If you’re taking your DIY game to the next level and have your sights set on cementing the base for your own shed, read these tips before you start. Once you know how to pour concrete, you’ll find that you can quickly increase the value of your home, should you
Modern businesses need access to reliable internet if they’re to function. If a substantial portion of the workforce are self-isolating thanks to COVID-19, then this need becomes especially pressing. But for decision-makers weighing the cost of investing in new broadband technology, the breadth of options can be a little bit
Brand new 437,000 sq ft warehouse/industrial unit took 8 months to build and was completed for Evans Property Group GMI Construction Group has today announced the completion and handover of a new 437,000 sq ft warehouse/industrial development for long standing customer Evans Property Group at the Fradley Park development in
GRAHAM has secured a “Building Repairs and Maintenance and Minor Works” contract with Worcester City Council. The leading contractor will deliver reactive maintenance, planned maintenance, minor works projects and out of hours emergency works over an initial five year term, with the potential for a further two-year extension. Worcester City
20,000 Sq Ft Supermarket Constructed On Behalf Of S Harrison Developments Leeds-based Castlehouse Construction has handed over a new build Lidl on James Street in York. The supermarket has been built on behalf of Yorkshire property and development company, S Harrison Developments, which has transformed the 2.36 acre disused site
Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) has overseen the completion of the third and final phase of St. Modwen Park Doncaster. Having masterplanned the whole 27-acre site, SGP successfully designed and delivered the last £7 million phase, comprising more than 108,000 sq ft of industrial space, in February 2020. Working
Shruti Trivedi, partner and head of planning at Roythornes Solicitors, comments on housing secretary Robert Jenrick’s planning proposals announced this morning following the Budget. She said: “The commitment being proposed by the government this morning should be welcome news for the industry, particularly in relation to the promise of significant additional funding to support the aims outlined by MP Robert Jenrick. “As with most cases however,
Maintaining its proud association with North East England, Cleveland Bridge UK has secured another project in the region to manufacturer a new structure in South Tyneside. As part of Highways England’s A19 Testo’s Junction Improvement Scheme, the Darlington-based company has been awarded the project by smart infrastructure solutions company Costain
Derbyshire construction firm Wildgoose Construction, headed up by new managing director Andrew Tilford, continues to expand its management team having secured £20m of new contracts during the first two months of 2020. Wildgoose Construction, based in Alfreton, has seen steady growth against an uncertain backdrop in the construction industry over
The regeneration of key areas of Warrington is part of a 20-year vision held by Warrington Borough Council but evidence of that vision yielding results are very much visible today. A priority for the Council has always been the provision of affordable housing and over recent years, working with preferred
If you’re taking your DIY game to the next level and have your sights set on cementing the base for your own shed, read these tips before you start. Once you know how to pour concrete, you’ll find that you can quickly increase the value of your home, should you wish to sell. Or simply improve your curb appeal. Who wouldn’t prefer a sleek new driveway vs an old cracked weed infested entrance? The Risks Involved With substantially more risks involved with cement pouring vs your average DIY project, there are even more if you decided to do this in winter. Be aware of these hazards before you decide if laying a cement foundation is something you want to do. Let’s look at the potential risks involved: – Slips and falls – Eye irritation – Breathing difficulty – Chemical burns – Severe skin dryness – Improper lifting Injuries Most of these risks are easily managed with the right safety gear and basic awareness. Slips Trips and Falls The most common hazard in everyday life. But concrete takes it a step further. Now it is your responsibility to create a surface that is safe to walk on. Finishing the concrete slab with a too smooth surface is very dangerous particularly if outside and could get wet. A smooth wet surface is just asking for slips and falls. You can easily achieve a safe surface texture with a broom. Use a contractor’s broom to achieve consistent lines by using overlapping parallel strokes. You can determine the smooth-rough texture by wetting the broom during this process. Wear appropriate concrete boots when pouring cement. If you’ll be standing in wet concrete, wear long rubber boots and be sure to have a safety toe for foot protection. The most suitable footwear is easy to clean and has a non slip outsole. Eye Irritation & Breathing Difficulty Dry concrete is a light powder that can get into eyes, nose or mouth of anyone nearby. This powdery mixture can cause respiratory irritation. It can even lead to infection or illness. Wear suitable HEPA-filter respirator protective equipment as