THE INPUT GROUP is celebrating the completion of six developments across the Midlands and Yorkshire – including Sheffield, Castleford and Market Harborough railway stations, Sheffield Meadowhall Interchange and two new Orangetheory Fitness studios – helping to bolster the hard-hit leisure and travel sectors. The projects, which are part of the
Experts are calling for more to be done to stop fire protection systems from failing, after figures from the Home Office revealed that over half a million fire-related incidents were recorded last year with hundreds of deaths resulting. All non-domestic buildings are legally required to have several safety features implemented
Have you ever heard about the five-factor theory and core personality traits that shape every person but still don’t know what it is? If so, keep reading as in this article, you will be able to explore the big five personality traits, their main peculiarities, and how online therapy can
A construction site is a dangerous place; you often hear or watch the news about accidents taking place there. Its surrounding areas are full of heavy machinery, construction materials, and unfinished structures. Also, with numerous workers constructing at the same time, these sites are probably the busiest and most chaotic
The latest research by nationwide Buy-to-Let specialist, Sequre Property Investment, estimates that the current bricks and mortar value of the UK’s private rental sector sits at almost £1.4trillion pounds Sequre Property Investment compiled data on the number of current private rented dwellings across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, before
A £7m indoor attraction based on the blockbuster ITV show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! will open at MediaCityUK later this month following a 32-week project by principal contractor MC Construction. The Salford company carried out enabling and fit-out works at the venue and managed all directly-appointed
Contractor Henry Brothers has broken ground and started work to build a new £4million extension at Glossopdale School, funded by Derbyshire County Council. The new block will provide an additional nine teaching spaces comprising eight standard classrooms and a demonstration science lab. It will also provide flexible options for dining
Harrow council’s ambitious plans for over 1,500 homes to be built on three underused sites moved a step closer with the news of a joint development venture with Wates Residential. At least 40 per cent of the new homes are to be shared ownership or affordable housing and will be
International engineering federation FIDIC (the International Federation of Consulting Engineers) has expanded the scope of its 2019 agreement with the World Bank which enables the bank to adopt the use of six FIDIC standard contracts until 2024 to now include the FIDIC-ITA Emerald Book form of contract for tunnelling and
Insulation specialist Actis joined dozens of Jewson staff from branches across the North of England this month as they walked 130 miles from Widnes to Hull – and raised £30,000 for charity. It was one of a number of Jewson suppliers which provided activities and information along the route. Actis
THE INPUT GROUP is celebrating the completion of six developments across the Midlands and Yorkshire – including Sheffield, Castleford and Market Harborough railway stations, Sheffield Meadowhall Interchange and two new Orangetheory Fitness studios – helping to bolster the hard-hit leisure and travel sectors. The projects, which are part of the specialist contractor’s large portfolio of leisure and transport projects across the region, required a range of installation works to create and improve public facilities. The Input Group’s £2.8 million transformation at Castleford train station was carried out in a bid to improve passenger experience. The team worked to create new high-quality waiting facilities – which comprised a ticket vending machine, seating area, a disabled toilet, and information and retail facilities – as well as refurbishing the station’s car park to provide 65 parking spaces, CCTV, lighting and improved pedestrian and cycle access. Market Harborough station also benefitted from a brand-new cycle hub. Part of East Midlands Railway’s £1 million commitment to increasing cycle provision across its network, the completed hub now provides 100 spaces in a secure storage facility with accompanying CCTV. Chris Monk, managing director at The Input Group, said: “As a Derby-based business, we have a lot of links to the region, so we find it really fulfilling when we complete projects in the Midlands and surrounding areas that help to support and grow the local economy. Both the travel and leisure sectors are industries that suffered throughout the pandemic, so helping to create and improve facilities that encourage public spend to re-boost these industries is incredibly important to The Input Group.” The team also made improvements to two railway stations in Sheffield, installing anti-slip tiling and wider entrance doors at Sheffield station to increase access to the external taxi rank and cycle hub, and upgrading Sheffield Meadowhall Interchange’s car park through resurfacing and the installation of a new CCTV system. Infrastructure works were also carried out at the station, which will allow for electric vehicle charging stations to be installed in the future. Chris added: “While we often work on transport and railway projects, we have also recently completed two fitness studios in Derby and Nottingham for Orangetheory Fitness – an American fitness brand that is now expanding across the UK. We will be working on completing 40 gym studios for the brand across the Midlands and Northern England, which will be a great addition to our portfolio of leisure schemes.” In both studios, the team worked to complete the design according to Orangetheory’s brand guidelines, carried out the mechanical and electrical installation of all equipment, and created entrance ways, office facilities, toilets, locker rooms, changing cubicles and showers. Adam Busby, sales director at Orangetheory Fitness, said: “Launching our third studio in the East Midlands, and the second studio with The Input Group is really exciting. Both Derby and Nottingham have so many new businesses and an array of culture, cafes and restaurants, there’s a wonderful community feel to these cities, which is perfect for the local community feel we like to create for our members. Orangetheory Nottingham & Derby may be part of a globally successful brand, but these studios are very much Derby and Nottingham’s ‘local’ studios and with The Input Group’s help, we’re looking forward to continuing to launch stunning studios to welcome people to the OTF family.” The Input Group was established more than 45 years ago and provides a ‘one stop shop’ approach to construction within the transport, corporate, and retail sectors. With offices in Derby and London, the firm has delivered a number of high-profile projects for clients such as Eurostar – including the design and development of St Pancras International – Network Rail, DHL, and Transport for London. To find out more about The Input Group, please visit www.inputgroup.co.uk or contact marketing@inputgroup.co.uk.
