Local leaders joined Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, and principal contractor Chasetown Civil Engineering, to watch a 600-tonne crawler crane lift the first major span of the new Walton Bridge over the River Trent. The lift took place on the morning of Friday 27 February 2026, following
John F Hunt has been appointed by British Land under a pre-construction services agreement to deliver the demolition and deconstruction package for the redevelopment of London’s Euston Tower. The contractor previously carried out the soft strip of the 36-storey building in 2024 and will now dismantle the structure while retaining
Bristol Airport has awarded a £30m terminal extension project to leading building and civil engineering contractor Farrans, as it continues with its plans to invest £400 million to transform the airport experience for customers. Work has already commenced on the two-floor terminal extension which will infill an area between the existing terminal building and the departure gates. The new area will cater for an
Rolls-Royce SMR has signed a contract with Skanska UK to deliver an aseismic bearing pedestal demonstrator for its small modular reactor (SMR) programme. These structural isolation devices are central to the factory-built nuclear plant’s design, decoupling buildings and infrastructure from ground motion during seismic events to improve safety and resilience.
A man-made mountain of more than 2,500 tonnes of crushed demolition material has been transported across Edinburgh as part of an innovative scheme to provide a long-term solution for people facing homelessness. The mammoth operation saw almost 100 truckloads of inert building rubble recycled from a city centre development site
United Infrastructure, a leading provider of solutions for the UK’s critical infrastructure, is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Social Infrastructure, has secured two major contracts totalling £14 million with Bromsgrove District Housing Trust (bdht), to enhance and decarbonise social housing across the Midlands. bdht is a registered provider of
Award of £75m Project Control Resources Framework will take Costain and EDF’s partnership to 2030 Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has been awarded a new five-year framework contract by EDF to continue providing project controls services at EDF’s eight nuclear power stations across the UK. Costain has been working with
OCU Group, a leading UK-based energy transition and utilities services company, today announced the acquisition of Valmech, a specialist provider of district heating and mechanical engineering services. The acquisition strengthens OCU’s position within the UK’s energy transition market, enhancing its integrated energy and utilities offering and establishing a dedicated platform for
This is the North of England contractor’s first appointment to the framework for major civils projects. Esh Construction has been appointed to YORhub’s second-generation civil engineering major works framework which will support the delivery of large-scale infrastructure schemes across the Yorkshire and the Humber and East Midlands region. With an
Between April and September 2025, significant progress has been made in preparation for the Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster, following completion of deep ground investigations beneath Parliament’s River Terrace and in the River Thames. Using a jack-up barge, positioned opposite the Palace’s river-facing terrace, specialist UK engineering
Local leaders joined Vistry, the UK’s leading provider of mixed-tenure homes, and principal contractor Chasetown Civil Engineering, to watch a 600-tonne crawler crane lift the first major span of the new Walton Bridge over the River Trent. The lift took place on the morning of Friday 27 February 2026, following two earlier postponements caused by flooding and high winds. Vistry and Chasetown Civil Engineering were joined by stakeholders from Derbyshire County Council, South Derbyshire District Council, Staffordshire County Council, East Staffordshire Borough Council, Walton Parish Council and Drakelow Parish Council for the opportunity to watch the operation and capture the occasion with a group photograph. Drone footage was also recorded during the lift. * Phil McHugh, Divisional Managing Director of Vistry North West Midlands, said: “After the challenges posed by the weather, it’s fantastic to see the first span of Walton Bridge finally lifted into place. This is a major milestone for the project and a vital step in improving transport links for both existing communities and future residents.” The new bridge forms part of the new 1.5km bypass construction project to replace the existing one‑way weight restricted, traffic signal controlled, bailey bridge at Walton‑on‑Trent, which has long acted as a bottleneck for traffic. Once complete, it will provide vital unrestricted access across the River Trent, improving connectivity for local residents and for the 2,000 new residents planned at Dracan Village, Vistry’s major regeneration project on the former Drakelow power station site. The scheme is also expected to support economic growth across the wider area. Work on the £25m bypass project began in February 2025, following planning consent from South Derbyshire District Council and East Staffordshire Borough Council. The bridge is 150 metres long and constructed from three spans, with the central span across the River Trent measuring 64 metres with157 tonnes of steelwork, while the eastern and western spans each measure 43 metres and weigh 93 tonnes. The total weight of the structural steelwork is approximately 510 tonnes, including bracings. The underside of the bridge has been designed to allow around 2.6 metres of flood clearance, and the highway construction will include six culvert structures to cater for flood waters, enhancing long‑term resilience. Installation of the bridge will take place in six separate lifting phases, with approximately nine weeks required to install the girders and main deck elements. Abutment and pier construction is already complete, with surfacing and finishing works to follow once the main structure is in place. In total, around 10,750 tonnes of tarmac will be used as part of the scheme. A full trial assembly of the bridge steelwork took place in December 2025 at Jamestown’s steel manufacturing facility in Portarlington, Ireland. In‑person inspections were carried out during production and the bridge installation executed through Chasetown Civil Engineering and their collaborative Shropshire Alliance partnership with Beaver Bridges and Foundation Piling.** Matt Procter, Head of Business Development from Chasetown Civil Engineering said: “It is an incredibly proud moment for everyone involved. This is a perfect example of how strategic infrastructure unlocks communities – connecting people, places and new homes while solving long-standing local transport challenges”. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
John F Hunt has been appointed by British Land under a pre-construction services agreement to deliver the demolition and deconstruction package for the redevelopment of London’s Euston Tower. The contractor previously carried out the soft strip of the 36-storey building in 2024 and will now dismantle the structure while retaining its reinforced concrete core, which will stand at its full height of 126 metres. The decision to preserve the lift-and-stair core forms a central part of the redevelopment strategy. To facilitate the safe removal of the surrounding structure, John F Hunt’s engineering consultancy, RKD, has designed a complex temporary works solution to stabilise and strengthen the core as it becomes free-standing. The engineering challenge is significant, with the retained core expected to be one of the tallest of its kind in London. RKD director Mark Blackmore said the team would work closely with British Land’s engineers, Arup, throughout the design process. He described the scheme as potentially the first in London to engineer a 126-metre core to remain free-standing, highlighting both the complexity and technical innovation involved. In a departure from traditional demolition methods, John F Hunt will replace the standard scaffold envelope used for perimeter protection with hydraulic frame technology. A six-storey Climbing Protection Screen will be installed at upper floor levels, providing safe access and reducing operatives’ exposure to working at height. The bespoke, automated system will descend progressively as the demolition advances. Although the existing foundations are being retained, the basement will be extended to accommodate the increased footprint of the new building, which will grow from 350,000 sq ft to 550,000 sq ft. Basement works, piling and the construction of the new ground floor structure will proceed while deconstruction continues several metres above. Mace is acting as main contractor on the £600m redevelopment. Glen Clark, managing director of John F Hunt’s London business, said the project presented significant technical challenges and underlined the value of early engagement and collaboration in delivering a solution focused on safety, sustainability and programme certainty. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bristol Airport has awarded a £30m terminal extension project to leading building and civil engineering contractor Farrans, as it continues with its plans to invest £400 million to transform the airport experience for customers. Work has already commenced on the two-floor terminal extension which will infill an area between the existing terminal building and the departure gates. The new area will cater for an increase to 12 million passengers per year. There will be more space and almost double the number of shops and restaurants, with 17 new units being incorporated into the design. There will also be space for island retail units and more seating, designed with comfort in mind. The arrivals hall is also benefitting from a new domestic arrivals reclaim area with an additional baggage carousel and an increase in capacity by 20%. Accessibility in immigration will be improved with new lifts and stairs. Farrans, in a joint venture with Griffiths, previously completed the new Public Transport Interchange at Bristol Airport on time and on budget in July 2025. The £60 million project, also part of the Airport’s £400 million investment, has enabled more sustainable journeys and sees around 250 public transport movements a day. Andrew Goodenough, Infrastructure Director at Bristol