A Wolverhampton businessman claimed a notable coup last week when he became the first demolition expert to be named as the Institute of Construction Management (ICM)’s Construction Manager of the Year. John Woodward, founder of C&D Consultancy, beat off the challenge of over 50 professionals to claim the prestigious honour, impressing judges with his pioneering work in Glasgow and on the bank of the Thames river in London. He was also praised for his outstanding role in educating young people about the sector and how they can carve a rewarding career in demolition. “This came as a bit of a shock to me if I’m being honest, but I’m delighted that my industry, which often gets overlooked, has been recognised for the work we do in clearing the way for the future,” explained John. “It has been a massive year for the business and one that has seen a number of the projects we’ve been consulting on hit the national headlines.” He continued: “I’m keen to use this ICM Award to do even more Primary Future talks to promote and push our sector, showing the future generation of workers that demolition offers great career opportunities both at home and abroad.” John formed C&D Consultancy in 2003 and has seen it become one of the leading demolition specialists in the country, coordinating a host of projects across the UK and Europe every year. A team of 8 experts advises on initial planning, project management and one-off consultancy, as well as being brought in to turn around crisis jobs. “We’ve been involved in some really complex projects over the last eighteen months, most noticeably Albert Embankment demolition for Berkeley Housing Group and helping to bring down 15 of Glasgow’s most iconic tower blocks,” added John. He concluded: “This – combined with securing The Institute for Construction Management’s main prize – takes our reputation to the next level and will hopefully see us pass £1m turnover by the end of the year.” For further information on C&D, please visit http://demolishdismantle.blogspot.co.uk or follow @castlecroftrngr on twitter.  

Transport for London’s analysis of the transport implications of a third runway at Heathrow raise the prospect of the capital grinding to a halt. Road and rail congestion would soon reach unprecedented levels if the government approves construction of a third runway at Heathrow, as recommended by the Airports Commission. Transport for London (TfL) says that the Airports Commission has failed to assess the impact of full utilisation of the three runways at Heathrow, or of additional freight and growth in business activity around the airport. The London Assembly Transport Committee met yesterday (10th November 2015) and heard that it would cost between £15bn and £20bn to improve the transport infrastructure needed to get all passengers to and from Heathrow Airport, if a third runway is built there. Transport for London director of strategy and policy Richard De Cani told the meeting: “The simple word would be congestion – congestion on the road network, congestion on the rail network of a scale that we haven’t seen. The level of crowding you would have on those rail corridors into central London would be some of the worst that we currently see in London and that’s based on 2030 demand, the year of opening. So it’s a level of crowding and congestion that we believe would start to impact quite significantly on the whole performance of the transport network across west and southwest London.” Committee chair Valerie Shawcross said: “Today we heard that there are clear discrepancies between the Airports Commission’s assessment of transport demand with TfL’s own analysis. For example, the Airports Commission has only planned for passenger demand up to 2030, and does not take into account transport needs with the airport at full capacity after expansion. “Before the government makes its decision on airport expansion, there are big questions to be answered around what transport infrastructure is needed and who will pay for it. We can’t allow a bigger Heathrow to clog up London’s roads and public transport network.”

Regulatory protections will be needed to protect customers from potential abuse from “substantial market power” in the transition to water market competition, Ofwat has said. As part of a review of non-household retail price controls, the regulator said it wants to make sure new market arrangements don’t disadvantage certain customers. It said while price controls mustn’t “create undue barriers to entry or expansion”, basic protections must be put in place to “promote trust and confidence” in the delivery of water and wastewater services. Ofwat said default tariffs, a form of back-stop protection for customers in the non-household water and wastewater retail market, “remain appropriate”. However, problems have been highlighted in the energy market, which became competitive 15 years ago, such as the average cost serve to non-household customers being higher than the allowances made in setting the default tariff caps. In the water sector non-household retail costs rose in 2014-15, the regulator said, and the non-household retail price controls set in December 2014 “did not include a sufficient allocation of costs or margins”. The regulator wants companies to engage with customers to develop their default tariff caps proposals. It is also consulting on how to improve transparency in the mapping of tariffs to the default tariff caps. The consultation will close 11 December.

Three overhead gantries are due to be removed from the M62 near Rochdale during the next 4 weekends as part of a major project to tackle congestion and improve journey times. Contractors for Highways England need to close a 2 mile stretch of the motorway overnight in both directions between junction 19 at Heywood and junction 20 at Oldham on Saturday nights to take down the gantries, which are not suitable for the smart motorway scheme. The overhead gantries – which span both the eastbound and westbound carriageways of the motorway – are 40 metres wide and weigh 130 tonnes each. Specialist 500 tonne cranes will be used to remove the gantries during the closures between 9pm each Saturday night and 10am each Sunday morning as part of the £202 million smart motorway project. The scheme between junction 8 of the M60 near Sale and junction 20 of the M62 will see the latest technology being used to monitor traffic levels and keep vehicles moving by using variable speed limits. The hard shoulder will also be permanently converted into an extra lane to increase capacity between junctions 18 and 20 on the M62. Highways England project manager Paul Hampson said: These are massive structures and we will need to close the M62 to remove them safely by lifting the beams onto the carriageway, where they’ll be broken up and transported away, and then by removing the gantry legs using a smaller crane. We’re advising people to allow extra time for their journeys if they’re planning to travel when the closures are taking place, although we’ve deliberately timed the demolition work to be carried out when traffic levels are at their lowest. The overnight closures between junctions 19 and 20 on the M62 will take place on Saturday 14, 21 and 28 November, and on Saturday 5 December. The closures could be postponed if strong winds are forecast. The eastbound diversion route for the closures from junction 19 will operate north of the motorway – from junction 19 using the northbound A6046, eastbound A458 and southbound A627(M) down to junction 20. The westbound diversion will run south of the motorway – with drivers sent onto the southbound A627(M) from junction 20, westbound A664 and northbound A6046 up to junction 19. Work to demolish 16 overhead gantries began in April with the latest demolitions designed to complete the work. When the smart motorway scheme is completed in autumn 2017, around 200 new electronic message signs on overhead gantries will warn drivers of changes in the mandatory speed limit, lane closures and incidents ahead. To stay up to date with the latest developments, visit the scheme page.

On 2nd December, the Rt Hon John Hayes MP, UK Security Minister at the Home Office, will be officially opening this year’s Transport Security Expo at Olympia London. An MP since 1997, Mr Hayes has held a number of shadow ministerial and Government roles, including Minister of State at the Department for Transport and senior Parliamentary adviser to the Prime Minister. Transport Security Expo, now in its 13th edition, has become the main global platform bringing government, industry & academia together to counter the threat against our transportation networks. Sectors covered by the event include Aviation Security, Maritime Security, Rail Security, Major Events Transport Security, Secure Transportation and Border Security. Attracting over 4,500 international security professionals last year as well as 200 leading brand name global exhibitors, over 30 official Government-hosted country delegations and over 15 UK Stakeholder Agency Delegations, the event provides a high-level environment for decision makers and influencers with significant purchasing power. Continually evolving to reflect both the changing security landscape and the industry developments designed to meet emerging threats, Transport Security Expo will feature a number of new initiatives this year, including: Future Borders Experience The Future Borders Experience will provide a unique insight into next generation border security capability both through its exhibition features and its dedicated Presentation Theatre.   World of Perimeter Security World Of Perimeter Security will make Transport Security Expo the first ever trade show to offer a complete end-to-end integrated solution to protecting critical and sensitive sites, delivered in a single interactive tour.   VIP & International Delegations Lounge The International Delegations Lounge, co-ordinated with the assistance of the Home Office and UKTI DSO, will be at the heart of the Expo, ready to welcome over 30 official Government-hosted delegations.   