specified by OSHA standards and minimize dust as much as possible. If you can avoid sanding or cutting cement then don’t do it and avoid the dust it creates. Are you working on a larger area surface? It might be sensible to have a cement company mix the concrete off site and deliver it in a cement mixing truck. Chemical Burns & Severe Skin Dryness Wet cement is dangerous. If you experience direct contact with it, severe skin reactions can be expected. Some reactions can include chemical burns, dermatitis, blistering amongst other unwanted and painful side effects. Your skin is damaged not only by the chemicals but by the intense moisture extraction that leaves your skin damaged and vulnerable. “So just use a bit of moisturising lotion” you might think? Lotion is no match for this type of damage. There have been cases where cement contact has caused amputations. Rather safe than sorry and protect yourself. When working with wet cement, cover as much of your skin as possible with tall boots, long pants tucked into your waterproof boots, long shirts, jackets or overalls, alkali-resistant gloves and goggles to protect your eyes. You will also have access to an emergency washing area should you come into skin contact with wet cement. OSHA reports that cement workers suffer 4x more work absence days vs construction workers. Improper lifting Injuries This is a constant risk from gardening to office workers to the construction site, but cement workers suffer the most again, with these types of injuries. Cement bags are heavy even if they are “only powder”. Make sure to lift bags with a friend and use your legs. After lifting with your back, one of the most common issues is twisting whilst carrying heavy items. Ideally you would use a forklift on anything over 50 lbs. Another option is to roll a heavy item or half the load. Divide and conquer by simply 1) buying smaller concrete bags or 2) scooping it safely into a seperate container and make 2 or more trips to the oversized bag. You can review safe lfting techniques on the OSHA website here. Conclusion I hope you are more prepared when approaching your new DIY task and can plan accordingly. Take a few basic precautions as discussed and you are good to go. There is no better feeling than coming home every day and admiring that new driveway you constructed. Enjoy your new project and above all be safe out there! If you have questions, leave them below! Author Bio Maya Fleischer is an enthusiastic DIY-er, writer and editor at TheFootFacts. She has a passion for researching & building projects in a new (possibly improved!) method and enjoys sharing useful safety ideas she’s gathered on her journey.
Modern businesses need access to reliable internet if they’re to function. If a substantial portion of the workforce are self-isolating thanks to COVID-19, then this need becomes especially pressing. But for decision-makers weighing the cost of investing in new broadband technology, the breadth of options can be a little bit on the confusing side. Just what are all of these types of internet connection, and what do they mean? Let’s take a look. Fibre Broadband The gold standard for broadband speed is fibre-optic. This relies on pulses of light being transmitted along optical fibres. There’s no resistance to worry about, and the signal does not degrade in the same way that an electrical one would. Traditionally, the signal from the telephone company will arrive at your local cabinet via a fibre-optic connection, and then be distributed locally over copper wire. This is known as a fibre-to-the-cabinet, or FTTC, connection. FTTP Fibre-to-the-Premises, or FTTP, is a much rarer technology. It eliminates all of the copper from the signal chain, resulting in blazing-fast speeds. By making the switch to ‘full-fibre’, where the entire signal chain takes place over a fibre-optic connection, you’re effectively bringing the telephone exchange closer to your place of work. Unfortunately, this is impracticable in many cases. One solution posited by Openreach is the introduction of a compromise called G.fast, which effectively speeds up existing fibre lines. ADSL Broadband Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line has been around for decades. It isn’t anywhere near as fast as fibre broadband, but it still accounts for more than half of the UK’s broadband connections at present. This proportion is likely to decrease as fibre-optic infrastructure is rolled out. Those in more remote and rural locations may find that they’re unable to get access to full-fibre, despite government pledges of £5 billion to get the infrastructure expanded. In most cases, ADSL represents the inferior option. With that said, this is often reflected in the pricing, and many businesses will not have a choice but to go with it. By investing in the right hardware and connectors from RS Components, you’ll be able to eliminate performance bottlenecks within the premises, and ensure that you’re squeezing maximum utility from the older tech. 5G One option that mobile workers might be interested in is 5G, which promises to allow for rapid-streaming video from just about anywhere where the signal allows. One of the biggest advantages of 5G is its ability to tolerate large gatherings without any dip in service – though given recent events, it’s unlikely that this virtue will be leveraged in the near future.
