will be treated equally and provided with vital education and empowerment opportunities. This helps to boost their self-confidence and equip them with essential life skills needed to help secure a better future for themselves. Joe Cole will be riding along with construction industry professionals as they look to push themselves hard along a course starting in Central London, traversing through the Hook of Holland, Rotterdam and The Hague, before finally arriving in Amsterdam on 18 September. Tony , who is again collaborating with 11 Foundation to support a charity that undertakes life-changing work, said: “The past few years have been extremely tough for everybody and the social and economic impacts of lockdown are only now being realised, particularly on the personal development and social mobility of the UK’s vulnerable young people. “Alongside my friends and construction industry colleagues, we want to highlight the criticality of a strong and effective youth service and raise money for initiatives to facilitate these improvements. We are aiming to raise as much as possible for this important cause so any donation, large or small, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.” To support Tony’s fundraising visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tony-hewitt5 More information about the 11 Foundation and its projects is available at www.11foundation.co.uk
SOCOTEC is one of the UK’s leading providers of testing, inspection and certification services, provides comprehensive solutions in the Infrastructure, Environment & Safety, Environmental Science and Building & Real Estate sectors. Founded in 1953, the company offers a wide range of services to assist and advise clients through every step of a project’s life cycle, from acquisition and planning all the way through to completion and analysis. ITM Monitoring was acquired by SOCOTEC in 2018, and has subsequently rebranded to become SOCOTEC Monitoring UK. With over 30 years’ civil engineering experience, SOCOTEC Monitoring UK is the trusted contractor in construction, rail, highways, utilities, mines and ports across the UK, specialising in the design, installation and data provision for geotechnical and structural monitoring systems. High Speed 2 (HS2) is a high-speed railway line currently under construction in the United Kingdom. As the country’s second purpose-built high-speed line (the first being HS1), HS2 Phase One will connect London and Birmingham with a dedicated high-speed track, increasing capacity on the network. There was a risk that the construction of HS2 could have had an impact to the M25 motorway, when the tunnelling machines passed underneath in summer 2021. National Highways (formerly Highways England), the government-owned company charged with operating, maintaining and improving motorways and major A roads in England, wanted to ensure that the structural integrity of the motorway was not compromised during the tunnelling construction phase of HS2. About the project The M25 is one of the busiest roads in Europe, carrying over 250,000 vehicles per day. In 2019, Align JV awarded a contract to SOCOTEC to conduct monitoring of the M25 motorway and surrounding assets during construction. A main part of HS2, the Central 1 (C1) Section that Align JV is delivering, includes the boring of two separate tunnels underneath the motorway itself. A vital stage of the construction process was the monitoring of the motorway and surrounding assets to track any shifts in the settlement of both clockwise and anti-clockwise carriageways, sheet pile walls, bridges and abutments, the central reservation and two gantries. SOCOTEC conducted a 12-month baseline monitoring programme before the TBM’s started the crossing on the M25. The monitoring started hourly, with MS60 MultiStations measuring prisms, patch scanning and industry-leading reflectorless measurements due to the wave form digitiser technology. The MS60 successfully managed to conduct patch scanning and reflectorless measurements through the traffic at peak hours on the M25. The results provided by SOCOTEC while using the MS60 instilled confidence in the project that the potential settlement caused by the tunnelling was within the set parameters of the predicted movement set out by the clients’ designers. Challenges As one of the busiest roads in Europe, access to the motorway was often restricted, with monitoring teams unable to access the road unless it was closed, along with bridges and other monitoring points being obstructed by heavy traffic. Automated patch scanning was therefore suggested to reduce the amount of time required for teams to spend on site, increasing efficiency and improving safety. Due to restricted access on the motorway, the ability to install physical monitoring points also proved to be an obstacle to SOCOTEC. Communication between the different monitoring points was initially difficult due to the inability to run network cables to certain areas. Implementation of SCCS solutions To accomplish these tasks, a geodetic monitoring solution was required, with the ability to conduct monitoring without requiring prisms in all locations. These solutions needed to be installed in such a way so as to not obstruct traffic. With this in mind, SOCOTEC reached out to SCCS Survey. Leica GeoMoS Monitors were suggested, which enabled SOCOTEC to automate the monitoring project and use the power of imagery to minimise visits to site. Leica Nova MS60 MultiStations, GeoMoS, allowed the automatic triggering of alerts if the predefined movement levels were reached. The solution also included AD12 – Self Levelling Tribrach, which could be programmed by GeoMoS Monitor to auto-level the instrument prior to any measurement cycle. This was especially useful, as the instruments were at elevated positions to provide optimal angles of instance to the monitoring locations. SCCS provided three MS60s fitted with LOC8 and a singular Leica Nova TM50 in total. The four total stations were communicated through an SCCS Comms Box using Leica Comgate 20’s. To complete the physical set-up, security cages were designed specifically in-house by SOCOTEC for all four total stations. The MS60s and TM50 were mounted in secure cages on top of plinths (high enough so as to not obstruct motorway traffic), along with the automatic tribrach AD-12 for automatic levelling of the instruments. Voltmeters were installed at each instrument to ensure that power was being provided to each unit for charging. The monitoring project required not just sensors, software and power components, but also communication devices in the field. With all of these different components, installation would prove complex and challenging when trying to figure out how to set everything up and automate it to make it run 24/7. To overcome this challenge, SOCOTEC installed four SCCS Comms Boxes with Leica ComGate20s in the field and connected the four instruments to them. The configuration of all the devices was then performed remotely in one centralised view within the Leica GeoMoS monitoring project. This significantly sped up the configuration process and gave SOCOTEC an overview of all of their measurement cycles. An array of prisms was set up on top of the embankments, some of which served as control prisms outside the zone of interest (ZOI). Test patches were set up to scan over 20 metres, 40 metres and 60 metres, each with different obtuse angles of instance. Hourly scans were implemented from the start of the project, and once the TBM’s had passed, these were switched to three-hourly intervals to adhere to the post-construction monitoring phase. Each monitoring project has specific measurement and accuracy requirements. For this particular project, SOCOTEC used the powerful Leica GeoMoS software solution, which provided a highly flexible automated deformation monitoring system
Celebrating the handover of its first modular housing scheme in Wallasey, leading affordable housing provider, Torus, is marking the handover of its new 8-unit scheme at Oakdale Road. Expanding its use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), Oakdale Road signifies a further £1.5 million investment in the use of greener, more sustainable technologies and Torus’ commitment to become a more eco-friendly developer. All eight bungalows at Oakdale Road were built off site and are available via Affordable Rent and are built to meet net zero carbon standards, featuring PV Solar Roof Panels, an Air Source Heat Pump with an EPC rating of ‘A’ – the first of its kind built by Torus with contractor Starship. Completed in less than a year, Oakdale Road highlights the importance of utilising less traditional methods of construction to regenerate disused sites to create high quality, modern homes quickly. Embedding this technology will also benefit future residents by lowering their energy consumption and ultimately bills – something that has never been so important for many in Torus communities. Discussing the completion of Oakdale Road, Director of Development & Sales Steve Alcock, said: “As a social investor, we’re committed to ensuring all homes we build are not only affordable, but actively contribute to addressing key issues impacting our local communities, region and the country as a whole. Oakdale Road is the first Torus scheme that is completely carbon neutral but is certainly not the last. “As we progress on our journey to net zero emissions, this development will form the blueprint for how we continue to use MMC intelligently to not only fix the national housing crisis but reduce our impact on the environment to create more sustainable developments and we’re thrilled to have worked with Starship to create such an innovative scheme.” Chris Moores, Development Director at Starship, commented: “It’s been great working with the team at Torus to deliver what is a truly innovative, next generation development for their residents. We are always working to push the boundaries in creating the lowest carbon living standards possible for our customers and we are looking forward to working with Torus in the future on more game changing homes.” After visiting the development, Councillor Tony Jones, Chair of Wirral Council’s Economy, Regeneration & Housing Committee, said, “It’s fantastic to see such a ground-breaking development in Wirral, which not only provides much-needed bungalows for affordable rent, but also incorporates sustainable technologies to minimise carbon emissions and help residents keep their fuel bills as low as possible.”