Airport said: “We have ambitious plans to transform our customer experience over the next couple of years, and we really appreciate our customers patience and understanding while all of these massive improvements are taking place. “Floor space is going to increase by almost 45% and we’ll have a total of 38 retail and food and beverage outlets including premium brands and dining options as well as a hidden speakeasy bar. We’re pleased to have Farrans back on site with us to deliver this project following the success of our Public Transport Interchange.” Gerard McNamee, Project Manager at Farrans said: “This is an exciting project which will be completed in a live environment in which all passenger routes need to remain open at all times. We have an extensive aviation portfolio with projects underway at Leeds Bradford Airport, Stansted Airport and Bristol Airport at the moment, so we are well versed in working collaboratively with our clients to reduce any disruption. We will be installing insulated hoardings and creating air locked spaces to maintain passenger flow. “One of the most innovative features logistically for this project is that we will be using a Bailey Bridge, a modular military style bridge designed for rapid construction to temporarily bridge gaps, to bring our vehicles and equipment from land side to airside. We anticipate that at the peak of this project we will have approximately 150 people employed and many will be from local suppliers. As with our Public Transport Interchange scheme we will be working with our client to deliver an impactful social value programme throughout the extension works.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Rolls-Royce SMR has signed a contract with Skanska UK to deliver an aseismic bearing pedestal demonstrator for its small modular reactor (SMR) programme. These structural isolation devices are central to the factory-built nuclear plant’s design, decoupling buildings and infrastructure from ground motion during seismic events to improve safety and resilience. The work will be carried out at Skanska’s fabrications facility in Doncaster, England, and will include building a prototype of the aseismic bearing pedestal. The demonstrator is intended to enable standardisation of the Rolls-Royce SMR design across a wide range of geotechnical and seismic conditions. Ruth Todd CBE, Rolls-Royce SMR Operations and Supply Chain Director, said: “Working with Skanska is a significant step forward in proving the capability of our aseismic bearing technology and demonstrating our modular approach to construction. By working with a trusted delivery partner, we are de-risking our ‘fleet-based’ approach and creating opportunities for more British and Czech suppliers to play a key role the Rolls-Royce SMR mission.” Skanska, one of the world’s leading project development and construction companies, delivers complex building and infrastructure projects across sectors such as energy and transport. Headquartered in Sweden, it has a strong presence in the UK, North America and Europe, including the Czech Republic, and brings decades of civil engineering, project management and sustainable construction expertise. Adam McDonald, Executive Vice President at Skanska UK, said: “We’ll be bringing our civil engineering, design and fabrications expertise to build and test a first-of-its-kind pre-cast bearing pedestal – a critical component for Rolls-Royce SMR in building new nuclear power generation. Over the coming months, we’ll develop the prototype and run various technical trials at our Bentley Works facility in Doncaster. We are looking forward to playing our part in developing the next generation of nuclear energy.” Rolls-Royce SMR has been named preferred bidder in the Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) SMR competition and by European utility ČEZ to deliver up to three gigawatts of new nuclear power in the Czech Republic. GBE-N recently confirmed Wylfa on Ynys Môn (Anglesey) as the site for the UK’s first SMRs, aiming to provide up to 1.5GW of low-carbon energy to the grid, support the UK’s net zero goals and create an estimated 8,000 quality long-term British jobs. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A man-made mountain of more than 2,500 tonnes of crushed demolition material has been transported across Edinburgh as part of an innovative scheme to provide a long-term solution for people facing homelessness. The mammoth operation saw almost 100 truckloads of inert building rubble recycled from a city centre development site to form the foundations of a new Social Bite Village, located along the capital’s Granton waterfront. Charity Social Bite teamed up with regeneration specialist Artisan Real Estate to relocate building material which remained following the demolition of the former Deutsche Bank House at 525 Ferry Road, making way for Artisan’s spectacular homes-led redevelopment of the site in 2026. The recycled rubble is now being used to create level groundwork as part of the ongoing construction of the Social Bite Village which will soon become home for up to 16 people who have been affected by homelessness. The new waterfront community will provide seven new one-bedroom ‘Nest Houses’, together with existing homes converted into single occupancy based on resident feedback. The new community will also include a communal area for residents to cook, gather and relax, together with gardens and space to grow fruit and vegetables. “This is a superb example of how clever collaboration in the building industry can help improve the world around us,” says Artisan’s Managing Director for Scotland, David Westwater. “As part of Artisan’s stated commitment to sustainability, we always ensure that as much material as possible can be reused or recycled following demolition. And for this commitment to allow us to help such a life-empowering movement as the creation of a new Social Bite Village means that this really is a perfect development partnership.” The new Social Bite Village is a relocation of the existing temporary village site, less than one mile away in Granton. The charity’s Edinburgh village model has so far helped more than 100 residents who, at the end of their stay, are supported in transitioning to permanent accommodation. Many have gone on to secure employment, reconnect with family, and move into their own permanent homes. Josh Littlejohn MBE, founder of Social Bite, adds: “It’s very exciting to see our new project taking shape on a stunning seafront location, and we are delighted to be partnering with Artisan to provide such a firm foundation for the site. “The success of the Edinburgh Village serves as a blueprint for other projects that we are planning. Its design offers people affected by homelessness, living in unsupported temporary accommodation or other insecure housing, a safe and supportive community in which to find a fresh start. With many cities all over the UK declaring housing emergencies and becoming overly reliant on expensive, substandard temporary accommodation, we are proud that our village projects can demonstrate a better alternative that also makes use of innovative construction methods.” Artisan will start construction of its Ferry Road site, known as 525 Park View in early 2026, in partnership with REInvest Asset Management S.A. The development will create a low-carbon residential-led community providing 256 sustainable homes, 25% of which will be for affordable housing. Flexible commercial space facing on to Ferry Road will provide potential for cafes, shops and shared workspaces. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
United Infrastructure, a leading provider of solutions for the UK’s critical infrastructure, is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Social Infrastructure, has secured two major contracts totalling £14 million with Bromsgrove District Housing Trust (bdht), to enhance and decarbonise social housing across the Midlands. bdht is a registered provider of affordable homes, managing around 4,000 properties across Bromsgrove and the surrounding areas. bdht is committed to delivering high-quality, sustainable housing and services that meet the needs of local people. The first contract will see United Infrastructure deliver circa £10 million of large-scale retrofit and decarbonisation measures across bdht’s housing portfolio. The initiative aims to improve the energy efficiency of more than 500 homes in its initial phase, with the potential to scale to 1,000 properties over the duration of the programme. Scheduled to begin straightaway and delivered over two years, with potential for extension, the project will ensure that all bdht homes meet an EPC rating of C or above by 2030. The retrofit measures will reduce carbon emissions, improve the thermal performance of homes, and make them more affordable to heat. The works will also address longstanding issues such as damp and mould, significantly enhancing resident wellbeing. United Infrastructure has also been awarded a £4 million contract to deliver a comprehensive programme of planned refurbishment works. The project, procured through the Procurement for Housing (PfH) Framework, will commence in November 2025 and is scheduled to complete in March 2026. The works will involve the replacement of kitchens and bathrooms, installation of new boilers and heating systems, upgrades to windows and doors, and the renewal of roofing elements. This investment reflects bdht’s ongoing commitment to maintaining modern, energy-efficient homes and supports United Infrastructure’s mission to deliver safe, comfortable, and sustainable living environments for local communities. United Infrastructure will work in close collaboration with bdht to ensure the delivery of high-quality outcomes. Both contracts place strong emphasis on delivering meaningful social value, including the creation of employment and training opportunities, support for bdht’s liaison staff, and a neighbourhood-based approach that maximises community benefit across all tenures. These important contracts help further broaden United Infrastructure’s footprint in the Midlands, making it a significant local employer and contributor to local economic growth. Vlad Nedelcu, Chief Operating Officer, Social Infrastructure, commented: “We are proud to partner with bdht on these transformative programmes. Together, we are not only improving the quality and energy performance of homes but also delivering long-term value to residents and supporting sustainable communities across the Midlands.” Steve Phillips, Head of Asset Management, bdht, said: “These new contracts with United Infrastructure will make a real difference to bdht customers and their communities. The £14 million investment will make hundreds of homes warmer, more energy-efficient and more affordable to run. Alongside this, essential upgrades to kitchens, bathrooms, heating systems, roofs, windows, and doors will help ensure our homes remain safe, modern and well-maintained for many years to come.