As the construction and road surfacing industry comes under pressure to reduce on-site accidents, Aggregate Industries’ Contracting Division has said that a ‘back to basics’ approach could be the key to improving site safety. With recent figures1 revealing that UK roads are the tenth most congested in the world, the
Specialist ground remediation and soil stabilisation company Deep Soil Mixing Ltd has helped with the completion of a £6.5 million project to strengthen the hillside, improve drainage and boost flood resilience at Scout Road in Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire, for client Calderdale Council. Deep Soil Mixing Ltd used their controlled soil
GRAHAM’s rail teams worked around the clock over the Bank Holiday weekend to deliver crucial upgrades to South East London’s rail network. The essential bridge replacements and supplementary works took place under abnormal track possessions at Bellenden Road Underbridge (Southwark) and Westdown Road Underbridge (Lewisham). Both projects involved the replacement
West Midlands demolition firm AR Demolition been named in a prestigious report celebrating the UK’s fastest-growing and most dynamic small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The ‘1000 Companies To Inspire Britain’ report is released annually by the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) and 2018 is the fifth year it has
Activity will shortly commence on a new 78 bed care home at the Carpenders Park Farm properties on Oxhey Lane, Watford. Released for sale back in 2016, the construction specialist Mick George Ltd will shortly begin earthworks for the project on behalf of Wildgoose Construction Ltd. Comprising 78 bedrooms with
A state of the art £100 million nuclear submarine building complex, built by construction and infrastructure company Morgan Sindall, has been opened by defence secretary, Gavin Williamson. The 175,000 sq ft Central Yard facility in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, used to outfit and test the most advanced submarines in the Royal NAVY’s
Despite important progress made in recent years, Aggregate Industries’ Contracting Division has stated there is still a massive job to do in creating a more inclusive and diverse workforce in the construction industry – one which requires a brand new mind-set. According to latest figures, around 5% of working adults
QTS Group Limited has been acquired by Leeds-based engineering services group Renew Holdings plc in an £80 million deal. This acquisition will add complementary services to Renew’s existing rail offering and increase its market share, footprint and positioning in the rail market. “We are delighted to welcome the management and
Newcastle International Airport has launched its Masterplan 2035, a blueprint for competing in the global economy, while delivering economic benefits for the region. Ahead of its 100th anniversary since it has been in operation, the new Masterplan is expected to drive continued growth. The passenger numbers are forecast to continue
The £75 million Triple Road Decker Project in North Tyneside is approaching its final stages. The scheme, which aims to lower the A19 under the A1058 Coast Road and Coast Road roundabout, is being delivered by the Sisk Lagan joint venture (JV). Since the construction began in June 2016, there
As the construction and road surfacing industry comes under pressure to reduce on-site accidents, Aggregate Industries’ Contracting Division has said that a ‘back to basics’ approach could be the key to improving site safety. With recent figures1 revealing that UK roads are the tenth most congested in the world, the role of the roadwork operatives, typically involving work on the live highways network, has become increasingly challenging. A previous study by Oxford University2 ranked it as the 16th most hazardous job in the UK, and Highways England estimates that 12 road workers have lost their lives on the network over the past 10 years.3 In response, there is an increased onus on all stakeholders from across the industry to take positive action to improve the health, safety and welfare of roadwork operatives – and while embracing new technological advancements has a part to play; Aggregate Industries says there is also a job to do in fixing the safety basics. Paddy Murphy, Managing Director of Contracting Services at Aggregate Industries, commented: “While there is certainly a raft of new technologies on the market which can play a huge role in aiding the road operative safety plight, the reality is that there is also a big job to do in ensuring that our operatives abide to the basic safety measures. This begins with not only providing all workers with the correct task-based training and awareness of site risks, but by leaders providing a visible personal commitment to safety and leading by example. “Site behaviours need to be monitored to ensure that everyone is adhering to current best practice by providing regular refresher sessions, as required. It sounds simple, but regardless of deadlines and pressures, it is vital that workers take the required rest-breaks and have access to adequate welfare facilities. “Asides from site safety, it’s also about ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. At Aggregate Industries, for example, our ‘Healthy You’ initiative provides workers with ongoing advice, guidance and support on how to deal with a variety of real health issues both in and outside of the workplace; from mental health and stress support, through to nutrition and fitness advice – all of which has been shown to help workers in their day-to-day.” Whilst Highways England delivers a £15billion programme designed to improve the UK’s motorways and main A-roads as part of their Road Investment Strategy, the government has also committed £350 million to improving the UKs local roads. Paddy added: “Amid hugely vast targets to improve Britain’s transport infrastructure, coupled with increased demand on our roads and levels of traffic, it has never been a more apt time for the industry to place a greater focus on the safety and wellbeing of staff than ever before. If we don’t get the safety basics right and iron out any issues now, the reality is that we may encounter even bigger issues down the line as pressures and workloads increase.” For further information about Aggregate Industries, visit www.aggregate.com.