Security Vehicles Zone From vehicles designed to transport cash and valuables to high-end luxury limousines protecting VIPs and Diplomats, the Security Vehicles Zone will be the largest ever at Transport Security Expo. Supporting the exhibition will be a conference programme, designed in close collaboration with an expert Advisory Board. Open to everyone to attend, free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis, the sessions will feature some of the most renowned opinion leaders in the industry. Peter Jones, CEO of Transport Security Expo’s organisers, Nineteen Events, commented: “This is an important milestone in the history of Transport Security Expo. This will be the first time the event has been officially opened by a Minister of State and it reflects the closeness with which we are now working with Government – including the Home Office and UKTI DSO – and the support they are providing, including the official invitation of international delegations to the event”. Registration for Transport Security Expo is free of charge and includes access to the exhibition as well as all conferences and workshops and the evening networking reception hosted on the 2nd December. Click here to register

Bam Nuttall and sister company Bam Ritchies have been charged with improving Lerwick harbour’s deep-water facilities in a move that will boost the Shetland Islands capacity to service the region’s offshore oil and gas industry. An integrated Bam ­construction team of Bam Nuttall and in-house geotechnical specialists BAM Ritchies are on site in the Shetland Islands completing a £11.75M project, which will advance plans for significant further expansion of Lerwick harbour’s deep-water facilities for supporting the offshore oil and gas industry. Employer Lerwick Port Authority (LPA) has commissioned Bam to lengthen the existing quay at Dales Voe South, by 75m to 130m overall, to support subsea developments and decommissioning. Lerwick has been servicing the offshore industry for over 50 years and LPA is aiming to enhance its reputation as a location for decommissioning. The extended quay will provide deep-water, versatile berthing and heavy load capacity to take an offshore structure in a single lift, with a substantial, expanded laydown area. Size matters: Bam is lengthening the existing quay at Dales Voe South Captain Calum Grains, Lerwick Port Authority deputy chief executive and harbourmaster, said: “The contract marks an important step in further developing Lerwick’s role as a leading centre of offshore industry operations. Dales Voe South is another value-added expansion and reflects our confidence in future activity, including ongoing subsea projects, particularly west of Shetland, and the developing decommissioning and offshore renewable markets.” The Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, are providing £2.39M in grants for the project, with Bank of Scotland supporting the port authority’s investment. The NEC Option A contract was awarded on the 30 January 2015 and the works began in April 2015 with scheduled completion due in May 2016. Arch Henderson LLP, are the employer’s designer, responsible for design and project management of the works. Heavy duty: Bam used a Bauer BG42 rig, which deployed a 30m telescopic kelly bar The contract to extend the quay by 75m, provide deck load-bearing capacity of 60t/m2 and link span line load of 800t/m run of quay to enable floating barge skid transfer of complete offshore topside modules with a minimum 12.5m draft, will provide an infrastructure that is among the deepest of its type in Scotland and the closest UK land fall for the offshore industry in the northern North Sea. The new quayside is being formed with 55,000m3 of reclamation using site won aggregate, retained behind a tied combi-pile wall constructed with 42, 1,575mm diameter 24mm wall thickness, maximum 21m long tubular piles with intermediate double AZ26 sheet piles. The front face of the combi wall is restrained with 18No. 125mm tie-bars to a 425m3 reinforced concrete anchor beam secured by 38No. multi-strand tension anchors up to 2250kN capacity and 114, 6m long shear dowel bars. The North and South combi walls are restrained by a further 19 tie bars connected to a reinforced concrete transfer beam. Quay capacity and support of the cope on the leading edge is enhanced by 24, 1,575mm diameter tubular bearing piles. These bearing piles create a double pile front face to the jetty extension. There are two return sheet pile walls each approximately 12m long, comprising of AZ50 sheet piles 12m in length. New look: An impression of the extended Dales Voe South Quay The tubular piles are installed in a rock socket of up to seven metres depth in highly competent quartz phyllite. In geological terms the local sequence comprises “Dales Voe Grit” – Quartzite, “Whiteness Division” – Metalimestone and the “Clift Hills Phyllitic Formation”. It was understood from the outset that the rock would pose significant challenges to conventional rotary drilling tools, so a unique pneumatic cluster drill was commissioned. Rock strengths in the area vary from very weak to very strong with peak characteristic strengths of 260MPa. A cluster drill A CDSZE1830 at 1.830m diameter with 13 No 0.2mdown-the-hole (DTH) hammers, forms a rock socket beyond the size that conventional rotary hammers are no longer viable. A 2m diameter conductor casing up to 24m in length is used to case off any underwater overburden. The drilling rig used for the tubular piles is a Bam operated Bauer BG42 deploying a 30m telescopic kelly bar. Bam are using an in-house designed modular piling platform to allow advancement of the combi-wall with the 165T BG-42 atop. To avoid using floating plant, the Bam engineering team has developed this temporary works solution to enable the heavy piling plant to operate while supported on each new section of piles as the works progress. The process of using fixed modules has allowed improved productivity over floating plant and reduced the risk of delays from weather conditions. On completion of the combi-wall a heavily reinforced coping beam 4.5m high and 5.1m wide is cast along the full extent of the berth. Following past success at Copland’s Dock in Orkney, Bam planned to form the cope using precast concrete sections infilled with in-situ concrete. “This is an important step in further developing Lerwick’s role as a leading centre of offshore industry operations” Calum Grains, Lerwick Port Authority The anchor beam was cast in-situ requiring mass pours of 1,200m3 underwater concrete to bring it up to formation. Formwork, reinforcement steel, anchor inserts and tie bars were then placed for the 460m3 beam cast in three pours, each commencing at low water. The rock anchors are up to 24m deep. The drilling is conducted by a Soilmec SM14 drilling rig deploying an Atlas Copco 8” Terranox down-the-hole hammer drilling at 216mm diameter. Both of the 18 and 13 strand anchors that are being installed have been provided by DSI to a Bam in-house design. All operations comprise heavy lifting. Full-time lifting support is provided by a Leibherr 300T and 135T crawler cranes. “The works have significant logistical and environmental challenges of a remote island environment” Graham Hopper, Bam Nuttall Bam project manager Graham Hopper commented “The works have significant logistical and environmental challenges of a remote island environment in addition to the technical challenges. The Shetland Islands, 960km north of London, are as

Chancellor George Osborne has hacked into the spending power of the Department for Transport (DfT). Osborne said the DfT was one of four that had agreed to cut their revenue spending by an average of 30% over the next four years. His announcement comes ahead of the 25 November spending review, when the government will outline spending plans for the rest of this parliament. The chancellor insisted the latest budget cuts would not impact on the £100bn infrastructure spend promised last week. “I can report to you that – with the support of my brilliant colleague Greg Hands, the chief secretary to the Treasury – we have reached provisional agreement on the spending plans of four government departments,” said Osborne. As well as the DfT, the deal applies to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for Communities and Local Government, and the Treasury. “The resource spending – that is the day-to-day spending of those four departments – will be cut by 30% on average in total over the next four years,” said Osborne. “These savings will be achieved by a combination of further efficiencies in departments, closing low value programmes, and focusing on our priorities as a country.” He insisted the cuts did not apply to capital spending. “As I set out last week at the launch of the National Infrastructure Commission, we will continue to invest in the things that make our economy more productive,” Osborne said. “We will spend £100bn on our infrastructure over the parliament – updating our roads and railways; investing in flood defences to protect our homes and businesses; and delivering superfast broadband across the country.” Further details of how the departments will achieve their spending cuts, and what they will spend their capital budgets on, will be revealed at the spending review. The ICE called in September for the ministers to protect infrastructure spending and to include cash for maintenance and repairs in initial budgeting.