Brand new 437,000 sq ft warehouse/industrial unit took 8 months to build and was completed for Evans Property Group GMI Construction Group has today announced the completion and handover of a new 437,000 sq ft warehouse/industrial development for long standing customer Evans Property Group at the Fradley Park development in Lichfield. The unit which took 8 months to build features 407,000 sq ft of warehouse space together with 30,000 sq ft of CAT A office accommodation and is immediately available for occupation. The development is the latest major project to be completed by GMI on Fradley Park having previously completed a giant 800,000 sq ft regional distribution centre in a record breaking 28 weeks for leading supermarket retailer Tesco. Speaking about the development, GMI Divisional Managing Director Marc Banks said: “Fradley Park is a stand-out location for logistics and home to many leading, well known brands. In the last 12-18 months GMI have been constructing and developed in excess of 10 separate logistics/industrial development projects, and so this further serves to underpin our credentials in this important sector which continues to experience strong growth” Architects on the project were Kilmartin Plowman & Partners with JPG serving as structural engineers and Richard Boothroyd Associates the Employers Agent Set within 350 acres, Fradley Park offers a first-class location for warehousing distribution and manufacturing with opportunities for both existing buildings and build to suit developments from 50,000 sq ft to 230,000 sq ft. Fradley Park is at the heart of the country’s motorway network being 4.5 miles from T4 and T5 of M6 Toll Road. Located on the A38, it has excellent access to the M1, M42, M40, M6 and A50 and close to both Birmingham International and East Midlands airports.
GRAHAM has secured a “Building Repairs and Maintenance and Minor Works” contract with Worcester City Council. The leading contractor will deliver reactive maintenance, planned maintenance, minor works projects and out of hours emergency works over an initial five year term, with the potential for a further two-year extension. Worcester City is the county town of Worcestershire and covers an area of circa 33 square kilometres. It is situated in the West Midlands, approximately 17 miles southwest of Birmingham. Commencing on April 1st, 2020, GRAHAM will be responsible for over 70 properties and sites within the Council’s local government boundaries, ranging from public buildings and associated structures, to depots, offices, community centres, historic parks, allotments and communal areas. The buildings include the Grade I listed Guildhall, dating back to 1721, and the Museum and Art Gallery, which was established in 1833. The measured term partnership with Worcester City Council will be managed from the newly opened GRAHAM office in Wythall, bordering Solihull and Birmingham. Commenting on the contract award, GRAHAM Operations Director, Gareth Smyth, said: “This latest success is another important milestone for GRAHAM in the Midlands and reflects our quality delivery, professionalism and expertise in the area. Worcester is a beautiful cathedral and university city with a suite of historic buildings.” “We look forward to bringing our collaborative approach to facilities management to Worcester City Council in support of the local community and over 100,000 residents.”
20,000 Sq Ft Supermarket Constructed On Behalf Of S Harrison Developments Leeds-based Castlehouse Construction has handed over a new build Lidl on James Street in York. The supermarket has been built on behalf of Yorkshire property and development company, S Harrison Developments, which has transformed the 2.36 acre disused site into a 20,000 sq ft Lidl, creating circa 40 new jobs for the local area. The new Lidl, which backs onto Foss Island Retail Park, forms part of the retailer’s target to open 1000 stores in the UK by the end of 2023. It boasts 130 parking spaces, including four bays with EV charging and is the second Lidl to open in York, the first being on Thanet Road. Phil Dewell, Construction Director, Castlehouse Construction commented: “We are delighted to work with S Harrison Developments to complete the York Lidl store which supports the retailer’s ongoing store expansion and regeneration programme in the UK. It’s rewarding to see a site that has languished for years changed for the better and to serve the local community.” Andrew Wharton, Project Manager, S Harrison Developments said: “It is hugely positive news to see investment on this scale in this part of York on a site that has had many uses over the years, from waste disposal site and packaging factory to a storage facility for tv props. The two large industrial buildings had fallen into disrepair, so it was an exciting development to work on, which ultimately will support the economic sustainability of the local area and create jobs, as well as being a great place to shop.”
Stephen George + Partners LLP (SGP) has overseen the completion of the third and final phase of St. Modwen Park Doncaster. Having masterplanned the whole 27-acre site, SGP successfully designed and delivered the last £7 million phase, comprising more than 108,000 sq ft of industrial space, in February 2020. Working with St. Modwen and Lindum Construction, SGP designed the three units of 34,464 sq ft, 21,614 sq ft and 53,072 sq ft to complete the 247,000 sq ft development, which was granted outline consent in March 2016. SGP designed and delivered the first two phases of the park in 2016 and in 2017, and the speculative units were quickly occupied by Bosch Automotive, DB Schenker and Thornhill Engineering. Steven Clegg, Principal Architectural Technologist at SGP, said: “The project provides accessible and adaptable space in a modern envelope that uses robust yet cost effective materials. The clean, crisp contemporary design appeals to a wide cross section of users and has been well received in the market.” Rob Richardson, Senior Development Manager at St. Modwen Industrial & Logistics, added: “We are delighted to have worked with SGP on this scheme and to have reached completion of the third and final phase. The new warehouses are testament to our ability to bring forward much-needed industrial and logistics development and we look forward to welcoming businesses to these new, high-quality units.” Built on an established 27-acre brownfield site off Wheatley Hall Road, one of the main arterial routes into the city, the business park offers versatile high bay warehouse and office space, with separate parking and yards and segregated access to each area.
Shruti Trivedi, partner and head of planning at Roythornes Solicitors, comments on housing secretary Robert Jenrick’s planning proposals announced this morning following the Budget. She said: “The commitment being proposed by the government this morning should be welcome news for the industry, particularly in relation to the promise of significant additional funding to support the aims outlined by MP Robert Jenrick. “As with most cases however, the devil is in the detail. It will therefore be interesting to see if the promises and aspirations, such as the deadlines for local plans being put in place and ensuring greater transparency over land ownership, are met in practice with tangible legislation or a regulatory framework that can be legitimately monitored and enforced. “Measures such as working within the permitted development rights regime have historically been put to good use and so those provisions – at the very least – should be welcomed by many as having realistic prospects of being successful. “In any event, we will have to carefully monitor developments to see what changes are forthcoming and to be proactive and quick to capitalise on opportunities that will benefit our clients.”
Maintaining its proud association with North East England, Cleveland Bridge UK has secured another project in the region to manufacturer a new structure in South Tyneside. As part of Highways England’s A19 Testo’s Junction Improvement Scheme, the Darlington-based company has been awarded the project by smart infrastructure solutions company Costain Ltd to fabricate and install a new 141.4m bridge at the centre of a flyover. Further alleviating traffic congestion on the redeveloped roundabout that connects the A19 with the A184, the flyover is part of a five-year £15bn programme by Highways England to improve journeys between the main North East arterial route and the surrounding areas. To date two additional lanes on both northbound and southbound sides of the roundabout have been completed, which has also created the space for the construction of the flyover that includes the installation of more than 130 concrete piles. The 1,393te weathering grade road bridge will be fabricated as a series of 25 paired girders at Cleveland Bridge UK’s 27,000 square metre production facility, 40 miles south of the project site. The scale of Cleveland Bridge UK’s factory will also enable it to undertake a test assembly of the structure, which will ensure a more efficient final installation on site later this year. Cleveland Bridge UK has a pedigree for the production of steel road bridges for major infrastructure projects, dating back to its formation in 1877, not only in North East England, but around the world. It is renowned for producing structures crossing rivers and road networks ranging from the iconic Tyne Bridge and Sydney Harbour bridges to, more recently, the Lincoln Eastern Bypass and the largest road improvement project in England, the A14 Cambridge to Huntington. Chris Droogan, Managing Director of Cleveland Bridge UK, said: “We are highly active in markets across the world, but it is always satisfying to secure projects in our home region of the North East, particularly those that will bring significant benefits to the efficiency of the area’s transport network. “We are also very proud to continue our long-term collaborative relationships with Highways England and Costain and look forward to the successful delivery of this project.”
Derbyshire construction firm Wildgoose Construction, headed up by new managing director Andrew Tilford, continues to expand its management team having secured £20m of new contracts during the first two months of 2020. Wildgoose Construction, based in Alfreton, has seen steady growth against an uncertain backdrop in the construction industry over the past 12 months despite suffering from the effects of a series of delays to new projects starting on site during 2019. The recent project awards include 77 houses at Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes, for Paradigm Housing Association, a 60-bed care home for Avery Healthcare at Monsell Gardens, Leicester and 22 homes at Marston Montgomery, in Derbyshire as part of a development for sister company, Wildgoose Homes. Alongside Andrew’s recent appointment to managing director, other departments within the 120-year-old construction company have also been bolstered with the appointment of a new Head of Design Management, two new design and build managers and the further bolstering of the operational delivery teams. The new structure has also opened up opportunities to new staff joining the industry including a University Placement student and a Management Trainee. Executive Chairman Jonathan Wildgoose said: “We have made a significant investment in personnel at Wildgoose Construction alongside the appointment of Andrew as our new managing director. “We are one of the largest and oldest family owned construction businesses in the region with a strong history of more than 120 years and we are investing in the future with this new generation of Wildgoose employees who will help us to take this business from strength to strength. “We are delighted to have secured preferred contractor status on several national frameworks and we also have a healthy order book going forwards after a challenging year, which has seen delays to several contracts starting on site because of various marketplace factors that are affecting the construction industry as a whole.”
The regeneration of key areas of Warrington is part of a 20-year vision held by Warrington Borough Council but evidence of that vision yielding results are very much visible today. A priority for the Council has always been the provision of affordable housing and over recent years, working with preferred development partner, Torus, huge progress has been made. With a portfolio of more than 8,000 homes in Warrington, Torus – the largest provider of social housing in the borough – has a commitment to creating stronger, more sustainable communities through regeneration that supports wider economic growth. Working closely with Warrington Borough Council to identify areas in need of direct investment, the group is currently developing 466 homes in Warrington with a further 130 in the pipeline. This investment will total around £75m. These homes, in areas including Bewsey and Dallam, Padgate, Orford, Burtonwood, Stretton, Appleton and the town centre, will be available for both rent and ownership, through affordable solutions like shared ownership (part buy/part rent) and rent to buy. In Academy Street, close to the newly rejuvenated Times Square, Roebuck Plaza, a development of 144 apartments is quickly taking shape and will offer a choice of one and two bedroomed apartments available through rent to buy. This scheme helps make the transition from renting to buying easier and more affordable by offering a subsidised rent with the option to purchase after 5 years and is an ideal option for first time buyers and downsizers alike. Managing Director of Torus Developments, Chris Bowen said: “As one of our key heartlands, Warrington, its communities and the people who live in them are a priority for us. “Our vision is to grow stronger communities and providing affordable housing plays a huge role but it’s only part of what we do. “Any profit we make from the sale of our homes is reinvested back into our communities where our charity, Torus Foundation helps people maximise their income, find work and improve their chances in life. Not only does this add real value to the work we do, it supports the Council’s wellbeing agenda.” Warrington Borough Council Leader, Cllr Russ Bowden, said: “We know how important it is to provide a diverse mix of housing which meets the needs of all of our residents, from first time buyers and growing families to older residents and vulnerable people. That’s why I’m delighted to see such a range of properties being delivered, offering so much choice – including affordable rent, shared ownership and rent-to-buy. I’m also delighted that every single one of these homes is being built on brownfield sites.” But the focus for Torus isn’t all about young families and first-time buyers. At a time when Council budgets for adult health and social care are under considerable pressure, Torus is partnering with the local authority to offer homes for over 55s that are designed to support active and independent aging in housing where on-site care is available as needs change. Harpers Green a flagship extra care facility in Padgate, developed by Torus, is due to handover in May this year and will offer 97 homes for older people available for affordable rent and shared ownership. Two further schemes for over 55s in Orford and Appleton are also planned. Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Maureen McLaughlin said: “These homes are being developed with inclusive communities and health and wellbeing in mind, helping older people continue to live independently, and – through the Torus Foundation Charitable Trust – helping to tackle deprivation by providing help and advice over bills and benefits, upskilling residents and creating new opportunities for people. This supports key aspects of our own health and wellbeing agenda. “Seeing all of these fantastic projects either on site or being brought forward is testament to how effective partnerships can help us deliver great things. It’s about regenerating communities, meeting the needs of our growing town, putting residents’ health and wellbeing first and building a better future for Warrington.”