Specialist ground remediation and soil stabilisation company Deep Soil Mixing Ltd has helped with the completion of a £6.5 million project to strengthen the hillside, improve drainage and boost flood resilience at Scout Road in Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire, for client Calderdale Council. Deep Soil Mixing Ltd used their controlled soil mixing technique to transform the challenging site, using Deep Soil Mixing Ltd’s Allu bucket on a 20-tonne excavator. They stabilised the soil and locked in the asbestos fibres contained in the ground, which proved to be an economical and practical solution. “Soil Mixing has proved to be an ideal solution for this slope stabilisation project, but it can also be used in a wide variety of other applications. In addition to the environmental advantage, stabilisation of soft soils by adding binders to reduce settlements and/or improve the stability of the land can be both a quick and cost-effective solution compared to some traditional methods including piling,” said Colin Critchlow, director at Deep Soil Mixing Ltd. The company also installed a King Post Wall at the bottom of the affected area to create an anchor point for the stability of the slope. This was to ensure that any slips during the soil stabilisation works on the upper slope would be contained and would not affect the surrounding buildings and services. It also created a stable working platform from which the mixing operation could commence. In order to work with and dispose of asbestos to commence work on thee 3,500 m2 site, the workforce was equipped with full face masks and disposable clothes, as well as decontamination when exiting the working area. The project proved to be challenging from both a technical and health and safety perspective. “The completion of work at Scout Road is a key milestone in Calderdale’s recovery from the floods. Along with borough-wide flood alleviation schemes and a range of natural flood management projects, it’s a powerful example of our determination to build resilience against extreme weather events. It has been carried out to the highest possible standard and many of the techniques used have shown real innovation, leading to improved protection for over 80 nearby homes and around 30 non-residential properties,” concluded Cllr Barry Collins, Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic strategy.
GRAHAM’s rail teams worked around the clock over the Bank Holiday weekend to deliver crucial upgrades to South East London’s rail network. The essential bridge replacements and supplementary works took place under abnormal track possessions at Bellenden Road Underbridge (Southwark) and Westdown Road Underbridge (Lewisham). Both projects involved the replacement and reinstatement of two underbridges within a restricted 72-hour rail possession. The railway closures began at 01:20 on Saturday 26th May and finished at 04:00 on Tuesday 29th May. The bridges carry National Rail, London Overground and Thameslink commuter services, as well as providing a busy thoroughfare for railway freight services. The works were part of Network Rail’s overall £78m investment in key asset maintenance and upgrades to more than 600 infrastructure schemes throughout the country. Successful completion Commenting on the successful completion of the bridge projects, Leo Martin, GRAHAM’s Managing Director – Civil Engineering, stated: “Both schemes underline the technical expertise of our staff and supply chain, and their ability to deliver complex rail projects safely and to the highest standards within possession constraints. “When working in these challenging rail conditions, safe and timely project delivery is only possible through close collaboration between ourselves, Network Rail, our supply chain partners and stakeholders. This was a real team effort and everyone pulled together to ensure the successful completion of these projects.” Works As part of the Bellenden Road Underbridge upgrade, the GRAHAM team replaced the existing 12m single span deck with two new Network Rail standard U decks, which were 66t each. The Westdown Road Underbridge project also centred on the replacement of the existing 12.5m bridge with two new Network Rail standard U decks, which were 74t each. It included the replacement of new station platforms. Both projects featured propping to restrain the existing abutments from potential overturning, the removal of tracks and ballast, the demolition of the existing bridge and the installation of the new superstructure decks. New pre-cast concrete cill slabs were placed at each location. Additionally, the reinstatement and re-tamping of the tracks were completed before reopening to rail traffic. Complexity The works involved setting up heavy lift cranes, including a 350t crawler crane and a 500t mobile crane, on the roadways below each bridge location in advance of the railway closures. The complexity of the works was made even more challenging by the severe weather conditions over the bank holiday weekend, with heavy thunder and lightning hampering crane lifts at critical times, and the team having to resolve a number of unforeseen issues as the project progressed. At its peak, over 100 people were on site to deliver each respective project. Meticulous planning GRAHAM’s rail experts have been meticulously preparing for the works over recent months in conjunction with a specialist supply chain, stakeholders, TOCs / FOCs and Network Rail. GRAHAM’s Rail Director, Jonny Kerr, believes this advanced planning and teamwork was the key to the success of both projects. “These complex bridge replacements were completed by our teams through their meticulous planning and technical expertise. The team worked closely with our various supply chain partners, stakeholders and Network Rail and their partners to ensure that there was minimal disruption to the rail network,” said Jonny. “There was a tremendous amount of planning done in advance, which allowed us to progress each project smoothly even with the challenges presented. Additional factors, such as operational High Voltage and S&T cable routes, required support and protection during the works.“ “It’s a tremendous achievement and I’m very grateful to everyone who rose to the challenge. “We would like to thank the public for their patience during the closures.” Rail expertise GRAHAM has completed a broad portfolio of award-winning work within the rail sector. Examples of GRAHAM’s expertise in delivering complex construction within an operational railway include the “Live Launch” of a 55m span, 515t bridge structure over ten railways lines in South London, slope stabilisation works in South Wales and the construction of a new railway station in the Midlands.
West Midlands demolition firm AR Demolition been named in a prestigious report celebrating the UK’s fastest-growing and most dynamic small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The ‘1000 Companies To Inspire Britain’ report is released annually by the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) and 2018 is the fifth year it has been published. To qualify this year, companies had to have revenue of between £6 million and £250 million, be operating for at least three years and be among the fastest-growing in their industry sector. Calculations were weighted to favour latest-year growth and any company with more than 20 per cent deterioration in net assets over the past three years was excluded. With growth at AR Demolition, based in Carlton near Nuneaton, escalating turnover to £16 million in 2017, managing director Richard Dolman said he was proud for his company to be included. “It’s a great feather in the cap for the company and a real fillip for all at AR Demolition to see us included in such a prestigious list,” he said. “We’ve worked hard over the past few years to set ourselves apart from our competition, creating something different from the typical demolition company and trying to build a business for the future. So it’s great to see that being officially marked by those outside the business. “Turnover this year is looking to be at record levels for us and we’ll know more on that soon. In the meantime, we also have some exciting initiatives in the pipeline, as well as some significant investments, which will further develop the foundation for our future.” AR Demolition was congratulated for its appearance in the report by David Tredinnick, MP for Bosworth, who visited the company in 2016 and said he was delighted to see evidence of its progress since then. “It is fantastic news that AR Demolition, a local company and employer, has been included on the LSEG’s flagship Companies to Inspire Britain list,” he said. “AR Demolition is an innovative company and it has been a pleasure to visit them in the past and see at first hand their approach to developing young people’s skills through apprenticeships. “I congratulate AR Demolition on this prestigious achievement and it is really beneficial for the region to have such inspirational, dynamic and growing companies in our area.” Nikhil Rathi, CEO of LSEG, said: “We warmly congratulate all of the companies identified in this year’s ‘1000 Companies to Inspire Britain’ report. “Five years on, the report continues to demonstrate the strength and diversity of British businesses across the country. These dynamic companies are the backbone of our economy, playing an important role in the UK’s ability to innovate, export and grow. “This report is a significant part of London Stock Exchange Group’s broader campaign to support UK high growth companies. We are committed to championing British businesses and Britain’s dynamic entrepreneurial spirit.” In April, AR Demolition announced the purchase of four new excavators, including three new versatile high reach Kiesel machines from Germany, in a £1.5m investment. The purchase followed a £1m acquisition of new machinery at the end of 2016 and heralded the sale of some redundant plant units purchased since AR Demolition was incorporated a decade ago.
Activity will shortly commence on a new 78 bed care home at the Carpenders Park Farm properties on Oxhey Lane, Watford. Released for sale back in 2016, the construction specialist Mick George Ltd will shortly begin earthworks for the project on behalf of Wildgoose Construction Ltd. Comprising 78 bedrooms with en-suite facilities for the elderly, specifically for nursing and dementia care, with associated amenities that include car parking and a private landscaped residents garden, the Carpenders Care home is the latest development to be added to the Frontier Estates portfolio, with the scheme developed in conjunction with Baycroft Care Homes. The care home will be built on the site of a former dairy; therefore its design takes cues from the existing agricultural vernacular to reminisce a series of barns and farm buildings. The scheme utilises glazed links, horizontal timber boarding and zinc dormers to provide a stunning design. “Increasingly our services are being utilised towards the London region for varied contracting provisions. Earthworks is one of our more established offerings and I’m sure that recognised in the quality delivery of this project,” said Michael George, Contracts Director at Mick George Ltd. Baycroft create luxury care homes and senior villages in beautiful surroundings, designed to cater to the varying and individual needs of all residents, providing the highest levels of care. Created by One Housing, one of the UK’s largest housing associations, the group possesses over 50 years’ experience, managing 15,000 homes in the South East.
A state of the art £100 million nuclear submarine building complex, built by construction and infrastructure company Morgan Sindall, has been opened by defence secretary, Gavin Williamson. The 175,000 sq ft Central Yard facility in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, used to outfit and test the most advanced submarines in the Royal NAVY’s fleet. Now, the Central Yard Facility comprises production, workshop and office facilities, as well as featuring two cranes, each with a 150 tonne capacity and a 60m span. “The complexity and scale of the site, coupled with the building’s design requirements meant that the project required a team with particular expertise, and experience of working in partnership with defence contractors,” said Andrew Parker, director of defence at Morgan Sindall. “We are incredibly proud to have successfully delivered this project in collaboration with our sister company, BakerHicks. It is not only of vital importance to both BAE Systems and the MOD, but also to the people of Barrow,” he added. During his visit, the defence secretary announced a further £2.5 billion investment into the country’s nuclear submarine programme, by awarding BAE Systems a £1.5 billion contract for delivery of the seventh Astute class submarine, alongside a further £900 million for the next phase of the Dreadnought submarine programme. He also named the seventh and final submarine Agincourt. The investment has been hailed as a huge vote of confidence in the Barrow facility and vital for the wider region. It will secure more than 8,000 jobs across BAE Systems and thousands more in the wider supply chain, providing new opportunities across the country. “Not only is this a massive boost for our armed forces, but it’s huge for Barrow, the heart of sub-building in this country,” said defence secretary, Gavin Williamson.
Despite important progress made in recent years, Aggregate Industries’ Contracting Division has stated there is still a massive job to do in creating a more inclusive and diverse workforce in the construction industry – one which requires a brand new mind-set. According to latest figures, around 5% of working adults in the UK are currently employed in construction-related jobs but being a male-dominated industry, women make up just 20% of that workforce1. This gender equality gap is particularly alarming when you consider that like many industries, construction continues to face a major skills deficit. In a recent report, Highways UK estimates that in order to meet the Government’s ambitious £15bn investment into the Strategic Road Network it will require an additional 40,000 engineering and constructions workers by 20202. With this in mind, the Contracting Division of leading building materials supplier Aggregate Industries, has started by setting equality targets to achieve a 30% gender balance by 2030. It believes that the industry needs to adopt a new way of thinking if it is to succeed in attracting more women and young people into operational roles. Paddy Murphy, Managing Director of Contracting Services at Aggregate Industries, commented: “Attracting a more diverse workforce to the sector is no longer just about addressing gender equality, but is increasingly an essential part of building the highly skilled and trained workforce we require to meet the government’s ambitious plans for upgrading the UK’s road infrastructure. “In order to make a meaningful impact in driving recruitment in what is traditionally a man’s world, the industry must adopt new techniques to better accommodate a diverse range of people. This starts with a root and branch approach, one that looks at changes that must be made to behaviours, working conditions, equipment and recruitment policies.” What’s often overlooked, reveals Aggregate Industries, is that much of the equipment and machinery used in the industry such as rollers and pavers, are old fashioned; with manual controls; featuring steep gradients and hard-to-reach entry points that essentially make it inaccessible to some. Paddy adds: “By incorporating measures such as upgrading to more captivating automated machine controls; folding steps; and all-round vision into all equipment and machinery going forward, is just one of the ways to ensure our working environment is inclusive. “Meanwhile, to make it easier to spot and nurture talent other policies to consider are increasing the visibility of operational roles with a variety of audiences and removing gender bias in recruitment. We are attending schools and colleges and encourage a 50/50 split of male and female candidates during the interview stages when recruiting for new operational-related roles. After all, with studies showing firms with a diverse workforce boast better business performance3, it is now more important than ever to address diversity and inclusion if we are to retain our position as a world-class industry that leads the way in innovation.” For further information about Aggregate Industries, visit www.aggregate.com.
