Sales of homes in the UK strengthened in February, thanks in part to renewed interest from new buyers despite the Bank of England’s decision to increase interest rates – this according to experts responding to the latest RICS Residential Market Survey. A net balance of +17% of respondents said they
With the arrival of the new DX380DM-7 model, Doosan has completed the company’s range of new High Reach Demolition Excavators. The DX380DM-7 has joined the existing DX235DM-5 and DX530DM-5 demolition models launched in the last two years. These are complemented by the company’s new range of Material Handler models and
Only with integrated building design can truly sustainable buildings be built. Clivet, in order to meet the needs of design professionals in terms of BIM (Building Information Modeling) content and information, has made available the BIM objects of its air conditioning systems on the BIM&CO platform and implemented its website
Leased 1.28 million SQM in 2021 – a 64% increase compared to 2020 Accelerated acquisitions and completed developments over the last two years GLP, a leading investor and developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks, announced record progress on investment, leasing and development activity in 2021, significantly expanding its presence
Leading holiday homes manufacturer Victory Leisure Homes has announced a unique new partnership with market-leading systems, software, services and manufacturing equipment specialists Hilti. The partnership has seen Victory implement an advanced asset management system across the business that is bespoke to its exact needs. An innovative collaboration, Victory is the only holiday home
Once complete the North East Lands neighbourhood will provide over 2,000 homes in addition to the 4,780 already complete across Wembley Park. Planning permission has been secured for the first phase of this district, which will provide 769 new homes, 201 of which will be affordable within a range of
The Scottish Construction Leadership Forum (CLF) is celebrating International Women’s Day by highlighting its work on a National Equity and Inclusion Plan for the construction industry in Scotland which will drive increased inclusivity. Funded by Scottish Government this latest initiative is part of the wider plan for the industry to
With the impending Boiler Upgrade Scheme set to accelerate the UK heat pump rollout, local manufacturing and support will be key to addressing demand for remote installations, says a sector expert. Set to launch this April, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s (BEIS) flagship Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
ENABLING infrastructure clients to deliver improved outcomes by collaboratively working faster, greener, safer and smarter, Constructing Excellence Midlands has launched its Infrastructure Forum, enhancing the visibility and perspective of infrastructure activities in the region. The forum aims to assemble businesses from client organisations and supply chains in the Midlands, modernising
Work on the much anticipated £53m Poynton Relief Road scheme has reached a major milestone. The final five bridge beams have been lifted into place for the new Chester Road bridge. A 500-tonne crane was used to lift the 22.5m-long beams into position, with each beam weighing 37.8 tonnes. The
Sales of homes in the UK strengthened in February, thanks in part to renewed interest from new buyers despite the Bank of England’s decision to increase interest rates – this according to experts responding to the latest RICS Residential Market Survey. A net balance of +17% of respondents said they had seen a jump in new buyer enquiries – the sixth time in a row an increase has been reported and the strongest it has been over this period. At the same time the number of agreed sales improved, with a net balance of +9% saying sales of homes were increasing and strongest reading since May 2021. Looking to the next three months, sales are predicted to increase, albeit at a more modest pace – with a net balance of +11% (down from +20% in January). Looking further ahead respondents remained positive with sales expected to remain on a upward trajectory over the coming year. Declining new sales instructions coming onto the market also appeared to stabilise in February, with only -4% of respondents saying they had seen a fall (less than -7% in January). Stock levels remain close to historic lows however and are still a major factor in sustaining house price inflation. The pace of house price growth has again accelerated according to respondents. A net balance of +78% said prices had increased on a national level, while Wales, Yorkshire and the Humber, the Northwest of England and Northern Ireland showed especially elevated readings. Unsurprisingly, respondents said they see national house prices rising further across the next three and twelve months. These expectations climbed slightly higher despite recent rate hikes from the Bank of England. All parts of the country are anticipated to see continued strong growth in house prices over the next twelve months. On the lettings front, demand from tenants seeking rental housing grew at a solid rate with a net balance of +55% of contributors noting an increase in February. The continuing drought of new homes listed by landlords however showed the supply side remained challenging – with -21% of respondents citing a fall (down further from the -13% in January). As a result, rental growth expectations continued to be driven higher, reaching +66% nationally – the highest figure on record since December 2012. Twelve-month rental growth projections now stand at 4.5%, while respondents anticipate rents increasing by an average of 5% per annum over the next five years (close to a series high). Simon Rubinsohn, RICS Chief Economist, said: “Huge clouds of uncertainty hang over the economic prospects as energy prices continue to surge and the Bank of England grapples with how to manage monetary policy in this challenging environment. “Despite all of this, there is little evidence yet that the mood music regarding the expectations for house prices or rents is shifting. Indeed, the medium-term projections from respondents to the RICS survey are continuing to gain momentum. “It may well be that these trends ease as the deteriorating macro environment begins to bite but the message that keeps recurring, both for sales and lettings, is there are in aggregate many more prospective purchasers and renters than properties available. The risk is that these imbalances exacerbate the cost-of-living crisis and the challenges particularly for those on lower incomes.”
With the arrival of the new DX380DM-7 model, Doosan has completed the company’s range of new High Reach Demolition Excavators. The DX380DM-7 has joined the existing DX235DM-5 and DX530DM-5 demolition models launched in the last two years. These are complemented by the company’s new range of Material Handler models and together both ranges cover the majority of applications in the demolition, waste and recycling industry. The new Material Handler range now offers three models – the wheeled DX230WMH-5 and DX250WMH-5 and the tracked DX225MH-5 model. Increased Flexibility In all of Doosan’s demolition excavators, the operator is housed in a high visibility, tiltable cab, providing an excellent environment particularly suited to high reach demolition applications, with a 30 degree tilting angle. All three machines in the High Reach range provide increased flexibility with a modular boom design and hydraulic lock mechanism. This innovative design facilitates an easy change between a demolition boom and an earthmoving boom to accomplish different types of work on the same project, using the same machine. The multi-boom design also allows the earthmoving boom to be mounted in two different ways, which with the demolition boom, provides further flexibility with a total of three different configurations for the same base machine. A special stand is provided to facilitate the boom changing operation, which is based on quick-change hydraulic and mechanical coupler connections. A cylinder-based system is used to push the locking pins into place to help complete the procedure. When equipped with the demolition boom, the maximum pin height is 18, 23 and 27.5 m on the DX235DM-5, DX380DM-7 and DX530DM-5, respectively. When equipped with the digging boom in the straight configuration, the DX235DM-5, DX380DM-7 and DX530DM-5 can work to maximum heights of 9.0, 10.43 and 13.5 m, respectively. Hydraulically Adjustable Undercarriage All three models share a hydraulically adjustable undercarriage, which extends to a maximum width to provide optimum stability when working on demolition sites. The width of the undercarriage can be retracted hydraulically to a narrow width position, for transporting the machines. The adjusting mechanism is based on a permanently lubricated, internal cylinder design which minimises resistance during the movement and helps to prevent damage to the components. On all the Doosan demolition excavators, standard safety features include a FOGS cabin guard, safety valves for the boom, intermediate boom and arm cylinders and a stability warning system. A Choice of Three New Material Handlers Doosan is now offering a choice of three different material handler models. The 23 tonne DX230WMH-5 and DX250WMH-5 25 tonne wheeled machines are based on Doosan’s popular DX210W-5 wheeled excavator. The new DX225MH-5 25 tonne crawler model is based on Doosan’s successful DX225LC-5 22 tonne excavator – the crawler type undercarriage is particularly suited for work in difficult ground conditions. All three models have been designed specifically for a wide range of material sorting and handling applications such as those in the scrap metal and other solid waste and recycling industries, as well as demolition, forestry and logging. Designed to carry out the toughest tasks, the DX230WMH-5 and DX250WMH-5 are built with front and rear stabilizers, and a boom and arm specifically designed for material handling tasks. A standard feature is the hydraulic cab riser, which gives the operator better all-around visibility of the attachment and work area. When combined with the rear view camera display in the cab, the operator has excellent visibility of the job site. The maximum pin heights on the DX230WMH-5 and DX250WMH-5 are 11.7 m and 12.0 m, the maximum operating reaches are 10.1 m and 10.7 m and the maximum working depths are 4.2 m and 4.7 m, respectively. The DX225MH-5 is equipped with factory-fitted material handling features such as a 2.5 m elevating cab, a 6.5 m straight boom and a 4.5 m droop nose arm, a counterweight, grapple-ready hydraulics and additional guarding. The maximum pin height in the DX225MH-5 is 11.7 m, the maximum operating reach is 10.6 m and the maximum working depth is 5.2 m. The DX225MH-5 has two arm cylinders for extra balance and more stability and lesser movement when using attachments such as grapples. The DX230WMH-5 and DX250WMH-5 are powered by the 6-cylinder, turbocharged Doosan DL06PA water-cooled diesel engine, providing an output of 129.4 kW (173.5 HP). The new DX225MH-5 material handler is powered by the 6-cylinder, turbocharged Doosan DL06K water-cooled diesel engine, providing an output of 124 kW (166 HP). An optional generator is available as a turnkey solution without requiring additional modification. For added durability, an optional V-guard protects the machine sides and components behind the doors. Options Doosan can also provide a range of options such as gooseneck and straight arms, solid tyres and FOGS as well as different attachments to match customers’ applications and to enhance productivity, for a wide range of material sorting and handling applications. There are a number of factory installed options for the material handlers, including the following: Additional work lamps Cab guarding Frame guards Fuel filter pump Rotating beacon Solid tyres Air compressor Double pump flow Rubber track pad DoosanCONNECT Telematics DoosanCONNECT telematics is standard on all the Doosan demolition excavators and material handlers, and comes with a three-year subscription. DoosanCONNECT telematics provides location information and a full range of machine operational information to owners, dealers and Doosan. Information is provided through a simple user interface, accessible online via a web-enabled computer or smartphone. The goal of telematics is to help owners monitor their Doosan equipment and manage maintenance to reduce operating costs. For more on Doosan construction equipment, visit the website: www.eu.doosanequipment.com
Only with integrated building design can truly sustainable buildings be built. Clivet, in order to meet the needs of design professionals in terms of BIM (Building Information Modeling) content and information, has made available the BIM objects of its air conditioning systems on the BIM&CO platform and implemented its website with the online 3D cataloging service, offering access to further technical information in a dedicated area. BIM & CO is a cooperative platform that allows everyone to create, publish, contribute and use BIM objects from all over the world, free of charge, for digital modelling (multilingual management, LOD classification, standard properties coordination system, IFC compatibility, etc.). The BIM library of Clivet products, which includes VRF systems, air conditioning systems and heat pumps for the residential sector, heat pumps and hydronic chillers for the tertiary sector and industry, air renewal and purification systems and is constantly implemented, allows the designer to quickly find the digital product he needs, in the most congenial format and with all the information required at that precise stage of design. Andrea De Piccoli, who coordinated Clivet’s BIM project, comments: Innovation and digitalization are elements in which Clivet has always invested, so we immediately took advantage of the opportunity offered by the Bim&CO platform. The company’s objective is to become the European centre of excellence in air conditioning systems, and being present on portals and within the tools used by designers will allow us to reach a greater number of professionals worldwide, responding to their needs to simplify design and guaranteeing a complete 360° service.”
Leased 1.28 million SQM in 2021 – a 64% increase compared to 2020 Accelerated acquisitions and completed developments over the last two years GLP, a leading investor and developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks, announced record progress on investment, leasing and development activity in 2021, significantly expanding its presence across Europe. GLP saw high levels of activity and growth across its European business over the past twelve months. Total Assets under Management (AUM) as at 31 December 2021 was €14.3bn ($16.2bn) with an operating portfolio of 6.4 million SQM, comprising 216 properties and a further 21 under development. This compares to 31 December 2020, when GLP’s Total AUM was €10.3bn ($12.7bn) with a portfolio of 4.9 million SQM across 171 properties. In response to the continued growing demand for logistics space, GLP has accelerated its development programme, starting 27 new projects comprising 688,000 SQM of new space across Europe – a new record for GLP. This takes GLP’s total completed assets to 5.6 million SQM at the end of 2021, compared to 2.4 million SQM at the end of 2019. GLP’s leasing activity has been equally strong, with a total of 240 customers across its portfolio at the end of 2021, compared to 82 in 2019. In 2021, GLP agreed new or expanded leases on 1.1 million SQM of logistics space, up from 683,000 SQM in 2020 and 462,000 SQM in 2019. In addition, GLP renewed leases on 198,000 SQM of space – nearly double its 2020 figures. Today, GLP’s retention rates stand at 74% across Europe with a lease ratio of 97%*. GLP has had continued success supporting customers from outside the EU to enter European markets. In 2021, GLP agreed 14 leases to non-European customers compared to 8 in 2020. Nick Cook, President, GLP Europe, commented: “The growth of GLP has been fantastic to be a part of. We sit within one of the most important sectors in the global economy and one which has come to the fore over the past two years. Our development and leasing activity reflects the strength of the logistics market, despite broader macro-economic challenges. We are particularly pleased to see the continued confidence that our customers place in us reflected in our high occupancy and retention rates. We are grateful to our extraordinary team for delivering these results in such difficult conditions.”
Leading holiday homes manufacturer Victory Leisure Homes has announced a unique new partnership with market-leading systems, software, services and manufacturing equipment specialists Hilti. The partnership has seen Victory implement an advanced asset management system across the business that is bespoke to its exact needs. An innovative collaboration, Victory is the only holiday home manufacturer to use Hilti’s management system in this way. Enabling Victory to manage vital components across its Hull and East Yorkshire sites, Hilti’s ON!Track asset management system uses data matrix codes and Bluetooth technology to track and manage tools, equipment and materials via a cloud software platform. The unique collaboration significantly reduces timescales across all aspects of the manufacturing process, with ON!Track saving Victory up to 6,000 hours per year. As part of the partnership Victory also benefits from Hilti’s all-inclusive fleet contract, which gives access to unlimited manufacturing support and maintenance, and significantly shorter lead times to receive new tools, alongside the option to upgrade Hilti’s top-of-the-range fleet every three years. Mark Hewitt, director of operations at Victory Leisure Homes, said: “As a company that prides itself on challenging the norm and turning traditional processes on their head, we were eager to make the most of Hilti’s market-leading ON!Track technology to create the most efficient and productive system possible for our team. “As well as providing workers with the very best tools for the job, the partnership streamlines the manufacturing process and allows the team to have complete visibility on everything they need with one touch of a button. “Our decision to partner with Hilti came after trialling its system for six months. We place a great deal of value on the views of our workforce and their feedback on the trial was extremely positive.” The new system also allows Victory to help efficiently support its 45001:2018 accreditation in Occupational Health and Safety and ensure its sites remain compliant, safe, and productive. In addition, management can run automated reports on the status of all units within seconds, reducing downtime and substantially decreasing paperwork. Sebastiaan Groenhuijsen, head of product management for Northern Europe at Hilti, added: “It’s always great when businesses use our ON!Track asset management system in new and innovative ways. By tagging its large catalogue of holiday homes, Victory has used out-of-the-box thinking to tailor ON!Track to the business – which we hope will inspire others to do the same. We look forward to continuing this partnership with Victory and our future collaborations.” Other benefits of the partnership include regular tools servicing to ensure all tools are fit for use and remain within the vibration levels for the user.
Once complete the North East Lands neighbourhood will provide over 2,000 homes in addition to the 4,780 already complete across Wembley Park. Planning permission has been secured for the first phase of this district, which will provide 769 new homes, 201 of which will be affordable within a range of tenures including Shared Ownership, Affordable Rent and Discount Market Rent. Union Park, Wembley’s first new park in 150 years, will be a major part of this new development, providing seven acres of new green space for the community 3.5 of which are already complete. The construction contract for the first two plots will be the largest ever awarded in Quintain’s 30-year history – approximately £220 million. Quintain has recently announced it has broken ground on the next major phase of the 85-acre neighbourhood being created at Wembley Park. Named North East Lands, this 12-acre site will deliver over 2,000 new homes with 769 to be built in its first phase. The first two developments at North East Lands comprise of two buildings with blocks ranging from 10 to 27 storeys, centred around communal gardens, a public park and each block includes a roof terrace. North East Lands will provide almost a quarter of the 8,500 homes within Quintain’s Wembley Park overall masterplan and has been designed with high levels of sustainability in both construction and operation, in line with Quintain’s sustainability priorities. The majority of the new Haworth Tompkins’ designed homes in this first phase will be for rent and managed by the award-winning Quintain Living team that already operates over 3,250 homes across Wembley Park within nine diverse Build-to-Rent communities. North East Lands will feature furnished apartments with best-in-class interior design and the lifestyle amenities that Quintain Living is famous for. The buildings will be designed and operated to recognised industry sustainability standards such as the WELL Building Standard. James Saunders, Chief Executive of Quintain said: “As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, it is fantastic to start work on this new significant phase of Wembley Park, a neighbourhood that we are extraordinarily proud to say is one of the most exciting new districts in London. Over the last 20 years, Quintain has built Wembley Park from the ground up and North East Lands will not only add to our flourishing Build-to-Rent portfolio, it will also bring a new seven-acre park and a home for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, who are relocating to this area. Union Park will open up new green space for all the residents of Brent and we are very proud to be able to deliver what will be the first new park in the area for 150 years.” All the buildings in North Eastern Lands have been designed around the new seven-acre Union Park, with local retail in mind, including new space for a community hall, corner shop and café on the park creating a relaxed place to live, work and visit. The first three acres are complete and open for the community to enjoy. Demolition and enabling works started in January 2022 and are being undertaken by John Sisk & Son, they mark the closure of the last of the surface carparks that historically surrounded the National Stadium. These historic car parks have been replaced by state-of-the -art car and coach facilities, delivered in 2020 and 2021. In addition, the development will embrace Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) helping to dramatically reduce vehicle and labour movements as well as improving the on site environment. To deliver North Eastern Lands, Quintain are in advanced discussions with John Sisk & Son over the largest construction contract ever to be awarded at Wembley Park at approximately £220m. Sisk have been a key delivery partner for Quintain for 17 years working on residential developments, the Hilton hotel and the refurbishment of the Grade 2 listed, OVO Arena Wembley.
The Scottish Construction Leadership Forum (CLF) is celebrating International Women’s Day by highlighting its work on a National Equity and Inclusion Plan for the construction industry in Scotland which will drive increased inclusivity. Funded by Scottish Government this latest initiative is part of the wider plan for the industry to develop a more diverse and inclusive workforce, giving the sector access to a wider talent pool to support growth and help to address labour shortages. In the construction industry in Scotland in 2020[1], 84.6% of workers were men and 15.4% were women. 1.6% of workers in the construction industry were from a minority ethnic background compared with 4.3% of minority ethnic workers in Scotland as a whole. The National Construction Equity and Inclusion Plan seeks to address these imbalances by mainstreaming equity and inclusion within the industry as part of the CLF’s Construction Recovery Plan. The goals of the plan are to assess the current situation, share information on impactful equity and inclusion initiatives and develop actions to drive the realisation of a workforce that is more representative of society. The plan is being delivered in partnership with industry by Construction Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) on behalf of the CLF and is funded by the Scottish Government. The project is being supported by a steering group of experts who represent multiple aspects of the industry and have championed the cause of equity and inclusion throughout their careers. The strength of the steering group, combined with industry and Government support, will help ensure that the recommendations of the plan are moved to active implementation once it has been published. Emma Dickson, Technical Director at Arcadis and industry co-chair of CLF’s Skills and Workforce sub group issued a challenge to the sector to “Celebrate International Women’s Day by taking a meaningful step towards improving gender diversity in your workplace. What will you do?” She said: “The new Plan will focus on meaningful action, drawing from best practice and experience. It will be critical for industry to embrace and action the recommendations; our strong industry networks and leadership groups must take the lead. Skills shortages alongside the need for new green / digital skills in the industry mean that improving the diversity of our industry has never been so critical.” Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise and CLF chair Ivan McKee said: “It is really encouraging to see much needed progress towards creating a more diverse, equitable and inclusive construction industry that is representative of the world we live in. I am delighted to see this work being promoted on International Women’s Day, when we can celebrate raising awareness against bias and taking action to advance equality.” Lynsey Brydson, Head of Digital Programmes, CSIC said: “The collective objective we are aiming for is building a stronger, fairer and greener economic future for the construction industry and this investment is an important move in that direction. It is anticipated that the plan will be delivered in May”. Peter Reekie, Chief Executive of the Scottish Futures Trust and chair of the executive group of the CLF, said: “The CLF is embarked on a radical overhaul of the industry in Scotland and it is important to maintain momentum as the recovery gathers pace. “The data shows that our track record on diversity is poor. The industry is missing out on the talents of too many people, and too many people who could have rewarding careers in the industry are not seeing it as a place for them. Leaders at all levels must do better and I am proud to support the group putting in place our first National Equity and Inclusion Plan, which will help them to do just that.” [1] Annual Population Survey, Jan-Dec 2020
With the impending Boiler Upgrade Scheme set to accelerate the UK heat pump rollout, local manufacturing and support will be key to addressing demand for remote installations, says a sector expert. Set to launch this April, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s (BEIS) flagship Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) will offer homeowners grants of £5,000-£6,000 to facilitate the installation of air and ground source heat pumps. This development aligns with the Prime Minister’s earlier target of achieving 600,000 heat pump installations per year by 2028, and will drive uptake of this technology in order to achieve this goal. However, Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing and Technical at REHAU Building Solutions, warns that immediate availability of manufactured parts will be required to meet these ambitious objectives. “At present, around 30,000 heat pumps are installed per year in the UK,” said Steve. “In order to increase this by a factor of twenty before the end of the decade, the Government’s push for installations is going to need to be backed by a comprehensive supply chain. “This necessitates opting for locally manufactured parts where possible in order to cut down lead times and meet the anticipated boom in demand. This extends to accessories as well as heat pumps themselves. REHAU’s RAUVITHERM pre-insulated pipe, for example, has been manufactured in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Wales, since 2012, making it the only pre-insulated PE-Xa pipe to be made in the UK.” As some heat pump installations take place away from the property itself, the availability of pre-insulated pipe will be key to covering all bases in the Government’s heat pump rollout, and enabling the wider success of the Boiler Upgrade Scheme. However, Steve highlights that as each heat pump installation is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to the uptake of this technology. “It’s important to recognise that air source heat pumps are not able to be installed directly next to every property,” he explains. “This can be for a variety of reasons – heat pumps need good air flow to work effectively, and noise can also be an issue in some cases, so situating them on the side of the property is not always feasible. “For this reason, some installations require the heat pump to be located at the end of the garden or similar. However, this must be coupled with effective pre-insulated pipe between the heat pump and the home to ensure that there are minimal thermal losses. Polymer solutions such as RAUVITHERM can address this particular concern.” Steve concludes: “In an effort to further streamline the process of sourcing materials for remote heat pump installations, we’ve launched a dedicated landing page for installers to receive a quick quote. This tool, combined with UK manufactured parts, will be vital to ensuring an all-encompassing approach for achieving a prompt and effective transition to low-carbon heating.” For more information on RAUVITHERM and to receive a quote, visit: www.rehau.uk/heatpumps
ENABLING infrastructure clients to deliver improved outcomes by collaboratively working faster, greener, safer and smarter, Constructing Excellence Midlands has launched its Infrastructure Forum, enhancing the visibility and perspective of infrastructure activities in the region. The forum aims to assemble businesses from client organisations and supply chains in the Midlands, modernising the methods of industry collaboration and utilising digital tools for knowledge sharing to drive efficiency and improved outcomes. Andrew Carpenter, chief executive of Constructing Excellence Midlands, who has created the Infrastructure Forum, said: “The forum will present a fantastic opportunity for the Midlands infrastructure community to coordinate responses to key industry challenges and collaborate on projects and programmes, ensuring continued infrastructure advancement that is pre-emptive of the demands and opportunities for the region. “Infrastructure requires a collective planning approach where visibility of the opportunity to collaborate is essential, whether that’s rail, aviation, utilities, roads or power. An infrastructure forum will provide an opportunity to work smarter with collaborative efficacy and prove how we can provide ‘more for less’, while improving safety and sustainability outcomes.” Mark Lyddon, Midlands regional infrastructure lead at Turner & Townsend, said: “I’m delighted to be involved in the conception of the Constructing Excellence Midlands Infrastructure Forum. The Midlands boasts leading global pioneering minds in infrastructure development, working on world class projects and programmes. This forum will enable clients and the entire supply chains to utilise the power of their combined expertise and experience. “Consultation and collaboration through this platform will help us drive improvement in our industry and deliver better outcomes for customers and the environment. With the current volume of infrastructure construction activity and projects planned to take place in the Midlands region, we must create an improved way of working across clients and programmes.” Alec Gillham, business engagement manager for DIGI-RAIL at the University of Birmingham, said: “DIGI-RAIL is thrilled to have been asked to participate in the newly-established Constructing Excellence Infrastructure Forum. Currently working with some of the UK’s most innovative and technologically advanced rail businesses, we are keen to explore the opportunities that the forum will present for collaboration around the themes of connected transportation and infrastructure. “As we transition towards the creation of the public body Great British Railways (GBR), we are experiencing levels of investment and technology adoption in UK railways not seen for a generation. It is our firm belief the forum will provide a valuable platform to engage with stakeholders working within advanced transportation and infrastructure sectors to reimagine the UK passenger travel experience for the future.” If you or your organisation would like to be involved or to find out more, please contact Constructing Excellence Midlands at info@cemidlands.org.
Work on the much anticipated £53m Poynton Relief Road scheme has reached a major milestone. The final five bridge beams have been lifted into place for the new Chester Road bridge. A 500-tonne crane was used to lift the 22.5m-long beams into position, with each beam weighing 37.8 tonnes. The operation was completed within a day and the beams now form part of the largest structure in the scheme. The 3km Poynton Relief Road will relieve Poynton and neighbouring areas of high traffic volumes and congestion as well as improve air quality for residents and open up employment land. During March, concrete will be poured to form the west abutment for the Adlington bridge, marking the completion of all major concrete works across all the project’s structures. Other ongoing works include installation of drainage systems. A second season of major earthworks will start early next month. The road is due to open to traffic at the end of the year. Councillor Craig Browne, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council and chair of the authority’s highways and transport committee, said: “This is an impressive achievement by our construction contractors Graham, and a key milestone in progressing this important and long-awaited scheme. I congratulate all on a smooth operation. “This scheme shows the council’s commitment to deliver major infrastructure improvements for Cheshire East and will improve links to Macclesfield, the surrounding area, south Manchester and the airport. It will also open up some much-needed employment land, reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in the area.” The relief road will include two overbridge crossings for use by walkers, cyclists and farm vehicles and a 3.5m-wide combined cycle and footway, which will run beside the length of the route in the western verge. Nick Hodder, project manager at Graham, said: “We’re pleased with the progress being made on the Poynton Relief Road scheme and reaching the milestone of the beam lifting for the new Chester Road bridge. The lift was a delicate operation delivered carefully by our project team to ensure a safe and timely installation of the beams, which will support the new bridge. “We now focus our attention on completing the remaining concrete works and earthworks to prepare for the opening of this much-anticipated relief road later this year.” Cheshire East Council contributed £21m towards the cost of the road scheme with Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership providing £5.6m from the government’s Growth Deal and the Department for Transport providing £16.4m. A total of £7.7m is planned to come from developer contributions. For more information on the Poynton Relief Road and to read the latest updates, visit: graham.co.uk/poynton-relief-road