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Award of £75m Project Control Resources Framework will take Costain and EDF’s partnership to 2030 Costain, the infrastructure solutions company, has been awarded a new five-year framework contract by EDF to continue providing project controls services at EDF’s eight nuclear power stations across the UK. Costain has been working with EDF since 2017, when it was first named on EDF’s Project Controls Resources Framework to support the safe operation, plant life extension, and preparations for the defueling and decommissioning of EDF’s UK nuclear power stations. The extension of the Framework, which is worth £75m to Costain over five years, will take Costain and EDF’s partnership through to 2030. The framework was also extended in 2021 and 2023. Costain’s award winning project controls team will continue to apply its expertise in areas including programme management and quality and safety to grow EDF’s core project controls capabilities, providing specialist capabilities to improve project performance, deliver cost efficiencies, and support strategic resource planning. Costain will also support EDF on its transition from generation to defueling of Advanced Gas Reactors. Costain manages over 400 projects on the Framework, which are delivered by a workforce of more than 170 integrated project controls professionals, 50 of which are trainees and juniors, supporting the growth of skills in the complex, highly regulated nuclear energy sector. Bob Anstey, sector director, defence and nuclear energy at Costain, commented: “The extension of our relationship with EDF is testament to our established position in the UK’s civil nuclear energy market and our delivery of predictable, best-in-class nuclear decommissioning and project controls services. “We’ve been a trusted partner to EDF since 2017, during which time we have consistently delivered and increased the breadth of our services, and we’re very happy to be continuing our partnership for another five years. We’ll continue to deliver projects across a range of complex working environments to the highest safety standards, whilst supporting the development of skills in the sector to help futureproof the workforce and support local prosperity.” Rohan Mulvaney, head of nuclear decommissioning PMO at EDF, said: “EDF is a leader in the UK’s nuclear energy sector and we demonstrate a long-term commitment to low-carbon sources of electricity to power economic growth and deliver energy security. Costain has been a reliable partner to us for many years, and this contract award will support the continued project control services for safe operations and decommissioning activities at our nuclear power stations.” The framework extension comes following a period of success for Costain in the nuclear energy sector. Costain recently secured contracts to deliver utilities infrastructure upgrades at Sellafield and decommissioning work at Trawsfynydd nuclear power station in North Wales. Earlier this year it was also awarded contracts to provide expertise for the construction of Sizewell C and to design Urenco’s advanced nuclear fuels production facility in Cheshire. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
OCU Group, a leading UK-based energy transition and utilities services company, today announced the acquisition of Valmech, a specialist provider of district heating and mechanical engineering services. The acquisition strengthens OCU’s position within the UK’s energy transition market, enhancing its integrated energy and utilities offering and establishing a dedicated platform for district heating delivery, with potential for future international growth. Headquartered near Sheffield, Valmech was founded in 2016 and provides mechanical services including district heating installations, plant rooms, heating and domestic pipework services and gas pipework. The company has built a strong reputation for delivering safe, timely and high-quality projects across the UK. Following the acquisition, Valmech will continue to be led by its current management team as part of OCU Group, ensuring continuity for its clients and employees. Michael Hughes, CEO of OCU Group, commented: “Bringing Valmech into OCU Group is a strategic step that strengthens our core capabilities and aligns closely with our values and long-term vision. We are actively laying the foundations to extend these capabilities both across the UK and internationally. This move reinforces our commitment to the communities we serve – creating employment and supporting affordable energy through high-quality engineering expertise.” Simon Waller, founder of Valmech said: “Partnering with OCU Group opens an exciting new chapter for Valmech. OCU’s strength in the utilities and energy transformation, along with their commitment to people, safety and innovation, will support our long-term growth and the development of our team. Together, we will be able to offer clients an even more comprehensive service in the UK and, in time, explore new opportunities in international markets.” Adrian O’ Sullivan COO & MD – OCU Utilities, commented “Valmech brings a wealth of mechanical and in-house manufacturing experience on district heating networks which, blended with OCU’s existing civils and pipeline capabilities, will serve as a full value chain platform for further growth in the district heating market, enabling OCU to meet rising demand for advanced solutions as the UK invests in modern, low-carbon infrastructure.” The acquisition brings together aligned values and complementary expertise, strengthening OCU Group’s ability to deliver high-quality outcomes for new and existing clients across a broader range of projects. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
This is the North of England contractor’s first appointment to the framework for major civils projects. Esh Construction has been appointed to YORhub’s second-generation civil engineering major works framework which will support the delivery of large-scale infrastructure schemes across the Yorkshire and the Humber and East Midlands region. With an estimated potential value of £250 million per annum, the framework is designed for the procurement of public sector civil engineering projects worth more than £10 million. Schemes procured will include construction works, civil engineering, bridge and structure works, highway surfacing, coastal protection, flood alleviation, and associated design services. The appointment builds on the success of Esh’s capital infrastructure portfolio across the North East, including the Tyne Bridge Restoration and Stockton Waterfront Urban Park projects. It also builds on Esh’s existing relationship with the YORhub family of frameworks. In Yorkshire, Esh has a track record of delivering key infrastructure upgrades, with the £6.4 million Sheffield Road Cycleways and Maltby Bus Corridor project, among a trio of active travel schemes delivered recently for Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council. The M181 Phase 1 works, delivered in partnership with North Lincolnshire Council, also saw Esh install two roundabouts on the outskirts of Scunthorpe to facilitate future development. Ross Markwell, Business Development Director at Esh Construction, said: “Securing a place on the YORcivil Major Framework marks a key milestone in Esh’s strategic growth plans and reflects the quality, value and social impact we consistently deliver. “We have a proven capability in delivering complex, capital projects – with over £100 million in major schemes currently underway across the North East – and we are poised to bring our expertise to investment programmes within the Yorkshire region. We’re looking forward to building on our existing relationships while forging new local authority partnerships through the framework appointment.” The YORcivil Major Works 2 Contractor Framework covers 21 local authorities spanning from North Yorkshire down to Derbyshire. It forms part of a collaborative approach to procurement, enabling public sector bodies to access experienced contractors for large-scale civil engineering works. In 2023, Esh secured its place on Lots 1, 2 and 3 of the YORcivil3 framework for projects worth up to £10 million. Among the projects secured through this route so far are the Elland Access Package, the repair and strengthening of Drypool Bridge and the A638 Dewsbury to Cleckheaton Sustainable Travel Corridor, working for Calderdale Council, Hull City Council and Kirklees Council respectively. Elsewhere in the region, Esh has been directly appointed to deliver a £19.1 million project to transform Brighouse town centre. Markwell added: “We understand the importance of delivering not just infrastructure, but long-term value for communities. We are committed to embedding social value into every stage – from local supply chain engagement to creating opportunities for apprentices and trainees. “We’re excited to bring this approach to the YORcivil Major Framework and to work in partnership with clients to deliver infrastructure that makes a lasting difference.” To find out more about Esh Construction, visit www.eshgroup.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Between April and September 2025, significant progress has been made in preparation for the Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster, following completion of deep ground investigations beneath Parliament’s River Terrace and in the River Thames. Using a jack-up barge, positioned opposite the Palace’s river-facing terrace, specialist UK engineering teams drilled 14 boreholes into the Thames riverbed to assess its geological makeup. These marine surveys focused on capturing a detailed snapshot of the riverbed’s condition, providing essential data to support potential future construction near the river frontage and any temporary works within the Thames. Lord McFall, the Lord Speaker said: “I was very impressed by the professionalism and dedication of the experts on board the drilling platform in the Thames, and it was an eye-opening to see London clay dating back millions of years and ancient riverbed material before it was packed into crates and sent for