Experts are calling for more to be done to stop fire protection systems from failing, after figures from the Home Office revealed that over half a million fire-related incidents were recorded last year with hundreds of deaths resulting. All non-domestic buildings are legally required to have several safety features implemented to reduce the effects of fires, such as alarms and doors. Fire doors work by stopping the spread of deadly smoke and fire; yet over three quarters of fire doors in 2019 failed inspections and were condemned as unfit for purpose. Reasons for failure of these doors range from ‘excessive gaps’ that allow smoke to pass, to ‘poorly adjusted door closers’ that prevent the door from staying in its default closed position in order to hold back the spread of fire. Director of Combined Fire Protection, Ellie McKay, says: “It’s staggering how many landlords are still not compliant despite the recent changes in regulation. Putting aside the hefty fines they can incur; the graver concern is the potential loss of life that can happen when corners are cut.” “There is so much to advise landlords and developers on when buildings are going up. The importance of working with professional organisations to ensure that stringent requirements are met cannot be underestimated.” Lessons from a tragedy This lack of building safety features has been all but spotlighted since the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower which took the lives of over 70 people in 2017. An investigation following the fire found several shortcomings from the fire protection equipment including the doors, alarms and exit signs. It was found that the fire doors were replaced six years prior and, during an inquiry were reported to have had their self-closing mechanisms either broken or missing, meaning many were left open during the night of the fire and allowed poisonous smoke to pour through the lobbies of the tower. It was also found that the door could only hold back fire for half as long as it was supposed to; at just 15 minutes. Following an intense inquiry four years later, the government has now published proposals for what it calls “the biggest change in building safety for a generation”, placing greater responsibility on those designing and constructing buildings to explain how they are managing risks and demonstrating that a building is safe for occupants. A lesson to be learned from Grenfell is the importance of thorough operational checks on vital equipment is paramount. Now accountability has been heightened we are experiencing a high volume of ‘catch up’ across the industry to hit compliance targets. In my opinion this proves the lack of stringent surveys over the past decades but at least things are heading in the right direction at a good speed. Mark Frain of Combined Fire Protection believes a lesson to be learned from the disaster is thorough operational checks on vital equipment. “Now accountability has been heightened, we are experiencing a high volume of ‘catch up’ across the industry to compliance targets. This proves the lack of stringent surveys over past decades but at least things are heading in the right direction.” “We welcome the proposed changes and hopefully this will force landlords and business owners to be more compliant and take preventative measures to ensure that we don’t see the likes of the Grenfell disaster recurring”, added McKay. To understand more on how you can update your building’s fire safety, get in touch with Combined Fire Protection at social@combinedfireprotection.co.uk
Have you ever heard about the five-factor theory and core personality traits that shape every person but still don’t know what it is? If so, keep reading as in this article, you will be able to explore the big five personality traits, their main peculiarities, and how online therapy can help you accurately measure them. Let’s get started! What Are the Big Five Personality Traits? The big five model is the most widely recognized personality theory in the psychology world. Researchers and many people use the acronym OCEAN (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism) that stands for each trait and it’s more convenient and easier to remember. Now, let’s look closer at the 5 traits and see what they mean for your personality. Openness This trait corresponds to your openness to new experiences in life. People with a high score of this trait have plenty of interests, are very curious, and have a wide imagination. They are willing to learn new things, are creative, and adore adventures. On the contrary, people with low scores are more earthy and lack abstract thinking abilities. High Score: high level of creativity openness to new experiences advanced abstract thinking Low Score: are against changes prefer traditional lifestyle with no room for new experiences lack imagination and creativity Conscientiousness This trait is all about the ability to control impulses and a considerable level of thoughtfulness. People with high scores tend to be more organized, cautious, and detail-oriented. Also, very conscientious people love to plan everything ahead and think in advance about how their behavior will affect others. People with low scores have opposite characteristics. They don’t care about being organized and time- or detail-oriented. High Score: great with time management diligent detail-oriented Low Score: dislike structure and deadlines prefer mess over order love to procrastinate Extraversion Extraversion defines the way people interact with others and where they draw energy from. The level of extraversion shows the level of sociability, friendliness towards people as well as emotional expressiveness. People with a high score of extraversion tend to be very excited, talkative, love to interact with others, and communication with people gives them the most energy. Those who have a low level of extraversion, or so-called introverts, don’t like to spend time in a social environment and are more discreet. High Score: love attention enjoy meeting new people and social interactions start new conversations and make new friends easily Low Score: love being alone socialization exhausts them don’t like conversations with strangers Agreeableness This particular trait refers to how people interact with other people in terms of kindness, compassion, altruism, trust, affection, etc. Whereas agreeable people cooperate with others much better, are great team players, and are very helpful, less agreeable people are a bit competitive, suspicious, and even often manipulative. This characteristic is a direct demonstration of behavior and attitude towards other people. High Score: soft-hearted trustful cooperative and ready to help empathetic sympathetic Low Score: stubborn don’t care much about people unsympathetic self-centered Neuroticism The level of neuroticism defines the moodiness and sadness of a person and the overall tendency to negative thinking. People with a high score are emotionally unstable, unpredictable, anxious, and easily irritated. This characteristic shows how a person reacts to challenging life events. High Score: often have mood swings pessimistic stressed-out about difficult situations anxious insecurity Low Score: easily cope with stress relaxed and calm stable mood confident How to Measure Your Big 5 Personality Traits? Now, with access to the Internet, you can simply browse the big five personality traits test online. Usually, it is the list of 50 questions that you have to answer, and based on it you will get your results. It will take you up to 10-15 minutes to take this test and after this, you will learn more about yourself. Keep in mind that each personality is unique and complex and this test can not be 100% accurate when it comes to defining your traits. They can be affected by many factors in different life situations. How You Can Use the Information About Your OCEAN Score? First of all, it will be useful in order to simply know yourself better as well as to understand people around you. By knowing your main personality traits you can enhance your strengths and improve your weaknesses. Speaking of people around, this info can enable you to become a better communicator and learn to resolve interpersonal problems based on your knowledge. In addition, your OCEAN score is extremely important for employers who are looking for the most stable and reliable person to join their team. Recruiters pay close attention to these personality traits and evaluate candidates based on them to make sure a job seeker is the best fit for a position. Also knowing your personality traits will help you find the right job that fits you as a person and will bring you maximum enjoyment in life and in the workplace as well. How Does Online Therapy Can Help You Discover Your Personality Traits? First of all, you will be able to explore your own list of personality traits under the supervision of a licensed therapist. You will have a chance to discuss each of these traits in detail and understand better how each one shapes your life and affects your interpersonal relationships. Once you define your core personality strengths and weaknesses, a therapist can help you work on each characteristic and reveal your best qualities. And of course, online therapy is a perfect opportunity for you to simply talk about your life with an experienced professional and get the desired guidance and emotional support. In case you are going through a challenging period in your life and feel lost or confused, a counselor will hear you out and provide support. You will find your way in life and ease your emotional struggles. Many people opt for online therapy as it’s a great option to have online sessions in the most convenient way for them. There is no
A construction site is a dangerous place; you often hear or watch the news about accidents taking place there. Its surrounding areas are full of heavy machinery, construction materials, and unfinished structures. Also, with numerous workers constructing at the same time, these sites are probably the busiest and most chaotic location to be. Safety precautions can only go so far as keeping passersby and workers safe from injuries. One wrong move and one misstep are all it takes for construction accidents to happen. If you’ve been a victim of an accident on a construction site in Texas, either as a worker or a passerby, then it’s recommended that you contact an expert personal injury attorney San Antonio, TX. Here are some of the reasons why: 1. Compensation For Injuries Legal cases involving construction accidents are complicated for various reasons. Most of the time, construction accidents cause severe injuries. The most common types of injuries that happen in construction sites are: Spinal cord injuries Traumatic brain injuries Broken bones Loss of limbs Burns Electrocution These are all serious injuries that result in costly medical bills, lost wages, diminished capacity to work, and issues in earning a living into the future. The consequences of such can be quite devastating and you’ll need professional personal injury counsel with experience on construction accidents on your side. They can help in documenting these damages to ensure you receive compensation for all the financial damages. Personal injury lawyers can help fight for the rightful reimbursements for your permanent or temporary disabilities and impairments including the future damages caused by such conditions. 2. Prove Liabilities For Injuries Claiming a personal injury compensation can be quite complicated, especially in proving the negligence of another person or manufacturers providing faulty machinery or defective materials that caused your injuries. This is critical for every construction accident claims—victims harmed by another’s actions should always have the right to compensation. Most of the time, both parties or every party involved will likely attempt to shift the blame, making it difficult for you to prove exactly who’s liable for your injuries. A professional personal injury attorney will obtain and look through the evidence to determine exactly who or what caused your injuries. Then, they shall build a strong argument on your behalf. They have enough resources and skills to obtain the evidence needed in building a strong case. A personal injury attorney can: Interview witnesses Reconstruct the accident scene Acquire accident reports Gather medical records Consult experts to validate your injuries’ seriousness 3. Knowledge Of The Law The legal system is complicated. Navigating it alone can be quite intimidating, which is something you shouldn’t experience, especially after obtaining severe injuries. Missing deadlines or misinterpreting information can result in delays to your case which also means delays in receiving the right compensation. A personal injury attorney is familiar with the law and will help you navigate through the complex process. They can handle all the legal stuff so you can focus more on recovering. 4. Understanding Your Insurance Policies Insurance policies are also complicated. Reading through lengthy insurance documents and understanding what each clause means can be confusing. A lawyer can help in checking through your policy, nitpicking at every detail, and ensuring your insurance company is keeping the requirements of your policies. Otherwise, they can provide you with legal options in holding your insurance company accountable. They also assist you in getting the right compensation you deserve. Also, there are several regulations and laws that apply to your personal injury case only expert attorneys can identify and use to your advantage. 5. Calculating The Right Compensation Value When you’re injured on a construction site due to another party’s negligence or wrongdoing, you should receive compensation for damages. These may include your pain, suffering, and financial losses. However, calculating the value for your personal injury claim can be challenging if you’re not familiar with what should be included in the cost. Furthermore, insurance companies will try to convince you to accept low settlement offers and pay as little as possible for your claim. An expert attorney can help in calculating the true value and cost of your personal injury claim so you never have to accept any settlement offers that don’t cover the maximum extent of your losses. Economic damages caused by the construction accident and your injury include financial losses. These are: Lost wages Medical bills Personal care Help with household chores Travel expenses In-home health care Valuing suffering and pain is also something that should be calculated. But how can you place a price on your mental and emotional suffering? How can you value the impact of sustaining permanent disabilities and the loss of quality life? A personal injury attorney understands the impact of these damages. They know how to use the facts and how to build a strong case in order to maximize compensation for your suffering and pain. 6. Save Money And Time Hiring a personal injury attorney can cost you money, but getting their service gives you the possibility to win. By using a personal injury lawyer, you can negotiate a fair settlement for your injuries. They’ll fight and argue for the maximum possible compensation for your damages from your insurance carrier, helping you gain a better award. In addition, partnering with a personal injury lawyer can help you save time. An expert attorney can help you complete all the required legal procedures correctly for the first time around. By avoiding any mistakes in filing your claim, it’ll be processed faster and you can get your compensation at the earliest date possible. Conclusion Construction sites aren’t just a danger for those working on them. The disruption and dislocation caused by these worksites can also jeopardize the safety of passersby and other people in the area. In the unfortunate case that you become a victim of construction accidents, never think twice about getting an experienced personal injury lawyer to help you. They can give you peace of mind as
The latest research by nationwide Buy-to-Let specialist, Sequre Property Investment, estimates that the current bricks and mortar value of the UK’s private rental sector sits at almost £1.4trillion pounds Sequre Property Investment compiled data on the number of current private rented dwellings across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, before looking at the total value of these rental portfolios based on current property values. There are an estimated 5.5m privately rented homes across the UK, accounting for 19% of the entire property market. With the current average UK house price now at a giddy £254,624, this puts the PRS bricks and mortar value as high as £1.4trn. England is home to by far the largest private rental market with 4.8m homes within the sector. This places the total value of the English rental market at £1.3trn based on the current average house price of £271,434. London accounts for a notable 40% of this total market value, with the 1,042,000 rental homes located in the capital valued at nearly £519bn alone. The South East (£234bn) and the East of England (£154bn) are also home to some of the most valuable rental markets, with rental stock in each region estimated to be worth more than £150bn. Outside of England, Scotland ranks as the second most valuable rental market from a property standpoint, with the 371,000 privately rented homes worth nearly £64bn on the market today. In Wales, this current rental market value stands just shy of £38bn, with the Northern Irish private rental market valued at nearly £18bn. Sales Director at Sequre Property Investment, Daniel Jackson, commented: “The private rental market is the backbone of the UK housing sector and plays an incredibly important role in providing homes for those that are unable to overcome the financial hurdles associated with homeownership. Despite this, we’ve seen a number of legislative changes implemented to deter landlords from the sector by a government that clearly has no idea what they are doing. While it may only account for 19% of the total market, reducing the size of the sector would leave many struggling to find an alternative option with regard to their living arrangements.” Table shows the estimated worth of the dwellings within the private rental sector based on the number of dwellings and the current market value of a home in each nation or region. Location All dwellings Private rented Private rented as a % of all Average Property Value Total est value United Kingdom 29,559,777 5,493,830 18.6% £254,624 £1,398,860,363,632 England 24,658,000 4,799,000 19.5% £271,434 £1,302,611,145,489 Scotland 2,650,000 371,000 14.0% £171,448 £63,607,184,256 Wales 1,437,567 204,955 14.3% £184,297 £37,772,604,137 Northern Ireland 814,210 118,875 14.6% £149,178 £17,733,512,868 London 3,634,000 1,042,000 28.7% £497,948 £518,861,773,174 South East 3,985,000 670,000 16.8% £350,016 £234,510,389,824 East of England 2,733,000 497,000 18.2% £310,200 £154,169,527,431 South West 2,604,000 506,000 19.4% £277,603 £140,466,965,340 North West 3,334,000 556,000 16.7% £189,245 £105,220,424,552 West Midlands region 2,537,000 451,000 17.8% £219,793 £99,126,788,132 Yorkshire and the Humber 2,461,000 482,000 19.6% £181,856 £87,654,406,816 East Midlands 2,124,000 391,000 18.4% £216,077 £84,486,121,936 North East 1,246,000 203,000 16.3% £143,129 £29,055,143,233 Average house prices souced from the Gov.uk – UK house Price Index (May 2021 – latest available) Dwellings stock and tenure sourced from Gov.uk, Gov.wales, NRS Scotland and Gov.scot, NISRA and finance-NI-gov.uk
A £7m indoor attraction based on the blockbuster ITV show I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! will open at MediaCityUK later this month following a 32-week project by principal contractor MC Construction. The Salford company carried out enabling and fit-out works at the venue and managed all directly-appointed contractors, including those responsible for themed attraction installations, ticketing, retail fit-out, IT and communications and the building management system. The works were undertaken across the back-of-house, entrance, reception and attraction space and retail areas. Tickets for I’m a Celebrity… Jungle Challenge will go on general sale Wednesday, July 21 and it will open to the public on Friday, July 30 at Quayside MediaCityUK, formerly known as the Lowry Shopping Centre, which is owned by Peel L&P. Continuum Attractions will operate the attraction. During hours of wholesome fun, Campmates will be taken into the heart of the themed jungle setting to navigate a series of fun-filled, physical challenges. Featuring Main Camp, the Throne and Winners Bridge, the action-packed experience will put Campmates’ nerves and agility to the test as they race against the clock in a bid to collect stars and be crowned King or Queen of the jungle. Timed trials will involve scaling The Ascent, with over 8m of vertical rock, racing across the suspended Treetop Trail, swinging round the Jungle Run, taking a leap of faith on Get a Grip and gliding through the trees on a Zipline. Campmates could also find themselves taking on Kiosk Kev and a multiple-choice Dingo Dollar Challenge if the iconic telephone boxes, synonymous with the TV programme, ring out. The attraction will also feature Europe’s first ceiling-mounted Spyrider (*), a high-speed track which whizzes above the jungle canopy. Russ Forshaw, group operations director at MC Construction, a family-owned business which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, said: “We are thrilled to have partnered with ITV on this project supporting the delivery of what will undoubtedly become one of the north west’s best new indoor attractions. “Talented craftsmen and equipment from all over the world were required to produce the fantastic end product. “Co-ordinating the specialists involved and the logistics of this scheme would have been difficult in normal times, but considering the entire project was delivered during the Covid-19 pandemic, I’m really proud of the way our team adapted and went the extra mile to deal with everything that was thrown at them. “Thankfully the construction industry has remained active throughout the pandemic so we’re also very pleased to be a part of a project that will form part of the leisure and tourism industry’s economic recovery.” James Penfold, Controller of Partnerships for ITV Global Entertainment, said: “I’m a Celebrity… Jungle Challenge is a one of a kind, multi-sensory adventure – bringing together the heart and soul of the hugely celebrated series and ITV’s expertise in curating fantastic, memorable live brand experiences for guests and families across the world. “We’re delighted to see the vision for our flagship I’m a Celebrity… Jungle Challenge attraction come to fruition. “MC Construction delivered the finished product to exacting standards and expertly handled the design and logistical challenges associated with the specialist nature of the project and equipment involved whilst following stringent Covid-19 guidelines.” (*) Tickets for Spyrider are limited and will be available to upgrade for £3 once inside the attraction, subject to availability.
Contractor Henry Brothers has broken ground and started work to build a new £4million extension at Glossopdale School, funded by Derbyshire County Council. The new block will provide an additional nine teaching spaces comprising eight standard classrooms and a demonstration science lab. It will also provide flexible options for dining and social spaces and extra staff workrooms. Once finished, there will be room for a further 200 students aged 11 to 16, and 40 additional sixth form places. Construction director of Henry Brothers Midlands, Justin Hicklin, said: “We are excited to have started work on this site to build an extension for Glossopdale School. Henry Brothers built the main school complex, which has proved popular with students, and we are delighted to have strengthened our relationship with the school by being appointed to create this new block as well. “Henry Brothers has partnered with Derbyshire County Council and a number of Derbyshire schools on a variety of projects in recent years, helping them to enhance their facilities, and we are looking forward to building this extension at Glossopdale School to create extra spaces for pupils.” A small ground-breaking ceremony was held to mark the start on site by Nottingham-based Henry Brothers Midlands. Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Alex Dale said: “It’s great news that work has started. “We’ve worked hard to provide the extra places needed and this is a major step forward towards the much-needed expansion of this school.” Headteacher, Debbie McGloin said: “We are really pleased to see this extension move forward and are excited to be able to offer more places for the children in our community.” It is expected that the new block will be completed in spring 2022, allowing more children to attend from September 2022. Other members of the team involved in building the extension at the school in Hadfield are employers agent Concertus, DLA Architecture, civil and structural engineer Curtins and Couch Perry Wilkes for M & E services. Associate director at Concertus Andy Bates said: “We are thrilled to be working for Derbyshire County Council and Henry Brothers to deliver the expansion of Glossopdale Community College. We have extensive experience in providing high-quality educational facilities across the region and are excited to be able to celebrate the early stages of this new facility.” As well as having built the main Glossopdale School facility, which opened in 2018, Henry Brothers is currently building the new £13.2 million Alfreton Park Community Special School, having previously delivered a hydrotherapy pool for the school. The company also completed phase 1 and phase 2 of the Aldercar High School project for Derbyshire County Council, totalling £8.7m in value. Based at Beeston near Nottingham, Henry Brothers Midlands is part of The Henry Group, which comprises a number of manufacturing and construction sector companies, ranging from external construction through to interiors fit-out. In partnership with clients, it has a proven track record in education, defence, accommodation, commercial, industrial, transport and healthcare sectors. For more information, visit www.henrybrothers.co.uk
Harrow council’s ambitious plans for over 1,500 homes to be built on three underused sites moved a step closer with the news of a joint development venture with Wates Residential. At least 40 per cent of the new homes are to be shared ownership or affordable housing and will be built on council-owned land in Wealdstone. Harrow council leader Cllr Graham Henson said: “Our work with Wates will benefit countless local people and improve the lives of generations to come. As we begin to emerge from the devastating pandemic, I want this to signal the start of our renewal.” The ten-year initiative will include a new civic centre, commercial space as well as green public spaces at Poets Corner, Peel Road and Byron Quarter. Local residents will be consulted extensively on the proposals with the plans to come forward later this year on phase one of the Byron Corner. Wates Residential executive managing director Helen Bunch said: “The regeneration goes beyond the building infrastructure, and as part of the partnership with Harrow, we are committed to supporting the local community by providing apprenticeships, new jobs, spend in the local community and early careers support for the local schools and colleges.” New jobs and apprenticeships to be generated Wates Residential plans to create more than 300 jobs for local people and 180 apprenticeships in Wealdstone – the former home of the Kodak Harrow plant which closed in 2016. The housebuilder also said it was investing in local companies and environmental initiatives including a tree-planting project. Wates was identified as a preferred bidder to form a development partnership with the council back in September last year. The council’s equity is made up in part by the value of the three development sites it owns plus a top up to match Wates’s investment, which will be found from borrowing. The long-term business case is projected to return £120m. Property finance brokers Hank Zarihs Associates said that property development finance lenders were keen to offer construction loans for mixed-use schemes in locations with good tube and rail connections.
International engineering federation FIDIC (the International Federation of Consulting Engineers) has expanded the scope of its 2019 agreement with the World Bank which enables the bank to adopt the use of six FIDIC standard contracts until 2024 to now include the FIDIC-ITA Emerald Book form of contract for tunnelling and underground works. FIDIC has extended the terms of its license agreement with the World Bank dated 6 February 2019 to enable the international funding organisation to now use the Emerald Book contract for all underground works contracts under World Bank-financed projects, for which invitations for bids are published on the bank’s website no later than 31 December 2024. Both FIDIC and the World Bank have also agreed that the Conditions of Contract for Underground Works (Emerald book) 2019 will be used as part of the bank’s standard bidding documents for projects that are financed by World Bank until 31 December 2024. The bank already has a licence to refer to six major FIDIC contracts for projects they finance and these mainly include the 2017 Second edition FIDIC contracts, which cover a wide range of international construction and infrastructure work. Commenting on the extension of its agreement with the World Bank to now include the Emerald Book, FIDIC chief executive Dr Nelson Ogunshakin said: “I am delighted that the World Bank has chosen to adopt the use of the Emerald Book and include it in its standard bidding documents. The Emerald Book addresses several critical areas that should lead to the smoother running of contracts in the growing tunnelling and underground works sector and the bank’s move will help to command the respect and authority of the tunnel engineering and construction sector and further underline the fact that both clients and contractors can use this contract with confidence.” FIDIC hopes that the use of the Emarald Book on World Bank-funded projects will herald a new approach for hydropower projects that involve tunnelling and underground works. Large infrastructure projects, including hydropower and dams, are notorious for cost overruns and delays, especially projects with large underground works where the risks are high. The FIDIC-ITA Emerald Book is based on risk sharing principles and was developed through a joint initiative between FIDIC and the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association based on many years of experience. Commenting on the World Bank’s decision to adopt the contract, Professor Jenny Yan, president of the International Tunnelling and Underground Space Association, said: “We at the ITA welcome the World Bank’s decision to utilise advanced and proven contractual mechanisms to deal with subsurface construction risks more fairly and efficiently. The Emerald Book will make dam projects with significant underground works components more efficient to deliver and thereby support sustainable global hydropower energy initiatives.”
Insulation specialist Actis joined dozens of Jewson staff from branches across the North of England this month as they walked 130 miles from Widnes to Hull – and raised £30,000 for charity. It was one of a number of Jewson suppliers which provided activities and information along the route. Actis regional sales director Jemma Harris and area sales managers Karolina Taylor and Louise South manned stands on three of the five days on which the event took place, inviting the Jewson team, their customers and passers by to try their hands at installing Hybris into a mock timber frame in exchange for an Actis branded T-shirt. The event saw staff from 13 branches and seven business units take part, with the proceeds being shared between two charities. Long-estabished Barnardo’s cares for vulnerable children, while Band of Builders helps members of the construction industry when times get tough, through projects, advice and support.