A LEADING North East construction firm has launched a dedicated materials testing division to capitalise on opportunities within the North East civil engineering sector. OPAL Testing Services has been established by the Owen Pugh Group as an externally focused business, to provide UKAS accredited aggregate and soils testing both on site and within the materials testing laboratory based at Marsden Quarry in Whitburn. The work undertaken by the seven strong team includes carrying out sampling and testing to ensure materials comply with relevant specifications for construction and civil engineering use. The team also undertakes site investigation work, providing a factual geotechnical assessment of the ground conditions related to the proposed development. While Owen Pugh Aggregates, which owns and operates the Marsden Quarry site, has previously offered materials testing as a service to other divisions within the Owen Pugh Group, the launch of OPAL Testing Services follows an investment of £100k in equipment, facilities and a new vehicle as well as the recruitment of two new apprentices, Maxine Dennis and Dominic Brown, to enable the business to generate its own revenue stream.  OPAL is already attracting work from a number of construction and civil engineering companies as well as local authorities and has already secured work on significant regional schemes. Michael Aiston, Lab Manager at OPAL Testing Services, said: “The launch of OPAL Testing Services was a natural progression for the materials testing facility at Marsden Quarry.  With significant schemes like the development of the New Wear Crossing and Morpeth Bypass underway in the region, and the recent expansion of our lab facilities, now is the time to capitalise on our assets and become an externally focused operation.  We’re pleased to welcome on board apprentice lab technicians Maxine and Dominic who are already showing real promise and will ensure we’re well positioned to meet customer demands.” Michael says that the commitment to high quality customer service and swift turnaround times will ensure the success of the operation. He added: “The customer experience is at the forefront of everything we do.  We are committed to doing everything possible to meet and exceed their requirements, for example we’re able to provide the results of plate bearing tests instantly on site which means fewer delays for the customer.” OPAL Testing Services is also committed to investing in the latest equipment to maintain efficiencies and ensure the highest Health & Safety standards, for example it has invested in an Electronic Density Gauge (EDG), a nuclear-free alternative for determining the moisture and density of compacted soils used in road beds and foundations. Michael added: “We pride ourselves operate at the forefront of technology which again allows both ourselves and our customers to be as effective and efficient as possible.” John Dickson, chairman of the Owen Pugh Group, said: “The launch of OPAL Testing Services is an exciting development for the group which allows us to maximise the materials testing capabilities at our Marsden Quarry site.  With a number of major schemes underway in the region the OPAL Testing Services team is well placed to utilise its specialist capabilities to ensure the future growth of the division.” A new website has been developed to underpin the launch of OPAL Testing Services which can be found at: www.opaltestingservices.com OPAL Testing Services is part of the Owen Pugh Group which comprises five trading companies operating in the civil engineering industry, undertaking earthmoving and demolition, drainage and groundworks, plant hire and haulage, quarrying, inert waste and drain cleaning, and CCTV surveys.  The group, which employs more than 430 staff across its divisions, is headquartered in Dudley near Cramlington, with other bases in Blaydon, Sunderland, Stockton-on-Tees and Marsden Quarry.   For further information about the Owen Pugh Group visit www.owenpugh.com.

DB Schenker Rail UK has announced a triple win after securing contracts with construction companies United Asphalt, Brett Aggregates and J Clubb. Each contract will see the UK’s leading rail freight operator transport aggregates across the UK, providing a more eco-friendly alternative to road transportation. The deals will save 2 million road miles each year. DB Schenker Rail UK has secured a five year contract with United Asphalt to transport hard stone aggregate from Ipswich Docks and Avonmouth Docks to Theale, Berkshire and is the first time that imported hard stone has been moved from Ipswich Docks by rail. Three services will be completed each week, carrying approximately 1,300 tonnes of aggregate per train. The first service ran from Avonmouth Docks on 12 October carrying specialist skid resistant aggregates imported from Belfast. United Asphalt, an independent asphalt manufacturing business producing quality assured asphalt, macadam and specialist surfacing products, is purchasing rail services directly for the first time. The introduction of DB Schenker’s rail freight service means that up to 135 lorry loads will be removed from the roads each week, leading to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. David Fletcher, Head of Construction Sales at DB Schenker Rail UK, said: “This is the first time that United Asphalt has directly purchased rail transport and we are delighted they have selected DBSR UK to provide these services. “As the leading supplier of rail services to the construction sector this is an exciting project and we are already working with United Asphalt on additional rail services.’’ Brett Aggregates, one of the largest independent producers of sand and gravel in the UK, has also chosen DB Schenker Rail UK’s services, in a 10 year contract. The new deal will see the rail freight operator moving aggregates, for use in the production of concrete, from Cliffe, Kent to Brett Aggregates’ new railhead in Neasden, North London. Brett Aggregates has been working with DB Schenker Rail UK for around three years to open this facility, which will allow the delivery of aggregates into central London without using road transport. The new service, which commenced 14 October, will run at a rate of two trains per week carrying approximately 1,300 tonnes of material per train, the equivalent of around 90 lorry loads. Brett Aggregates provides a wide range of traditional and recycled products from 32 quarry sites and wharves in London, the South East and East of England. “Our partnership with Brett Aggregates provides an efficient and eco-friendly way to transport material into the capital” said David Fletcher.   “We have been successfully operating the Ipswich to Watford traffic for Brett Aggregates since 2013 and the development of services to the new Neasden railhead further strengthens our relationship with them.” Adding to their success DB Schenker Rail UK has also started a contract with J Clubb this month, transporting ash from West Burton Power Station, Nottinghamshire to East Peckham, Kent. The new six year deal will see DB Schenker Rail UK operate two trains per week, transporting around 1,200 tonnes of product per train. The ash is used in the production of concrete blocks, an eco-alternative to tipping the ash for waste. The initiation of this contract follows the work by J Clubb to reinstate the former East Peckham railhead to handle such traffic. The first service arrived at the railhead on 14 October and was the first regular rail traffic through the site for at least 10 years. Jon Clarke, Account Manager at DB Schenker Rail UK, said: “We are very pleased to be working in partnership with J Clubb to deliver product to the newly reinstated East Peckham Railhead site. “The closure of coal fired power stations in Kent has meant alternative sources needed to be identified. Using rail freight to transport the aggregates removes around 170 lorry loads from road transport each week.”

Electricity storage could offer a secure, affordable and cleaner future for Britain’s electricity grid if regulators, Government and industry took steps to break down the barriers that are hindering its potential, according to the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE). In its report published today, Electricity Storage: Realising the Potential, the leading engineering body says it is time electricity storage – an existing technology – is recognised as a viable long term means of transitioning the country towards a secure and affordable, low-carbon economy. It calls on industry and Government to work with regulators and “breathe life” into the stunted industry. According to Government estimates, electric-intensive technologies of the future such as electric cars and heated homes will increase Britain’s electricity demand six-fold by 2050. Despite recent advances in technology, actual deployment of electricity storage in the energy system is less than 3 GW. No significant grid-connected storage has been commissioned for over thirty years. The ICE report says a mix of electricity storage technologies will be needed to ensure the efficient distribution and generation of electricity, and meet the projected surge in demand for electricity. It found that industry can apply the storage process to Britain’s existing power networks to help bolster energy security generated from renewable sources – without the need of major subsidies. But Government would need to address the regulation holding back the construction and operation of electricity storage within the energy market. One of the report authors, Dr Philipp Grünewald, a Research Fellow at Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford commented: “If Britain is to transition to a more secure, affordable and low carbon ‘electric economy’ it must broaden its energy mix. This will require a fundamental change to our infrastructure requirements, and electricity storage could play an important role. “Similar in principle to how a camel stores excess energy generated from the food it eats as fat in its hump, an electricity storage unit allows distributors and renewable generators to convert surplus electricity into chemical or kinetic energy, save it, then convert back into electricity to distribute at times when overall demand is higher. “Markets and regulation do not currently recognise the potential of electricity storage and need to adapt if Britain is to take full advantage of the technologies on offer. We have built a national electricity grid to deliver electricity from where it is generated to where it is needed. Electricity storage can help us in much the same way by moving electricity from when it is generated to when it is needed. With more and cheaper renewables, storage will become a crucial part of efficient future energy systems. “We must all work together to breathe life into a sector with huge potential, not only in response to the energy ‘trilemma’ – the challenge of producing secure, affordable and clean energy – but also in positioning the country as a leading technology innovator. “Ahead of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Paris next month, leaders from across the world are now looking to engineers for practical ways to respond to climate change. It is time to realise the potential of electricity storage as a better way of operating the electricity system, and recognise it as a driver of skilled jobs and innovation.”