analysis as part of the restoration and renewal programme.” Judith Cummins MP, Deputy Speaker of the Commons and R&R Programme Board Chair, said: “Our experts are getting on with the job of planning for the extensive restoration of the Palace of Westminster. It was great to meet the drilling team who are based across the UK showing the great opportunity for specialists and suppliers nationwide to get involved in restoring Parliament.” Andy Piper, Design and Engineering Director at the Delivery Authority said: “These investigations have given us invaluable insight into the geological conditions east of Parliament, an area that has never been mapped in such detail before. Alongside critical data to inform design, we confirmed the location of Charles Barry’s 19th-century cofferdam, a fascinating glimpse into the engineering behind the rebuilding of the Palace following the fire of 1834.” The River Thames works were delivered by leading UK ground investigation specialists, Structural Soils, part of the RSK Group, under the direction of the Restoration and Renewal Delivery Authority. Gareth Jones, Structural Soils’ Senior Engineering Project Manager, said: “Our team applied specialist expertise in overwater drilling under tidal conditions, using boreholes, Cone Penetrometer Tests, and geophysical surveys to assess site geology and hydrogeology. Advanced CHIRP modelling also enabled us to create a 3D model of the superficial soils. These works were undertaken from both a central moonpool and from a cantilever that provided a stable, over-the-edge platform from which we could safely work close to these historic structures.” On land, boreholes drilled on the River Terrace aimed to confirm the boundary between two major geological layers: the London Clay Formation and the deeper Lambeth Group. These ancient formations have been beneath London for tens of millions of years and are key to understanding how future basements, and service routes can be safely constructed. London Clay is widely used for tunnelling due to its stability, while the Lambeth Group presents more challenging ground conditions, including high water pressures. The River Terrace installations include two distinct types of monitoring equipment. Groundwater monitoring devices have been installed to track changes in water quality and conditions over time, providing essential data on tidal fluctuations that will inform the design of future basement structures. In addition, due to the proximity of the boreholes to the Palace, vibration monitoring devices were deployed to assess any potential impact on the historic building and its collections. This data will be critical in understand how the structure responds to subterranean works and will help guide the safe decanting and protection of heritage objects during future construction phases. The River Terrace surveys, carried out by UK site engineering specialists Concept, also marked a shift in logistics management on the Restoration and Renewal Programme. With limited land access to the Palace of Westminster’s River Terrace – due to traffic, safety, and heritage considerations – the project team used the Thames to deliver heavy drilling equipment directly to site. This innovative approach helped overcome complex site conditions while keeping disruption to the surrounding area to a minimum. James Palmer, Director of Marine Operations at the Port of London Authority, said: “There is real scope for the river to support construction projects with freight being moved safely and greenly on the Thames. Even the biggest engineering challenges, such as the restoration and renewal of Parliament, can benefit from embracing those possibilities, delivering operational efficiency, while alleviating emissions and easing pressure on the city’s roads.” What’s next? These latest investigations build on seventeen previous borehole surveys across the Parliamentary Estate, adding valuable new data to support the Delivery Authority’s advanced digital modelling of the Palace. For the first time, advanced digital tools are replacing thousands of legacy drawings and files, providing a single source of accurate information that shapes the scope, sequencing and delivery of future works. While lab testing of borehole samples continues, early findings from the River Thames deposits have offered clues about how Charles Barry’s cofferdam was dismantled. A buried timber pile found just below the riverbed suggests the structure was cut down rather than fully removed – echoing an 1849 article that described the difficulty of extracting timber piles from the river. These insights will help guide potential future activity along the river frontage, and are already being shared with the team behind the Victoria Tower project, who are using similar vibration monitoring techniques to assess the impact of their own planned works on the historic structure. Costed proposals for the Restoration and Renewal of the Palace of Westminster, detailing delivery options, timescales, risks, and benefits, are expected to be published later this year. All options represent a significant, multibillion-pound investment in the future of the Palace, supporting jobs and opportunities across the UK, including for craftspeople and specialists. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals