ECS Engineering Services has been appointed as Principal Contractor for the South East by the Environment Agency, under the MEICA (mechanical, electrical, instrumentation control and automation) Framework. This builds on the existing relationship that has seen ECS deliver maintenance services for over 15 years. Under this agreement, ECS can be
Jet Aire Services, the Leeds-based drainage and civil engineering contractor, has appointed a new Contract Manager. Mark Walker will coordinate the efficient delivery of projects throughout the UK. Mark had previously worked as Senior Area Agent at Ringway Infrastructure Services, a role that equipped him with outstanding experience in civil
Greater Brighton Metropolitan College (MET) held the official opening of the Construction and Trades Centre at the Brighton East Campus with a special ceremony that local businesses, staff, and students attended. The ribbon of the £9 million building was cut by Tim Wates, Chair of Coast to Capital Local Enterprise
Rope and Sling Specialists Ltd. (RSS) has completed proof tests on three runway beams at the Durward Street shaft site, part of Contract C512, a main station contract worth £110m, awarded as part of Crossrail, Europe’s largest infrastructure scheme. RSS accepted a scope of work to test newly installed, temporary
Work on the £35 million extension to Babraham Research Campus in Cambridge will commence shortly. Local business Mick George Ltd will be completing Earthworks at the site, for MJS Construction (March) Ltd on behalf of SDC Construction Limited. The partnership announced back in October 2017 between the campus and BioMed
A month ago, the UK foreign secretary Boris Johnson suggested that a bridge across the English Channel would be a great idea. Now, the French company that runs the Channel Tunnel opened the subject to the UK government, writing to UK Prime Minister Theresa May. “The idea of a second
Skills Group is the first training provider in the region of Devon to deliver groundworks apprenticeships due to demand from the construction industry. A total of 179 learners took up the NVQ Level 2 Groundworks apprenticeship, and a further 91 are working towards a Level 3 NVQ apprenticeship in Occupational
SGB provided a scaffolding solution that made a demolition project on the banks of the River Thames a success. The demolition was completed safely due to the highly unusual scaffolding system created by the company, which had part of it covered by the river water during the process. “This was
GRAHAM has been awarded a scheme to install conventional noise barriers on the M40 motorway as part of a series of improvements on behalf of Highways England. The scheme will take place between Junctions 3 and 8 of the motorway, with the ultimate goal being to reduce noise pollution along
Energy Assets Group, Britain’s leading independent meter asset management company, has unveiled plans for rapid expansion in the ‘final mile’ electricity and gas network ownership and operator market. Energy Assets has been awarded an Independent Gas Transporter (IGT) and Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO) license to own, adopt and operate
ECS Engineering Services has been appointed as Principal Contractor for the South East by the Environment Agency, under the MEICA (mechanical, electrical, instrumentation control and automation) Framework. This builds on the existing relationship that has seen ECS deliver maintenance services for over 15 years. Under this agreement, ECS can be assigned directly to projects at all the Environment Agency’s 600+ sites in the South East, ECS also assumes responsibility for maintenance, servicing, repairs and emergency call-outs. The appointment complements other framework agreements ECS has with the Environment Agency. Dave Searle, ECS’s Project Manager for the South East, says: “We have worked with the Environment Agency for many years on a wide range of project types and sizes. This new appointment reflects our ability to deliver a true turnkey solution using our design expertise with in-house fabrication facilities, project management and site engineers.” ECS Engineering Services is headquartered centrally in Nottinghamshire and works all over the UK utilising smaller, local delivery centres, delivering high quality, reliable and cost-effective engineering solutions. It specialises in the bespoke design and construction of water, energy and environmental projects. About ECS Engineering Services ECS Engineering Services has over 20 years experience in delivering high quality, reliable and cost effective engineering solutions, specialising in bespoke design and construction of water, energy and environmental processing and management projects. In conjunction with key supply partners, ECS has the expertise and capacity to design and install a wide range of water control engineering projects. With in-house fabrication services, which have CE Marking approval to EXC3, well equipped and highly skilled engineers can also complete structural steelwork, bespoke fabrication work and access metalwork to the highest standard. With a complete range of site services available, ECS offers a full turnkey project managed service for mechanical and electrical installations including managing civils contractors and supplying pipework, control and automation work to ensure that every installation is installed and commissioned to the highest standard. Existing clients include the majority of the UK Water Utility companies, Government Agencies and Internal Drainage Boards.
Jet Aire Services, the Leeds-based drainage and civil engineering contractor, has appointed a new Contract Manager. Mark Walker will coordinate the efficient delivery of projects throughout the UK. Mark had previously worked as Senior Area Agent at Ringway Infrastructure Services, a role that equipped him with outstanding experience in civil engineering operations. He was responsible for producing and maintaining accurate programmes of work, including method statements, risk assessments, Health & Safety plans, communication and company procedures, cost and resource analysis, performance and productivity review, and training. Prior to this role, Mark was a Site Agent responsible for the planning, programming, and resourcing of highway construction schemes valued up to £5 million. As a Contract Manager at Jet Aire Services, Mark will make sure that projects are completed on time and within budget on behalf of clients in a range of key sectors, including chemical, commercial, environmental, industrial, residential, retail, and transport. “We are delighted to welcome Mark to the Jet Aire management team. He has the ideal combination of site experience and comprehensive programme management expertise required for this key position. Mark will play a vital role in driving efficiency and performance levels to help Jet Aire to maintain our consistent record of client satisfaction,” aid Jet Aire Services Director, Keith Ferris. The professional drainage and groundworks solutions provided by Jet Aire include CCTV surveys, high-pressure water jetting, drain/sewer cleansing and clearance, tankering, waste disposal, CIPP patching/lining, UV lining, infiltration sealing, robotic cutting, root cutting, epoxy spray Ultra Coating, surfacing, block paving, fencing and civil engineering works on behalf housebuilders, highways operators and local authorities. The company has been accredited and approved by many of the environmental and drainage industry’s leading bodies, holding both ISO9001 and ISO14001 internationally recognised standards for Quality Management, as well as OHSAS 18001 certification for Occupational Health and Safety Management.
Greater Brighton Metropolitan College (MET) held the official opening of the Construction and Trades Centre at the Brighton East Campus with a special ceremony that local businesses, staff, and students attended. The ribbon of the £9 million building was cut by Tim Wates, Chair of Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership. After the ceremony, those present there toured around the new facilities, which will be used to train bricklayers, carpenters, electricians, painters and decorators, plasterers, and plumbers. The plans for this construction were supported financially by local growth deal funding, through the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership, as part of a deal to boost skills in the wider area. The construction industry is expected to see the biggest percentage growth across the UK, with 21.9% and Sussex with 44% over the next five years. “We were delighted to provide Local Growth Fund investment for the Construction and Trades Centre and it is fantastic to see all the hard work by partners come to fruition,” said Tim Wates. He continues: “A tremendous effort has been made to improve Greater Brighton Metropolitan College’s infrastructure and throughout the process we have been impressed with their plans to address the skills deficit of the region. This centre will be a beacon for a city that has ambitions to be world class in construction and we are excited about the future development and growth at the college.” The MET was created from the merger of City College Brighton and Northbrook College Sussex. It offers a comprehensive range of qualifications for 16 year olds leaving school, full and part time courses for adults, apprenticeships, professional qualifications and university degrees. The MET operates across five campuses in Brighton, Shoreham, and Worthing and teaches around 3,500 16-18 year olds, 7,500 adult learners, 1,000 undergraduates and 800 apprentices.
Rope and Sling Specialists Ltd. (RSS) has completed proof tests on three runway beams at the Durward Street shaft site, part of Contract C512, a main station contract worth £110m, awarded as part of Crossrail, Europe’s largest infrastructure scheme. RSS accepted a scope of work to test newly installed, temporary beams at two locations—Levels 1 and 3—that will be used to lower parts for escalator installations. This part of the project principally covers the implementation of internal and external walls alongside new staircases, escalators, and lifts for passengers to get to and from platforms. At Level 3, RSS performed a 4t proof load test on a 3.2t working load limit (WLL) beam, while the assignment at Level 1 involved a gantry system comprising two beams that provide a total lifting capacity of 8t. Each beam had a proof load of 5t applied for the tests, which were covered by Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) and will be subject to six-monthly inspections for the duration of the project. The gantry system at Level 1 is used at an incline for moving escalators into place. Graham Dawson, RSS depot manager, explained that the beams were all the same depth and width but different lengths. The beam on Level 3 was a 5.25m x 457 x 152 beam; at Level 1, the first beam was 13m x 457 x 152 and the second was 10.85m x 457 x 152. To conduct the tests, the Level 3 beam was fixed via bolts to a concrete floor, whereas brackets and strong backs combined at the other location, Dawson said. He added: “We had already spec’d the job two days earlier; we were onsite over a three-week period to conduct six-monthly LOLER tests on the project’s lifting gear. Ian [Thompson, RSS engineer / surveyor] and I were asked to complete the work at Level 3 first, as the pulling plate had been installed onto the floor in advance. The plate was used on three beams; we took measurements of the beam for the deflection readings, and checked the fixings to make sure they were correctly installed.” Once an exclusion zone was in place the RSS team installed a trolley, 5t chain block, 5.3t collar chain, and load cell via shackles to complete the test. The Straightpoint (SP) 10t capacity wired load cell was utilised with a Handheld plus reader, while a Leica laser-measuring device read beam deflections. The first deflection reading was taken from the floor to the beam, before various loads were put on the beam and subsequent readings recorded. The process was repeated at Level 1. Upon completion of the tests four electric chain hoists and trolleys, sourced from RSS, were attached to the beam for lowering of the escalators. Connecting the City, Canary Wharf, the West End and Heathrow Airport to commuter areas east and west of London, Crossrail is a major new rail link project designed to provide a world-class, affordable railway with high frequency, convenient and accessible services across the capital. BBMV, the joint venture encompassing Balfour Beatty, Morgan Sindall and VINCI Construction, will be constructing the project in three distinct parts including refurbishment of the existing Whitechapel Station in the Hammersmith & City and District Line cutting, the new station bridge concourse above the East London Line cutting and the new ticket hall behind the retained building fronting on Whitechapel Road.
Work on the £35 million extension to Babraham Research Campus in Cambridge will commence shortly. Local business Mick George Ltd will be completing Earthworks at the site, for MJS Construction (March) Ltd on behalf of SDC Construction Limited. The partnership announced back in October 2017 between the campus and BioMed Realty will see the creation of two new buildings, with a combined 108,000 square feet of space for integrated laboratories and offices. It is anticipated that the scheme will house life sciences start-ups and scale-ups. The Campus is now home to some 60 enterprises and around 2,000 people and when the new development will be completed, the entire space will exceed the 300,000 square feet mark. The Babraham Research Campus is managed and developed by Babraham Bioscience Technologies (BBT) on behalf of its shareholders, The Babraham Institute and the Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC). Cambridge is known as Europe’s leading technology cluster, with 57,000 people employed by 1,500 technology based firms. BioMed Realty recognised this potential back in 2012 when it acquired Granta Park and is now looking into further expansion in the county of Cambridgeshire. ‘’As a local business ourselves, we know the importance of sites such as Babraham Research Campus and the likes, in developing the thriving business community of our county. This development will have an impact for many generations to come on the local surroundings, and for that reason we’re pleased to play our part,” said Michael George, Contracts Director at Mick George Ltd. Mick George is one of the leading suppliers to the construction industry in East Anglia and the East Midlands. They specialise in bulk excavation, demolition & earthmoving services, ready mixed concrete, a wide range of skip hire and waste management services, commercial waste service and aggregate supply. One of the company’s main priorities is to offer support to the local community, so it donates up to £900,000 annually to community developments and projects.
A month ago, the UK foreign secretary Boris Johnson suggested that a bridge across the English Channel would be a great idea. Now, the French company that runs the Channel Tunnel opened the subject to the UK government, writing to UK Prime Minister Theresa May. “The idea of a second fixed link is something that we regularly consider in our long-term plans and we would be delighted to engage with your officials to explore the possibility further,” wrote Eurotunnel Chief Executive Jacques Gounon. “As part of the Treaty of Canterbury and the Concession Agreement which established the Channel Tunnel, Eurotunnel has the right to build the next fixed link.” Even though in the beginning Johnson’s idea of a cross-Channel bridge was dismissed as an economic impossibility and an engineering liability, Eurotunnel seems to be interested in it, even stating they have first rights to build the link. “Building a huge concrete structure in the middle of the world’s busiest shipping lane might come with some challenges,” said the UK Chamber of Shipping. Firstly, the Channel would have to include a suspension bridge able to accommodate 80m high ships, meaning it would need towers more than 500m high, said Wanda Lewis, Professor of Structural Engineering at the University of Warwick. A more likely choice seems to be a second tunnel or even a combined bridge and tunnel, as the costs would only be a small fraction of the £120 billion needed for a bridge. The idea was brought forward by Johnson during a discussion with French president Emmanuel Macron, as a way of binding the UK and France after Brexit. However, the developments on the project need to wait until Westminster and Brussels reach a deal on Brexit.
Skills Group is the first training provider in the region of Devon to deliver groundworks apprenticeships due to demand from the construction industry. A total of 179 learners took up the NVQ Level 2 Groundworks apprenticeship, and a further 91 are working towards a Level 3 NVQ apprenticeship in Occupational Work Supervision. The courses were launched 18 months ago by Skills Group and Steve Hoskin Construction Ltd, which recognised a gap in the market. “If you look at the college and university education system you have courses for bricklayers, carpenters, plasterers and tilers, all the classic trades, but there was nothing locally for ground workers,” explained Colin Vout, the Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality Manager at Steve Hoskin Construction Ltd. Ground workers are an important part in the preparation process of a construction site, because they are the ones that arrive first on site and prepare everything. “It is their job to put all the roads, drainage and infrastructure in place and build the plots up to damp proof course foundation level. The other trades then come in and build on top of that. If the ground workers do not get it right, nothing else can go right,” said Colin. The apprenticeship provides training for a specialist skill set, as well as giving learners a sense of pride. It is also beneficial for the construction company, because it enables them to demonstrate a particular standard of quality in the training of their groundworks employees. “With so many major building projects across the South West including; Sherford, Millbay, Market Quarter in Holsworthy, and various residential developments in Paignton and Torquay, demand is high for a qualified workforce,” said Mark Boulting, Skills Group managing director. “We are delighted with the uptake and success rate of our groundworks programmes and look forward to it continuing well into the future.”
SGB provided a scaffolding solution that made a demolition project on the banks of the River Thames a success. The demolition was completed safely due to the highly unusual scaffolding system created by the company, which had part of it covered by the river water during the process. “This was a challenging project due to the location of the building, which was built out into the river, from a site close to Blackfriars Bridge,” explained SGB’s Southern Design Manager, Brendan Fox. “Fortunately, Tideway knew that we have experience in designing this type of structure for other demolition and construction projects on the banks of the Thames. That experience was a key point in allowing us to create a successful scaffolding solution.” The system created by SGB included large steel brackets being attached to the concrete columns on which the building stood, later on used to support a series of beams which provided a solid base on which the scaffolding could sit. Because the system was going to be regularly covered by water, it had to be strong enough to be able to accommodate the force of the water flow and adapt on a daily basis. The team on site had to remove and reinstall the toe-boards every few hours to make sure they were not going to get damaged by the flow. “The scaffolding had to be constructed in such a way that it could be reduced in height, as the demolition work gradually lowered the height of the building,” explained Brendan. “The demolition materials had to be removed from the site via the river, so our design had to include various protection and containment features, which would prevent those materials from falling into the water. We also had to allow for the presence of a large barge carrying an 80-tonne crane which was floated in alongside the building.” Brendan concluded by saying that no matter how challenging a project is, safety always has to come first. Therefore, the system was subjected to a BS5975 Category 2 internal approval procedure and a client approval, before being used on the demolition work.
GRAHAM has been awarded a scheme to install conventional noise barriers on the M40 motorway as part of a series of improvements on behalf of Highways England. The scheme will take place between Junctions 3 and 8 of the motorway, with the ultimate goal being to reduce noise pollution along the route. The commitment to deliver these improvements is set out in Highways England’s Delivery Plan. Highways England has been working in partnership with the M40 Chiltern Environmental Group (M40 CEG), Wycombe District Council and South Oxfordshire District Council, to develop proposals to reduce noise along the M40 corridor between Loudwater (near junction 3 of the motorway) in Buckinghamshire and Wheatley (near junction 8) in South Oxfordshire. The organisation has been liaising with the M40 Core Group since 2005 over road noise along the M40 corridor. Following feasibility reports into using photovoltaic enabled noise barriers and PV panels, Highways England asked suppliers to develop a more cost affordable solution, and in 2016 the decision was made to revert to conventional noise barriers. Noise barriers are planned for sections of the M40 as it passes near High Wycombe, as well as near the Buckinghamshire villages of Lane End, Stokenchurch and Chepping Wycombe. Five of the sites involve direct work to highway structures, and account for 1.9km of the proposed 4.9km of barrier. The contract will be overseen by Dave Brown, who was recently appointed to lead on GRAHAM’s collaborative delivery framework (CDF) with Highways England. Upon award of the scheme, Dave said: “GRAHAM is pleased to be leading on this scheme for Highways England, which will make a huge difference to residents based along the M40 motorway. “To ensure the scheme is as cost effective as possible, the supplier has identified innovative solutions at Loudwater Viaduct, limiting barrier height while still maintaining a reduction in noise. “GRAHAM is committed to undertaking schemes like this in a collaborative manner, engaging the local community and working closely with Highways England to deliver improvements which will be beneficial for those who reside in the area.” GRAHAM’s civil engineering team has been involved in some of the most prestigious projects within the UK and Ireland, including the Tennison Road Bridge Replacement for Network Rail, the A138 Chelmer Viaduct for Highways England, and the high-profile M80 Stepps to Haggs Upgrade in central Scotland. The company has a very strong civil engineering track record which is underscored by two recent short-listings in the Major Civil Engineering Project of the Year (over £50m) category at the 30th British Construction Industry Awards 2017.
Energy Assets Group, Britain’s leading independent meter asset management company, has unveiled plans for rapid expansion in the ‘final mile’ electricity and gas network ownership and operator market. Energy Assets has been awarded an Independent Gas Transporter (IGT) and Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO) license to own, adopt and operate gas and electricity networks and the company has launched Energy Assets Pipelines and Energy Assets Networks as independent gas and electricity network ownership entities. Working alongside its direct labour division and Dragon Infrastructure Solutions (part of Energy Assets) the businesses are also partnering with independent utility construction contractors and residential and commercial developers to provide innovations in asset-based finance, network design, network ownership, compliance and management. Colin Lynch, Energy Assets’ Chief Executive Officer, says the move into ‘final mile’ network ownership comes at a time of great opportunity for the house builder and developer sector. “Britain stands on the brink of the biggest house building programme for generations,” he said. “With the government’s stated aim of creating 300,000 new homes every year, the question is – how can developers and contractors make the most of this opportunity? “To help house builders and NERS and GIRS approved contractors deliver the most cost-effective and efficient utility networks, we’ve created ownership vehicles that will speed up design and approvals timescales and offer innovative asset-based finance packages. We are also one of just a handful of independent operators authorised by OFGEM for both gas and electricity network ownership and management.” As part of this drive, the Group’s recently-acquired business Utility Distribution Networks Ltd, an IDNO, is being rebranded Energy Assets Networks and will be building on its established relationships with house builders and contractors to drive expansion across Britain. Gas network ownership will be managed through Energy Assets Pipelines, a new business that will leverage the Group’s extensive gas network design and asset management expertise. Debbie Edgar, Managing Director of Energy Assets Networks, commented: “The launch of Energy Assets network ownership continues to transform the competitive landscape in the ‘final mile’ of utility connections and ownership. The flexibility that is available to IDNOs such as Energy Assets Networks creates innovative finance options for contractors and developers that the existing distribution network operators simply cannot match.” John McLuskey, who is leading Energy Assets Pipelines gas operation, said: “With Energy Assets’ proven asset management expertise and our track record in delivering process innovation, we see great opportunities opening up for our customers to speed up network construction through expert design certification, compliance support and flexible funding options, resulting in a more cost-effective utility provision.” www.energyassetsnetworks.co.uk www.energyassetspipelines.co.uk