QTS Group Limited has been acquired by Leeds-based engineering services group Renew Holdings plc in an £80 million deal. This acquisition will add complementary services to Renew’s existing rail offering and increase its market share, footprint and positioning in the rail market. “We are delighted to welcome the management and staff of QTS to the Renew group. This is a very complementary and earnings enhancing acquisition that aligns with our established and proven strategy, strengthening our position in the UK infrastructure market,” said Paul Scott, CEO of Renew. “QTS has grown to become a leading and well respected brand in the Rail sector and we very much look forward to supporting its ambition for continued growth including opportunities via collaboration across our expanded range of services in this sector,” he continued. On behalf of Renew, Numis has placed 12,676,056 new ordinary shares of 10 pence each at a price of 355 pence per share with new and existing investors, raising £45 million and representing approximately 20% of the company’s existing issued share capital. The net will be then used to fund part of the deal, along with a £35 million four year term loan, £20 million revolving capital facility and £10 million overdraft facility provided by Renew’s existing lending bank HSBC. “QTS is delighted to be joining the Renew Group and we very much look forward to the future as part of a larger group. The transaction will provide opportunities to expand our market share and benefit from the synergies with their existing successful brands working in highly regulated sectors,” said Alan McLeish, managing director of QTS. Walker Morris advised Renew on the proposed acquisition of QTS and the placing. The law firm’s team of multidisciplinary specialist lawyers included Debbie Jackson, Richard Naish, Laura Cavell and Sonia Lonsdale (Corporate), Peter Considine and Laura Lister (Banking & Finance), Andrew Rayment and Charlotte Smith (Employment) and Sarah Bruce (Tax). The deal is expected to be completed on the 10th of May 2018, following the completion of the placing.
Newcastle International Airport has launched its Masterplan 2035, a blueprint for competing in the global economy, while delivering economic benefits for the region. Ahead of its 100th anniversary since it has been in operation, the new Masterplan is expected to drive continued growth. The passenger numbers are forecast to continue growing during that time, reaching up to 9.4 million passengers by 2035. It is hoped that the Masterplan will also help deliver a framework to allow for improved connectivity, ensuring people don’t have to use airports outside the North East. Remaining in draft form until the public consultation is complete, the blueprint outlines aims of supporting an increase in inbound tourism. As one of the biggest job providers and economic generators in the North East, Newcastle International employs 3,500 people on site and supports an estimated 18,900 roles throughout the region. The airport currently makes a GVA contribution of £1.16 billion for the economy, but the number could rise to £2.03 billion by 2035, while the jobs supported could reach 27,800. “Newcastle International has gone from strength to strength in recent years and we’ve set out a clear plan of action to continue to grow our airport to ensure it can compete in the global economy,” said Nick Jones, CEO at Newcastle International. “In the years to come, the connectivity provided by the airport will be even more important, and that’s why this plan seeks to safeguard for the future of not just the Airport but the whole region,” he continued. The Masterplan includes a possible extension of the runway, which will improve aircraft performance, as well as allow future destinations to be served from the existing runway. Other points raised include ways of minimising the airport’s impact on surrounding communities and the environment, and a Surface Access Strategy for continued improvement of the region’s road and public transport infrastructure. The consultation period to find out the public’s views on the Masterplan consists of drop-in sessions and meetings hosted at the airport and running from the 10th of May until the 13th of September.
The £75 million Triple Road Decker Project in North Tyneside is approaching its final stages. The scheme, which aims to lower the A19 under the A1058 Coast Road and Coast Road roundabout, is being delivered by the Sisk Lagan joint venture (JV). Since the construction began in June 2016, there have been three bridges built – one to support the A1058 Coast Road over the Coast Road roundabout and two to carry the Coast Road roundabout over the newly lowered A19. More than 580 piles have been installed, covering seven miles from end to end, in order to support the new structure. In addition, around 80,000 m3 of soil is being removed and being used to help form the embankments on the nearby A19 Testos scheme. “This is a busy junction used by more than 80,000 drivers every day and we have produced a video to show the incredible transformation that has already taken place. We are nearly three quarters complete now with the main bulk of the work digging out the 80,000 cubic meters of soil as the last major milestone,” said Highways England assistant project manager Steven Cox. Over the following 10 months, improvements will be carried out to the 1,175 metres of cycleway and an extra 247 metres will be created. The gantries for improved signage will also be installed and the roundabout completely resurfaced. “Drivers who use this junction regularly will already be able to see progress as the earth is removed to create the third layer of the junction which will mean drivers will be able to continue straight along the A19 underneath the roundabout,” said Steven Cox. “The final supports for the A1058 westbound bridge were lifted into place a few days ago and we have started the foundation work on the pedestrian and cycle bridges.”
