St Helens Borough Council is advancing proposals to revive the disused Sutton Oak Rail Line as a green corridor, with the option to accommodate rail or other transport in the future. Branded the Sutton Oak Link, the initiative follows a feasibility study that highlights strong potential and a compelling business case to turn the historic route into a people-first movement corridor connecting existing neighbourhoods and new developments along its length. Reusing this piece of the borough’s industrial heritage as a modern transport spine could unlock significant benefits, complementing the recent award of £20m in Pride in Place funding from the Government. The scheme is intended to reconnect communities and key destinations between St Helens Central and St Helens Junction stations, including the Moss Nook housing development in Sutton, St Helens Hospital and The Brewdog Stadium. It aims to provide a safe, inclusive route for walking, cycling and wheeling; create attractive green spaces that enhance leisure opportunities and biodiversity while tackling anti-social behaviour; encourage healthier travel choices to relieve persistent congestion pinch points; and rationalise and improve bridges along the line. The Council’s feasibility work confirms that progressing the initial Sutton Oak Link concept would not preclude the future reinstatement of passenger rail services. Further assessment would be required to evaluate the benefits, costs and practical challenges of different options. The Sutton Oak Rail Line was part of the St Helens and Runcorn Gap Railway, which opened on 21 February 1833 to carry coal from St Helens to the River Mersey, later supporting passenger services between St Helens Central and St Helens Junction. Regular passenger services ended in 1951, with freight and occasional diverted passenger services continuing until 1987. The last freight train ran in September 2002. The corridor is currently inaccessible, creating a physical divide between communities and suffering from overgrowth, littering and anti-social behaviour. Councillor Kate Groucutt, Cabinet Member for Business and Inclusive Growth, said: “The emerging Sutton Oak Link scheme presents a transformational opportunity to create a safe, attractive and accessible movement corridor that links our neighbourhoods and breathes new life into this historic route. By opening up this space, we could deliver real benefits for investment, the environment and our communities.” The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has identified the Sutton Oak Link as a priority for phased investment through its new £1.6bn Transport for City Region (TCR) Fund, secured in June and confirmed by the Chancellor ahead of this year’s Spending Review. Funding is expected to be available from 2026 to support early-stage design, planning and further business case development. The Council will now undertake a detailed, multi-stage programme of structural assessments, design work and community engagement ahead of submitting a full business case. Councillor Groucutt added: “This scheme shows how we can lead the way in reimagining our historic infrastructure for the future. The Sutton Oak Link could become a flagship example of how modern transport, heritage, the environment and community wellbeing can go hand in hand.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Today marks a very special day at Trident Building Consultancy. As a proud B-Corp company, we take sustainability extremely seriously, both in terms of helping our clients become more sustainable and ensuring our own operations are optimised, as well. But now, we are taking a giant leap forward in this vital area of our industry. We are launching a brand-new division – Sustainability Services– to cement our position at the forefront of the construction sector’s journey to net zero. To head up this division, we have appointed a highly respected and deeply knowledgeable expert, Darren Berman. Darren brings with him 25 years of experience in sustainability, including building a consulting team focused on decarbonisation, renewables and sustainable design which played a leading role in helping the GLA and London authorities pioneer the first sustainability-led planning policies. After this, Darren went on to establish CRBE’s sustainability practice and then led JLL’s sustainability team, shaping strategies for public bodies, corporates and investors, including some of the sector’s first climate risk frameworks and net zero strategies Darren’s leadership of Sustainability Services will significantly enhance Trident Building Consultancy’s services in sustainability. The new division will manage risks in acquisition, optimise sustainability in development and refurbishment; and help portfolio owners and occupiers to reduce their environmental impact and maximise social value across their operations. This will be achieved through a host of new services, focused on: Darren said: “My new role at Trident is all about helping clients make a tangible impact, whether through developing new buildings or repositioning existing ones to guard against obsolescence, manage climate and regulatory risks, and deliver cost-effective pathways to net zero while meeting tenants’ ESG expectations.” Managing Director, Dan Roe, described Darren’s appointment as a huge addition to the business. He said: “We have launched our Sustainability Services division  to help the construction and property sectors take the steps they need to do to achieve new zero and create social value. “With Darren at the helm, I am confident that we will be able to make a huge difference in the area of sustainability.” To learn more about our new sustainability services, please click here: Delivering Impact  or to get in touch with Darren, please email: darren.berman@tridentbc.com. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Construction on Huddersfield Our Cultural Heart regeneration programme is progressing, with the first phase well under way. Phase 1 includes a new library hub, food hall and public square, with completion planned for summer 2026. The library will also accommodate the West Yorkshire Archive, and a preferred tenant has been identified to operate the food hall. Plans for Phase 2 are due to be considered on 9 September by Kirklees Council’s Cabinet. This stage of the scheme will see the former library redeveloped into a combined museum and art gallery, alongside significant improvements to the surrounding public realm. If approved, construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2026 and complete in spring 2029. Preparations are also being made for the demolition of the remaining Piazza retail units in 2026, paving the way for the delivery of a new town centre park in Phase 3. Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration, said: “Cabinet will be asked to approve the next steps to keep this transformation moving forward. Residents will see the first results when the new library hub, food hall and public square open in 2026, and we are already preparing for the phases that follow, including the museum & gallery and a brand-new town centre park. This is about building a town centre that works for everyone — families, businesses, students and visitors — while making sure we do it in a way that is affordable and sustainable for the future.” The Our Cultural Heart scheme, as part of the Huddersfield Blueprint, is designed to create hundreds of new jobs, support existing businesses and attract new investment, while providing free-to-access spaces for residents and visitors. It will also act as a catalyst for wider regeneration, complementing other major projects in Huddersfield and wider Kirklees district. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Leeds City Council has launched a public consultation on new planning guidance that could pave the way for the large-scale regeneration of land surrounding Elland Road football stadium, potentially delivering a multi-billion-pound boost to the city’s economy. The draft ‘Elland Road 2025 Informal Planning Statement’ outlines a vision for transforming around 30 acres of land, primarily owned by the council, into a new mixed-use neighbourhood. The plans include up to 2,000 new homes, high-quality public spaces and a range of leisure and commercial opportunities. The regeneration area could accommodate new community amenities such as a sports arena, hotel accommodation, and flexible workspaces. There is also scope for educational facilities linked to health, sport, and wellbeing, reflecting international examples where major stadiums have become the centrepieces of wider urban renewal. Proposals also cover the future of the temporary park and ride facility currently operating on the site. Subject to evidence of demand, one or more multi-storey car parks could be built to serve both the local community and visitors, particularly on matchdays. The development of the area would be phased over a 20-year period to ensure the local highway network can accommodate changes without negatively impacting neighbouring communities. The consultation comes as the council looks to refresh planning guidance for the site for the first time since 2007, taking into account changing conditions across Leeds and progress on Leeds United’s proposed stadium expansion. The land has been earmarked for redevelopment for several years, but recent momentum has prompted the council to update its vision in line with current and future needs. As part of the process, local residents will be contacted to share their experiences regarding parking issues in the area, with the council exploring the potential introduction of new parking restrictions to ease pressure on surrounding streets. Alongside housing and leisure developments, the draft guidance also emphasises improved transport links. Plans include enhancements to walking and cycling infrastructure to better connect Elland Road with the wider city and promote sustainable travel options. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

EDGE, a leading multi-disciplinary property and construction consultancy, has been appointed to the North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium (NEUPC) framework – further strengthening its position as a trusted partner in the higher education sector. With local offices in Newcastle and Leeds, EDGE is perfectly placed to support the NEUPC’s network of higher education institutions across the North East of England. NEUPC is a professional buying organisation working on behalf of its North-East (NE5) members, which include Northumbria, Sunderland, Newcastle, Teesside and Durham universities. The two-year NEUPC framework, which includes an option to extend by four more years, enables EDGE to provide construction project management services on up to £6.6 million worth of projects per year – supporting the development of campus facilities and driving the decarbonisation of university estates. EDGE is at the forefront of the higher education sector, working closely with its partners to address the challenges faced with declining enrolments, financial constraints and funding cuts, estate space utilisation and the transition towards net zero. Hughie Clarke, Business Development and Marketing Director at EDGE, commented: “We’re extremely proud to have been appointed to the NEUPC framework and look forward to continuing to grow strong relationships with the many great institutions across the North East of England. As a business, we are hugely invested in the North East and understand the priorities and pressures currently facing our universities in the region. “EDGE is now firmly established as a specialist in higher education, with deep sector understanding and the ability to support universities with their ever-evolving needs. Frameworks bring real value – helping simplify procurement, accelerate project start times, and providing greater assurance on costs and deliverability.” The appointment adds to EDGE’s growing number of higher education clients and framework awards across the UK, supporting the likes of University of Birmingham, University of Greenwich, University of Reading, University of Nottingham, Loughborough University, Keele University, Nottingham Trent University, University of Sheffield and Manchester Metropolitan University. Notably, EDGE is working on the University of Leeds’ £150 million strategy to achieve Net Zero, providing cost management services that ensure value-for-money while optimising environmental performance. “Universities face complex challenges at this moment in time – from decarbonising their estates to maintaining competitiveness amidst rising costs and fluctuating student numbers,” Clarke continued. “Through our framework roles, we’re helping universities to make their existing assets work harder, upgrading infrastructure, and creating vibrant, sustainable, inclusive and future-ready campuses.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A leading Midlands construction consultancy has been appointed to support the development of half a dozen new gyms across the UK. Birmingham-based The Construction Consultants (TCC) has been appointed to project manage and provide quantity surveying to gyms being developed by The Gym Group. The new contracts will bring to more than 50 the number of gym projects supported by TCC for the Croydon-based group. The latest contracts will provide new gyms all over the UK including London, West Yorkshire, East Anglia and Scotland. They are due for completion later this year. TCC has been involved in projects for The Gym Group for several years and has delivered fitness facilities in London, Liverpool, Manchester, Leicester, Nottingham, Southampton, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Newcastle and Edinburgh among others. TCC director James Smith said,  “The Gym Group has been a loyal client of ours for several years and we are delighted to be able to support their ambitious plans to roll out more facilities in the UK, using our extensive project management and quantity surveying capabilities.” TCC has a wealth of experience across public and private sectors including industrial, commercial, retail, leisure, care and residential projects. Headquartered in Bennett’s Hill, TCC is a multi-disciplined consultancy providing specialist project management, quantity-surveying, employers agent, building surveying and health and safety services to a wide range of sectors. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals