Following continued success in securing new project and research work, OFR Consultants – the UK’s leading independent fire engineering consultancy – has promoted more than one third of its workforce in the past three months. Whilst Manchester-based fire engineer Ruoxi Shi has won the national SFPE (Society of Fire Protection
These days, the low quality of municipal water supply is no surprise to anyone. Some people complain of debris and dirty water, while others are struggling with water shortages. As a result, most homeowners invest in residential wells. Alongside being an incredible resource, it can supply excellent water with minimal
A trading platform is usually software operated by an online broker or independent trader to open, close, and manage market positions. This platform simplifies complicated activities like maintenance of hedge or funded accounts, counting, and adding a pre-determined number of traders per month. As for the growing popularity of Forex
Innovative demolition specialists AR Demolition have used cutting-edge explosive technology to bring down structures at a Leicestershire quarry, in a UK industry first. Continuing its track record for pioneering new technologies, the company has used military-grade hypersonic “kick and cut” charges to bring down a large screen house at Croft
Mainstay Residential has announced a fresh appointment in the north west – expanding its presence into Manchester’s evolving Piccadilly neighbourhood. Mainstay will provide services to the area’s Paradise Wharf development, a trio of schemes – Junction Works, Whittles Croft and Jutland House – perched along the Ashton Canal and close
The Manchester-based developer and asset manager has created three businesses – Unify, Unify Energy, and CubicWorks – to overhaul the way it delivers facilities management, fit-out and utilities services to clients. Unify will provide a range of integrated facilities management solutions, including mechanical and electrical repairs and maintenance, energy, cleaning
Many local high streets were struggling to retain shops even before the coronavirus pandemic struck, however a shopping and eating destination in South Yorkshire reports that it is at full capacity with all its units currently occupied. The Onyx Retail Park, built by Onward Holdings Ltd on the former Manvers
CJM Investment Ltd has secured planning consent from Trafford Council for the creation of a new 367-unit residential development in Trafford Park on the edge of the new Civic Quarter masterplan. CBRE’s Manchester development team is working with the developer to find a delivery partner for the prime residential scheme.
IFA2, National Grid’s fourth interconnector, can provide enough clean energy from France to power 1 million British homes, avoiding 1.2 million tonnes (Mt) of CO2 emissions. By 2024, National Grid’s portfolio of interconnectors will provide enough zero carbon energy to power 8 million homes a year, avoiding a total of
The Green Quarter will deliver, or open up access to, more green space than St James’s Park and Green Park combined Southall and Hayes are set to benefit from a new public park for the whole community to enjoy from early next year at Berkeley West Thames’ newly-named development, The
Following continued success in securing new project and research work, OFR Consultants – the UK’s leading independent fire engineering consultancy – has promoted more than one third of its workforce in the past three months. Whilst Manchester-based fire engineer Ruoxi Shi has won the national SFPE (Society of Fire Protection Engineers) UK Chapter award for Up and Coming Fire Engineer 2020. The 80-strong OFR team operates from UK offices in Manchester, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Bath, Oxford and Leeds and with a turnover exceeding £8M. 22 of those colleagues have now been promoted; four of the promotions have led to eligibility to join the OFR share ownership scheme which continues the long term promises of the business to ensure that leadership and decision making comes from within the team. Speaking about her national award win which recognised, amongst many things, her ‘commitment to becoming an advocate for the fire engineering profession by encouraging others to join the industry after university’, Ruoxi said: “I am thrilled to have been awarded the SFPE UK Chapter’s Up and Coming fire Engineer 2020 accolade – this is a huge testament to my dedication in promoting Fire Engineering as a career as well as promoting STEM careers for women like myself who are from an ethnical minority background.” Some of the promoted colleagues joined OFR as graduates less than five years ago, and their outstanding technical contribution to the business has accelerated their part ownership of the business; director Sam Liptrott, explained: “Investing in and empowering our people is core to our success. We put a heavy financial and pastoral emphasis on giving everyone opportunities and I’m delighted that, even with the challenges of 2020, this has been upheld with the promotion of these inspiring 22 colleagues. “Our long-term plan has, and always will be, to ensure that shared ownership is viable at all levels. Not just a profit share, but genuine ownership. We recognise contribution from all our team members – from established managers to graduates – and this fits our consistent message of being a technical delivery-focussed business.” OFR Consultants was established just five years ago, has quickly developed into an internationally renowned fire engineering consultancy working on some of the most pioneering global projects – from the Google campus in London to the Rothera Research Station in Antarctica. The recent promotions include three new design directors, one associate director, four principle fire engineers, six senior fire engineers, six fire engineers, one finance director and one people and process development co-ordinator. Sam concluded: “Ruoxi’s outstanding award win and the promotions demonstrate our incredible growth as a business since we launched in 2015. To go from an initial team of just two to almost 80 people, shows not only the demand that is out there in the construction market for our specialist skills, but also how we have developed our reputation as the pre-eminent fire engineering consultancy through our work on some of the most exciting projects, both here in the UK and overseas. “Our initial vision was to create a business whereby we continually invest in team talent and I am proud that we have consistently maintained our commitment to that by providing great career opportunities, continued support and training as well as the opportunity to own part of the business as it grows. I congratulate each and every one of our recent promotions and thank them personally for the tenacity and dedication they show on a daily basis. “I look forward to announcing more progression within our superb team at OFR very soon.” For more information about OFR, please visit OFR’s website at www.ofrconsultants.com
These days, the low quality of municipal water supply is no surprise to anyone. Some people complain of debris and dirty water, while others are struggling with water shortages. As a result, most homeowners invest in residential wells. Alongside being an incredible resource, it can supply excellent water with minimal requirements. You no longer have to get municipal water because wells ensure sufficient water supply without hefty water bills. However, some people fail to acknowledge that water well needs servicing and routine maintenance. Are you using well water for the past few years? Sooner or later, you will encounter various water problems of low pressure, especially if you are not taking care of it. You might come across slow dripping water from showers or leaking faucets due to the water pressure fluctuations. After all, well systems rely on a functioning relationship between the pump, pressure tank, and switch. If anything fails, the entire system faces disruption. If you are experiencing similar problems, let us help you out. Here are a few tips for handling low water pressure if you have a water well system. Inspect Pressure Regulators Unlike everything else, water pressure needs to be optimal. If it is low, your dishwasher and washing will struggle, whereas your pipes can be at a threat of damage. Thus, regularly test your home’s water pressure and address the low-pressure problem immediately. Firstly, turn off the water supply of the entire house and use a pressure gauge. Remove the hose from your main water line and attach the pressure gauge to test the water flow. If the reading is below 45psi, check the nearby valves. If any valve gets mounted on the water main, consider adjusting or replacing it to avoid disrupting the water supply. If this doesn’t solve the well pressure tank troubleshooting problem, use a pressure booster pump. It provides a permanent solution as it transfers the fluids from the surface level to the top, letting the water pass through pipes. Unclog the Pipes Despite an efficient plumbing system, people complain of low water pressure. But what if the problem is not in your design? Sometimes, pipes and gate valves get clogged with debris, dirt, and waste material, halting the water supply. Therefore, either call plumbers for inspection and unclogging or give a shot to it yourself. Before anything else, determine if the faulty fixtures or sediments are causing the trouble. Once you are sure, locate the pipes with clogs and detach them from the pump. You can use powerful cleaners to remove the deposits and then restore the line thoroughly. However, if the clogging is extreme or the pipe is rusty, replace them with new pipes with a larger diameter. Besides, use a plunger to blast air pressure into the faucet – a perfect solution for local clogs. Service Your Pressure Tank Whether you have a new pressure tank or an old one, routine maintenance is crucial for smooth functioning. Most pressure tanks build up cavitation and sediments that affect the house’s water pressure. Alongside halting supply, it damages the pipes, reducing their efficiency. Therefore, once in six months, plan a small servicing spree for your tank. Start by unplugging the power of the pumping system and turn on the faucets to drain all water. Use cleaning solutions to remove all the sediments and check air pressure. If the pressure is below 2psi, add some more air before you pour the water back. Adequate air pressure ensures the smooth functioning of water well systems. Replace Gate Valves Are you familiar with gate valves? These are the gates inside the pipes that let the fluids pass through. They require little space with the pipe axis to open and restrict the water flow. However, gate valves have metal seats, which can cause leakages. Similarly, it tends to seize up after some time. Thus, if you have an old gate valve – it might be the reason for inadequate water pressure. At times, these valves also get stuck, meaning they won’t open or close. After all, the metal casing is prone to getting rusty, especially when it comes to water contact. Although you can clean these valves and remove all the debris, there is no guarantee that it would work fine. Hence, replace these gate valves every six months if you have excessive usage to close doors for water disruptions. Low Volume of Aquifer Believe it or not, but some problems of low water pressure are due to the condition of groundwater itself. Every water well system draws water from aquifers and supplies it to the water tank. If there are any underground rock formations, they can affect the groundwater from flowing freely. Although determining groundwater volume is next to impossible, you can always make precise judgments using a pressure pump. If pumping is taking longer than usual, you know where the problem lies. It usually happens when homeowners are withdrawing water for ages. After all, groundwater depletion is a reality that everyone will encounter at some point in time. Are you wondering how to fix it? Either drill the well further into the ground until it reaches particular water well. Otherwise, drill another well at a distant location. Final Word Every homeowner who owns a well also has a pressure tank to ensure adequate supply, yet faces low water pressure. After all, these are also machines that need regular servicing and repairing. If you encounter low water pressure, visually examine the tank’s condition. If it is rusty from every nook and corner, consider it a sign to get a new one. If your tank is not decades old, check pipes and gate valves to understand the root cause of this problem.
A trading platform is usually software operated by an online broker or independent trader to open, close, and manage market positions. This platform simplifies complicated activities like maintenance of hedge or funded accounts, counting, and adding a pre-determined number of traders per month. As for the growing popularity of Forex industry, developers are introducing different types of trading platforms. Some platforms only feature individual companies’ work processes and become invalid to others. So, finding an all-in-one platform that covers most types of trading can often raise a question. This article features MetaTrader software and discusses the diverse aspect of this platform. MetaTrader – A trading platform MetaTrader, or MT for short, is an independent trading appliance that is not bound to represent or company or specific analysis method. This software is free to download, and anybody can reach it from its developers’ website. It is a standard market gadget to analyze the financial market. It includes different signals, mobile trading, and other authoritative market catalysts that enliven a trader’s motivation and enhance their transaction and business experience. It is like the one gateway to access all branches of Forex dealing. The full free online demo version is fully functional and provides all premium services. But those who are looking for the best paltfrom can look for the SaxotraderPro. Visit their website here and see the features. However, without having advanced knowledge, you should not trade with real money. Instead, go for the demo trading experience. MetaTrader’s Features MT wraps all essential tasks a broker undertakes daily. It makes it a great tool for the Forex industry. Market Indicators This master-tool has pre-installed indicators that signal all imminent market events. Besides, an operator can download other customized and free MT indicators from the directory. After downloading them, he can move these indicators to a selected currency pair’s chart. Elegant Expert Advisors Program This exclusive program is one of the most notable features. The “Expert Advisors” are coded in MetaQuotes Lang 4, which allows an operator to implement an automated dealing strategy. He can optimize the program to harmonize with him where necessary. “Expert advisors” is one of few tools that are behind MT’s massive acceptance all over the world. It can be built with the “Meta Editor” function. The device may seem eccentric to new users. However, they can reach several forums and the MQL4 Community for help and guidance. Market Watch This portion will reflect the latest and on the moment market condition. A user will get a comprehensive list of ruling world trends and all the instruments a broker needs to run his exchange business. The “Market Watch” comprises some fundamental units than an investor needs to understand to understand the current situation and figure out a way to achieve their goal. Customization Scope Many brokers underrate this unique and unparalleled feature of the MetaTrader. It offers them with massive customization options to modify almost every element of the software, as necessary. From language setting to chart color selection, the customization gives extreme flexibility to the users. Even they can position every window where they want them to be. Users can formulate their scripts and indicators for any task and exceptional function. Terminal, Trade, & Account History This option can be found in the footer of the website. You can watch the execution of other orders or execute orders yourself here. The trade window shows all open deals at that time. The account history section shows all the details of the past deals till the present date. Alert If the alert tab is activated, it allows setting new alerts for almost every little nuances and events like any update on sale, buy-in, any shift in stock-price, etc. Conclusion No tools come with complete perfection. But when it comes to Forex trading, few instruments will enhance a trader’s productivity like MetaTrader. It is widely revered as an almost self-contained Forex marketing appliance.
Innovative demolition specialists AR Demolition have used cutting-edge explosive technology to bring down structures at a Leicestershire quarry, in a UK industry first. Continuing its track record for pioneering new technologies, the company has used military-grade hypersonic “kick and cut” charges to bring down a large screen house at Croft Quarry. Richard Dolman, CEO of AR Demolition, believes the project is the first time such charges have been used in the demolition industry, without the normal pre-weakening activity usually needed to bring a structure down. Mr Dolman believes the techniques can now revolutionise safety in the industry while minimising danger to on-site personnel. AR Demolition, which is based in Carlton near Market Bosworth, has been working at Croft Quarry since the start of the year after being contracted to complete decommissioning demolition by site owners Aggregate Industries. The explosives work was part of a joint project to demolish the 1,200 tonne screen house as well as 150 metres of conveyor belts at the bottom of the quarry pit. Designed by Wiltshire experts Alford Technologies, the kicking and cutting technique brings together two forms of explosive charge. Mr Dolman said: “No one has used this technology in UK demolition before. It was a project which has taken considerable forethought and planning and we are delighted with the results. “It’s a major stepping stone for us and, in my view, a huge moment for our industry. The fact that you can bring down buildings by severing steel without pre-weakening is a landmark moment. “Alford Technologies have been working on these theories for a long time but, until now, there has been typical reticence in our industry to adopt new technologies. “So I’m pleased to have been able to put the ideas into practice and find new ways of increasing safety in our sector. “It was our first opportunity to test the technology and we have learned lessons along the way. We’re now looking forward to using the method on future projects.” AR Demolition, based in Carlton near Market Bosworth, is making a name for itself as being one of the UK’s most forward-thinking and innovative demolition contractors. The company has invested in cutting-edge Kiesel machinery, while its sister firm AR Aggregates has also invested in two pieces of kit from German manufacturer Kleeman, in a joint bid to improve efficiency, economy and safety performance. Mr Dolman has also pioneered the use of debris protection frames and dust suppression techniques. The new relationship with Alford Technologies, based in Trowbridge, is the latest manifestation of AR Demolition’s mission to bring pioneering change to the sector. Roland Alford, managing director and son of the company’s founder and chairman Dr Sidney Alford, said: “We are proud to have worked alongside such an innovative contractor to have brought this technology into practical, commercial usage. And we look forward to working with AR Demolition on future projects. “We used our Dioplex charges to make a hypersonic blade which cuts through steel like butter, eliminating the need to burn and weaken steel beams. “When combined with the Wallhammer kicking charge to remove the columns, the speed of these military grade munitions means they are relatively easy to control. “Without the need to use human beings on weakening work, safety is greatly increased. If necessary, the charges can be placed by robots thereby removing the human element completely. “The demolition industry now stands to benefit from the evolution of scientific improvements which, combined with the vision of a man such as Richard Dolman, mean that we can shape the future of the industry and improve safety for everyone involved.”
Mainstay Residential has announced a fresh appointment in the north west – expanding its presence into Manchester’s evolving Piccadilly neighbourhood. Mainstay will provide services to the area’s Paradise Wharf development, a trio of schemes – Junction Works, Whittles Croft and Jutland House – perched along the Ashton Canal and close to the renowned Ducie Street Warehouse. The development will be managed under the company’s Integrated Property Management (IPM) portfolio – its holistic solution for higher-end properties with care delivered by an award-winning team. Mainstay’s Associate Director for the North West, Kate Magill, said: “The team is over the moon to have been appointed to manage Paradise Wharf. “On a personal level, I am particularly excited as I’m proud to call Manchester my hometown and have spent most of my working life managing properties in the area. Paradise Wharf has gained a reputation as one of the city’s gems and I intend to treat it as such.” The nearby Ancoats district, recently named as one of the world’s ‘coolest’ neighbourhoods to live in by both TimeOut and The Times, has led to a surge in demand for residential properties in the area. The 114-unit Paradise Wharf development is located close to both Piccadilly Station and the wider city centre – making it a prime choice for both commuters and residents. Mainstay was selected by Paradise Wharf Management Company (PWMCL) following a competitive tender process. The company will officially take post from 1 October. Paradise Wharf Management Company said: “We are really excited to have appointed Mainstay to manage Paradise Wharf. We were really impressed with the approach of Kate and her team. They bring some fantastic experience and have some great ideas to improve the development. We feel that Paradise Wharf is safe in Mainstay’s hands.” Mainstay Residential has experienced exponential growth across the north west, having been retained on Urban Splash’s Castlefield masterplan – including Burton Place, Moho, Timber Wharf and more – for a number of years. The company also recently announced appointments on McGoff’s Downtown scheme in Salford and Royal Quay in Liverpool. Its appointment on Paradise Wharf cements its status as one of the region’s largest and most active property management companies.
The Manchester-based developer and asset manager has created three businesses – Unify, Unify Energy, and CubicWorks – to overhaul the way it delivers facilities management, fit-out and utilities services to clients. Unify will provide a range of integrated facilities management solutions, including mechanical and electrical repairs and maintenance, energy, cleaning and specialist cleaning, while Unify Energy will provide energy as a managed service to help occupiers across Bruntwood’s property portfolio to cut costs. Meanwhile, CubicWorks will offer construction, refurbishment and fit-out services alongside mechanical and electrical design and installation. Chris Oglesby, chief executive of Bruntwood, said: “We’re excited about these three disruptive ventures and their potential to shake-up the provision of FM and contracting services across the UK. “Organisations of all shapes and sizes expect more from their property than ever before and we know what it takes to deliver not just excellent spaces, but excellent experiences and services within them. “So, for us, Unify and CubicWorks are very much a part of our ongoing evolution as a group.” Bruntwood’s chief operating officer Richard Burgess will assume the role of chief executive of Unify. The new business unit employs 350 people, 250 of which have transferred to Bruntwood from its existing FM suppliers. Unify has secured 30 contracts so far, entering its first full financial year with an £8m order book as it continues to target occupiers of commercial office and public sector buildings, national retailers and industrial and logistics occupiers. Unify Energy will offer energy as a managed service and sub-metering to Bruntwood customers and other building landlords and property agents. Its chief executive is Sarah Martin, currently director of utilities at Bruntwood. The aim is to offer an alternative model to the single-meter system typical to multi-tenanted buildings, where landlords and agents have to split energy bills with occupiers based on square footage. Unify Energy, as a fully licensed supplier, can provide metered energy bills directly to each occupier instead, “giving customers and landlords a more accurate and compliant managed energy service”, Bruntwood said. Unify Energy will also explore opportunities on behalf of its clients for on-site energy generation, in line with Bruntwood’s goal of generating 30% of its energy on site by 2030. Meanwhile, CubicWorks will be headed up by three Bruntwood directors – Shan Khambata, Mark Spavin, and Mark Wright. The business will aim to “rip up the rulebook” and adopt a consultative and partnership-led approach to project management. “It is not your average construction refurbishment and fit-out company…more like a construction partner,” according to Bruntwood. The firm has been appointed by developer Bywater Properties to refurbish its £2m Northstar office scheme in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. It will also become a supplier to Bruntwood Works and Bruntwood SciTech. More than 50 employees from Bruntwood’s project contracting team have transferred into CubicWorks.
Many local high streets were struggling to retain shops even before the coronavirus pandemic struck, however a shopping and eating destination in South Yorkshire reports that it is at full capacity with all its units currently occupied. The Onyx Retail Park, built by Onward Holdings Ltd on the former Manvers colliery at Wath-Upon-Deane, is prime retail space within easy reach of the 94,000 local residents living within a 10-minute journey from the site. This shopping hot spot has attracted a cross-section of retail businesses, including SPAR convenience store, and famous fast food chains such as Costa Coffee, Domino Pizzas, Greggs the Baker, Subway and KFC. The excellent choice of successful restaurants and eateries is complemented by Coffee Street, Holy Cow Burger Co, Thai Garden and Onyx Fish Bar and Grill. Other retailers currently located at Onyx are: Online designer babywear business Forever Sewing, which recently snapped up the remaining vacant unit on the site, Vape HQ Manvers, Beauty at Heart, and Barnardo’s. Promoter of the site, Andrew Miller Chartered Surveyors of Sheffield, said: “Now that lockdown restrictions are being relaxed, full capacity at Onyx Retail Park is a reflection of the confidence retailers have in this bustling shopping complex and the opportunities for them to prosper.” Onyx sits adjacent to a new development of 1,100 homes, while an average of 18,000 vehicles pass the site each weekday, according to figures provided by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. The footfall created from this high volume of passing trade provides a strong customer base to the site, making it an ideal location for a wide variety of retail outlets. In addition to Onyx Retail Park, Onward Holdings also offers a range of logistics options to suit most budgets, together with additional value-added warehouse services. The different facilities that the company can supply will help businesses gain a vital foothold in the northern supply chain.
CJM Investment Ltd has secured planning consent from Trafford Council for the creation of a new 367-unit residential development in Trafford Park on the edge of the new Civic Quarter masterplan. CBRE’s Manchester development team is working with the developer to find a delivery partner for the prime residential scheme. Planning approval has been granted for the creation of the residential development on Skerton Road comprising 367 units which is designed across 5 blocks ranging between 5 and 10 storeys. The completed scheme will encompass 166 one-bedroom apartments, 118 two bedroom and 42 three-bedroom apartments which are accompanied by 41 townhouses ranging from one to three bedrooms. The masterplan includes the delivery of onsite parking, landscaped outdoor space, and a clubhouse in the centre of the development which will provide multifunctional space for residents to socialise and exercise, a nod to the site’s former standing as the home to the Northern Lawn Tennis Association. The 3 acre site is located in the heart of Trafford bringing together Trafford Bar and the highly anticipated 135-acre Civic Quarter masterplan which sets out Trafford Council’s 15 year plan to regenerate the area, the new Civic Quarter will bring forward 5 new neighbourhoods and a number of other landmark developments. The iconic sports venues of Old Trafford Football stadium, home to Manchester United, is less than 1 mile away and the Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground less than 0.5 miles away by foot. Along with its superb location, the site has enviable transport links, residents will find Trafford Bar Metrolink station on their doorstep, connecting them to Manchester Airport, the City Centre and many of Greater Manchester’s towns. Trafford Council’s £13.4m cycling and walking route that will incorporate the UK’s first unique cycling junction bringing both Manchester City Centre and the vibrant suburb of Chorlton within easy reach is just 500 metres away and also, of note, Manchester City Centre is easily accessible via the A56 (Chester Road) plus a number of bus services which run throughout Trafford Park. The M602 accessed via the A57 is less than 5 minutes by car. In recent years, the area has experienced a significant and rapidly growing residential and leisure offering including Media City which comprises a 200-acre mixed use development and is the home to ITV, BBC and Kellogg’s, along with great restaurants and a vibrant social scene. John Dunlop, Senior Director in CBRE’s UK Development and Residential team, said; “Having been instructed to work with CJM on this key site in June, it is an excellent result for the team to have secured planning consent to bring it to life. The scheme is an ideal size, location and configuration for the current residential market and as such is set to attract strong interest from potential delivery partners. We are looking forward to engaging with interested parties and to seeing the scheme progress in due course.” Tim Groom from Tim Groom Architects added; “The design of the Trafford Bar project is so that it provides a great mix of homes centred on sense of community and neighbourhood and seeks to diversify the existing housing offering in the area. What sets the development apart from others is that the location is fantastic, offering a suburban lifestyle that benefits being just minutes away from city life and with its large open green space which includes the onsite “Lawn Club” it provides a real focal point for residents to the create their own community.”
IFA2, National Grid’s fourth interconnector, can provide enough clean energy from France to power 1 million British homes, avoiding 1.2 million tonnes (Mt) of CO2 emissions. By 2024, National Grid’s portfolio of interconnectors will provide enough zero carbon energy to power 8 million homes a year, avoiding a total of 100 million tonnes (Mt) of CO2 emissions by 2030. National Grid today launches Britain’s latest interconnector, IFA2. The 149-mile-long power cable runs along the sea bed between Portsmouth, Hampshire in the UK and near Caen, Normandy in France sharing surplus clean energy between the two countries. IFA2 is expected to deliver 1.2% of Britain’s electricity needs, enough to power up to 1 million homes with zero carbon energy. By the end of it’s first year in operation, IFA2 will have helped avoid 1.2 million tonnes (Mt) of CO2 from entering the atmosphere, equivalent to planting 50 million trees. IFA2 is the latest feat of engineering helping to transform Britain’s energy system. In the last decade, Britain’s power grid has decarbonised faster than that of any other developed country with a 64% decline in carbon emissions[1]. Interconnectors have played a critical role in this: every year, National Grid’s three existing interconnectors power the equivalent of 5 million homes with zero carbon energy. This will increase to the equivalent of 8 million homes a year by 2024, as a further three interconnectors are completed, avoiding a total of 100 million tonnes (Mt) CO2 emissions by 2030. That emission reduction equates to taking 2 million cars off the road. Furthermore, as the country’s renewable energy capacity, such as offshore wind, increases, interconnectors will enable Britain to sell any excess renewable energy to neighbouring countries. Despite the pandemic, IFA2 has remained on time and on budget. The 1,000 MW high voltage direct current (HVDC) electrical interconnector is National Grid’s second link to France and is the result of a shared £700 million investment, with partners RTE. UK Energy Minister Kwasi Kwarteng visits IFA2 today as it enters its energisation phase which allows electricity power to run through the cable ready for testing before going live. With the energisation of IFA2, National Grid now has four operational interconnectors – two to France (IFA and IFA2), one to the Netherlands (BritNed) and one to Belgium (Nemo Link). Two further projects are under construction – Norway (North Sea Link, operational 2021) and Denmark (Viking Link, operational 2023). Interconnectors allow the UK to trade clean energy with neighbouring countries, exporting it during times of excess generation, and vice versa. They play a critical role in the UK’s transition to clean energy resources – connecting the UK to hydropower in Norway, wind power in Denmark, and carbon-free nuclear power in France. Jon Butterworth, CEO of National Grid Ventures, said: “While the world is focused on the pandemic and managing the knock-on effects on our lives, we know that progress towards net zero can’t afford to falter and Britain needs to keep up the momentum in reducing harmful carbon emissions. The launch of the IFA2 interconnector, linking France and Britain’s power grids, is an important step in accelerating our progress to a cleaner, greener future.” Kwasi Kwarteng, Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth, said: “The opening of this IFA2 interconnector will provide enough clean electricity to power one million British homes so I am delighted to see this joint venture being launched. “Recent government commitments to the development of our offshore wind infrastructure show how the UK is a world leader in low-carbon energy generation and the IFA2 will allow us to share those benefits with our friends and neighbours in France.”
The Green Quarter will deliver, or open up access to, more green space than St James’s Park and Green Park combined Southall and Hayes are set to benefit from a new public park for the whole community to enjoy from early next year at Berkeley West Thames’ newly-named development, The Green Quarter. The London Borough of Ealing gave the go-ahead for the new park, which will be named Central Gardens, earlier this year, and Berkeley is making progress with its first phase, which will include a new playground inspired by the site’s industrial past, an impressive water feature which will flow the length of the park and a new amphitheatre to host open air events. On completion, the new park will have over 250 new trees and stretch 500m in length, providing 1.8 hectares of newly-accessible open space for the local area – the equivalent size to four football pitches. Future phases of Central Gardens will provide various habitats for wildlife and plants to thrive such as woodland and wetlands, which are being designed in partnership with London Wildlife Trust. Fitness enthusiasts will benefit from outdoor gym equipment while fitness routes are planned to connect into The Green Quarter’s other open spaces and beyond into the neighbouring Minet Country Park. Cultural art elements and information boards across the park will educate residents and the local community on the history of the site and the various plants and animals present within the development and across Ealing. The Green Quarter, previously named Southall Waterside, is one of London’s most ambitious regeneration projects, which is transforming a former industrial site between Southall and Hayes into one rich in biodiversity and nature. On completion, The Green Quarter will be home to 13 acres of new green space, connecting local communities and encouraging outdoor living. Berkeley has rebranded the development to better reflect this vision and to highlight the fantastic open space and nature recovery, where flora and fauna can thrive. Central Gardens is one of two new parks planned at The Green Quarter, and overall plans for the site include two new footbridges which will allow easy access into the 90-acre Minet Country Park, which borders the western side of the site. More than a kilometre of frontage alongside the Grand Union Canal has been opened up to the community, further adding to the new space available. The new green space will sit on the same site as 3,750 homes and new amenities to benefit the local area. The first phase of homes for sale will be launched soon. Ashley Kensington, Managing Director at Berkeley West Thames, said: “Through the new parklands being delivered at The Green Quarter, we’re more than doubling the accessible open space in the Southall Broadway ward. Central Gardens is for everyone in Southall, Hayes and the local area to enjoy, and opening it early next year will be an important milestone in The Green Quarter moving from concept to reality. “The Green Quarter is a remarkable development with nature and greenery at its heart – we’re transforming a former industrial gasworks site and delivering, or opening up access to, more green space than St James’s Park and Green Park combined. “Construction of the new park is really coming along, but we’re also making good progress with the new homes and we can’t wait to launch our first phase of residential sales soon.” Ahead of the new park, development of new homes at The Green Quarter is already well underway. Some 304 new affordable homes have been delivered in partnership with Catalyst Housing Association and Clarion Housing Association.