Cordel Group, an artificial intelligence platform, has officially started its data contract with Network Rail to provide advanced data capture services on High Speed One (HS1). The AIM-listed company has successfully installed its equipment on trains, which now operate in daily service, delivering crucial engineering insights to the UK’s rail
Proposals for the development of three new railway stations in the West Midlands are underway, with Castle Bromwich, Coventry East, and Tettenhall identified as prime locations for potential stations. The West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE) has allocated £1 million to advance the proposals, marking a significant stride in enhancing public
MoniRail, a leading expert in monitoring rail infrastructure, has secured a significant grant from the UK government’s prestigious SBRI Quantum Catalyst Fund. The Phase 2 award, funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Innovate UK, will enable MoniRail to spearhead the development of a groundbreaking quantum-based
Britain’s most extensive construction project, HS2, is proving to be a catalyst for the growth of small businesses. Recent data reveals that HS2’s civil contractors doubled their spending with SMEs (companies with 250 or fewer employees) in the financial year 2022/23 compared to the previous year. Small and medium-sized businesses,
A new study by Juniper Research, the foremost experts in technology markets, forecasts substantial growth of 182% in the number of smart parking spaces within cities; from 5.8 million in 2024. Smart parking utilises a combination of sensors and real-time data to provide road users with information on closest available
The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is close to reaching the halfway mark of its ambitious aim to take on 590 apprentices across the rail upgrade between Manchester and York, via Leeds and Huddersfield. The number of apprentices on the multi-billion-pound programme has reached 264, primarily recruited from locations along the
Contractors working for HS2 have removed a 4,000 tonne bridge over the M42 to make way for the construction of the new high speed line across the motorway near the Interchange Station construction site in Solihull. A team of 20 demolition experts from Solihull-based firm Armac, working on behalf of
Network Rail engineers will be carrying out an extensive programme of engineering work at Keadby sliding bridge, near Scunthorpe, which will result in changes to train services through the area. Teams will be working for nine days from Saturday 17 to early morning on Monday 26 February to strengthen one
Dubbed ‘Google Maps for heavy industry’ Tended’s advanced Geofencing technology is currently used across the rail industry by leading organisations such as Network Rail, Siemens, Morgan Sindall and Amey to improve safety. Tended successfully closed out the £1.5 million EIS round with Wealth Club with participation from existing investor Blackfinch
Octavius Infrastructure has signed with Norfolk County Council to build the long-awaited £47M Long Stratton Bypass. The Long Stratton Bypass is a proposed 3.9km single-carriageway highway scheme which will allow drivers to reach the A140 without having to pass through the village. The job includes construction of three new roundabouts,
Cordel Group, an artificial intelligence platform, has officially started its data contract with Network Rail to provide advanced data capture services on High Speed One (HS1). The AIM-listed company has successfully installed its equipment on trains, which now operate in daily service, delivering crucial engineering insights to the UK’s rail infrastructure manager. The technology autonomously collects data from the HS1 route for Network Rail, uploading it seamlessly to the cloud. Utilizing routine automated surveys, it measures the height of overhead lines and the stagger of cables supplying power to trains on the track. The contract, awarded in October, marks a significant step in enhancing rail infrastructure management. HS1 operates routes connecting St Pancras International to the Channel Tunnel and facilitates connections to international lines, including Paris, Lille, Brussels, and Amsterdam. Mark Devereux, Head of Electrification and Plant at Network Rail High Speed, expressed satisfaction, stating, “On schedule, and within four months of contract award, Cordel has installed on-train equipment and rolled out automated data capture.” Looking ahead, Devereux anticipates that Cordel’s automated inspection management service and AI processing will enable rapid turnaround times. Cordel aims to provide Data-as-a-Service insights crucial for supporting efficient and safe engineering management of railway infrastructure maintenance and renewals. John Davis, CEO of Cordel, expressed excitement about expanding their world-leading technology to cater to HS1’s specific requirements. Cordel has successfully captured and processed data across more than 500,000 miles of international railway lines, resulting in unparalleled AI learning and data management experience. Recent disruptions on the high-speed route have led to increased scrutiny of Network Rail and operators like Eurostar. Cordel’s innovative approach aims to address these challenges and contribute to the efficient and safe functioning of the HS1 rail network. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Proposals for the development of three new railway stations in the West Midlands are underway, with Castle Bromwich, Coventry East, and Tettenhall identified as prime locations for potential stations. The West Midlands Rail Executive (WMRE) has allocated £1 million to advance the proposals, marking a significant stride in enhancing public transport links across the region. These stations, selected following a feasibility study, aim to address areas with high potential for improved rail access. Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMRE Chair, expressed commitment to delivering the transport infrastructure desired by local communities. “With five new railway stations under construction and a sixth on the way, we’re getting on with delivering the transport infrastructure local people want to see right across our region,” said Mayor Street. He highlighted that Castle Bromwich, Coventry East, and Tettenhall are poised to deliver substantial benefits to their respective communities. The proposed stations, situated on existing lines, target areas currently lacking efficient public transport options and experiencing high levels of deprivation. Castle Bromwich seeks to reinstate a station closed in 1968, while Coventry East and Tettenhall would provide entirely new connections. Collaborative efforts with local communities will determine the names of these stations. Funding for the development originates from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement granted by the Department for Transport. While some proposed stations did not make the immediate shortlist, Mayor Street underscored their potential inclusion as the £1.7 billion Midlands Rail Hub project progresses. He stated, “The £1.7 billion Midland Rail Hub scheme – now fully funded by the Government – may provide an avenue and will certainly be a game-changer enabling us to connect even more towns and communities to the rail network.” The Midlands Rail Hub project, endorsed by the government as part of its Network North plans, aims to significantly boost rail capacity between the East and West Midlands, serving as a pivotal factor in this additional investment. Mayor Street highlighted the transformative impact of new rail infrastructure on an area, offering residents sustainable and convenient access to rapid and reliable public transport. Once completed, these new stations will not only enhance connectivity but also contribute to reducing congestion. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
MoniRail, a leading expert in monitoring rail infrastructure, has secured a significant grant from the UK government’s prestigious SBRI Quantum Catalyst Fund. The Phase 2 award, funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and Innovate UK, will enable MoniRail to spearhead the development of a groundbreaking quantum-based navigation system for railways, eliminating reliance on satellite signals in tunnels and other signal-restricted areas. Understanding train position with high accuracy is crucial for efficient network management, maintenance, and safety. However, traditional GPS-based systems often fail in tunnels and urban environments, leading to inefficiencies and potential safety risks. MoniRail, alongside partners Transport for London (TfL), Imperial College London, University of Sussex, University of Birmingham, PA Consulting, QinetiQ, and Unipart, will develop a revolutionary solution that leverages cutting-edge quantum technologies. “It is fantastic to be able to share the news of our success in the SBRI Quantum Catalyst Fund,” said Peter Ainsworth, CEO at MoniRail. “This funding win will help us produce significant advances in the area of positioning accuracy and enhance our track monitoring solution through the creation of groundbreaking technology.” The proposed system will utilise a train itself as a sensor, continuously monitoring track conditions while simultaneously employing quantum sensors to measure gravity, time, magnetic fields, and acceleration. This combined approach promises to deliver unprecedented levels of positioning accuracy, even in challenging signal-deprived environments. “Working with our partners, we will harness quantum sensors to achieve improved levels of positional accuracy, critical for both civilian and military needs,” explained Dr. Jamie Vovrosh, Quantum Lead at QinetiQ. “Unipart is delighted to be the technology partner for this project, supporting advancements in railway navigation,” said Dr. Colin Smith McGloin, product and innovation director at Unipart. “We are excited to begin our journey in developing a UK supply chain for the manufacture of quantum sensors.” “It is exciting to see what bringing together academia and industry can do for the transport sector and the economy as a whole,” commented Professor Paul Plummer, director of the Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education at the University of Birmingham. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Britain’s most extensive construction project, HS2, is proving to be a catalyst for the growth of small businesses. Recent data reveals that HS2’s civil contractors doubled their spending with SMEs (companies with 250 or fewer employees) in the financial year 2022/23 compared to the previous year. Small and medium-sized businesses, constituting over 70% of HS2’s supply chain, collectively received a substantial £942 million—a significant increase from the £456 million spent in the preceding year. This injection of funds provided a welcome uplift for construction companies nationwide grappling with challenges tied to rising inflation and supply chain disruptions from the pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine. The magnitude and pace of HS2’s construction in that year reached its zenith, with the project hitting peak construction and the workforce reaching a record-breaking 30,000. Robin Lapish, HS2’s Supply Chain Lead, expressed, “From the outset, we set ambitious targets to ensure that UK-based SMEs would benefit from HS2’s extensive construction programme. Our contractors, through their procurement processes, embraced the challenge, resulting in just under a billion pounds flowing into small businesses across the country in a single year of our civil engineering programme.” “2024 promises to be another year of opportunity, with a procurement pipeline worth over £1 billion set to be released by our construction partners, along with the award of our railway systems contracts totalling £5 billion. We want to see more local businesses stepping forward and benefiting.” In the financial year 2022/23, HS2’s seven construction partners (stations and civils) achieved an impressive combined average of 20% total spending with SMEs. Align JV and EKFB JV, responsible for delivering the central sections of the HS2 route, surpassed the average, with respective total spends of 33% and 26%. EKFB JV’s commitment to supplier diversity was acknowledged by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply in 2020 when it received the ‘Best Initiative to Build a Diverse Supply Base’ award. Chris Read, Supply Chain Management Lead at EKFB JV, attributes the team’s early focus on achieving supplier diversity to its continued success. Chris added, “We developed a detailed action plan as soon as we secured our civils contract with HS2 Ltd, setting out a procurement approach that would ensure both SMEs and local businesses benefitted.” “Today, 70% of our supply chain consists of SMEs, and in the last year, 20% of EKFB’s contracts were awarded locally. Making a difference to local communities and British businesses is just one of the legacy benefits of HS2, and we’re proud to be a key contributor.” Haulage specialist Vaughan Plant Haulage LTD, among the many SMEs benefiting from repeat contracts, has experienced substantial growth since joining forces with Align JV on HS2. The Denham-based firm has seen increased exposure and business opportunities, leading to the recruitment of more staff from the local area. John Vaughan, Managing Director at Vaughan Plant Haulage LTD, stated, “Since beginning work on HS2, Vaughan Plant Haulage LTD has benefited from the spotlight HS2 has shone on our business, leading to more exposure in our industry and therefore further work.” “Naturally, the upturn in work has meant we have been able to employ more skilled staff, most of which are local to the project. Working with HS2 has proved to be very beneficial to our business and many other local businesses now presented with new opportunities that were not there before.” All subcontract opportunities with HS2’s stations and civils construction partners are posted on CompeteFor approximately two weeks before the procurement process begins. Interested suppliers can view and download the subcontract procurement pipeline on the HS2 website. Companies of all sizes can express an interest in winning work with HS2 and its contractors by registering their details on CompeteFor. For information and advice about becoming an HS2 supplier, read HS2’s Supplier Guide or email scc@hs2.org.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new study by Juniper Research, the foremost experts in technology markets, forecasts substantial growth of 182% in the number of smart parking spaces within cities; from 5.8 million in 2024. Smart parking utilises a combination of sensors and real-time data to provide road users with information on closest available parking spaces and prices, through either signage, apps or dashboards. This helps reduce congestion and emissions produced by vehicles searching for suitable parking spaces. Find out more: Global Smart Traffic Management Market 2023-2028, or download a free sample. Dynamic Pricing Vital in Reducing City Congestion The report urges city municipalities to seriously consider investing in and implementing smart parking initiatives within highly congested cities. The advantages surrounding dynamic pricing in smart parking can not only be used to strategically increase revenue, but also have the ability to ease ongoing congestion issues. This is achieved by lowering prices in less congested parking areas; making them more attractive to drivers. Research Author Cara Malone commented: “With more data than ever available and the low latency that 5G provides, parking solutions have become highly responsive. In cities where on-street parking is a major issue, dynamic signage can be deployed to utilise available parking more efficiently at quieter times; significantly reducing congestion.” Data Analytics to Optimise Transit Routes Juniper Research recommends smart parking vendors offer data analytics services to municipalities and governments as a priority. This data is critical to analysing parking and occupancy patterns, which can be used to optimise transit routes and development; helping shift citizens to public transport and providing significant value for cities. About the Research Suite The new market research suite offers the most comprehensive assessment of the smart traffic management market to date; providing analysis and forecasts of over 31,900 datapoints across 60 markets over five years. It includes a ‘Competitor Leaderboard’ and examination of current and future market opportunities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is close to reaching the halfway mark of its ambitious aim to take on 590 apprentices across the rail upgrade between Manchester and York, via Leeds and Huddersfield. The number of apprentices on the multi-billion-pound programme has reached 264, primarily recruited from locations along the route and amounting to £14.3 million in value to society, according to the Rail Social Value Tool. Apprentices on TRU identify the cost of living crisis, tuition fee debt, career prospects and enhanced hands-on learning as reasons for choosing apprenticeships. TRU, which recently secured a further £3.9 bn of governmental funding, marks the milestone during National Apprenticeship Week, taking place 5-12 February. TRU is creating tens of thousands of jobs both directly and indirectly, including 8,000 new and safeguarded roles, with 60% of the construction workforce employed from within 25 miles of the route and 80% within 40 miles. TRU is also set to deliver a minimum 50p value to society for every £1 spent on construction, generating £4.28 billion of social value, as outlined in the TRU Sustainability Strategy ‘Our Guiding Compass’ which was published last Summer. Apprentices are working in various disciplines across TRU, including Civil Engineering, Project Management, Quantity Surveying and Ecology. Many TRU apprentices have university degrees built into their apprenticeships, taking one or two days a week off work to study. Ellis Mills, TRU Project Management Apprentice based in Manchester said: “One of the reasons I chose an apprenticeship was to pay my parents a bit of rent. We’re a family of five and it’s quite hard. There are people my age who at 18, 19, 20 want to support their parents while times are tough.” “I have developed my communication and leadership skills and learned the art of dealing with challenging behaviours during my apprenticeship with TRU.” “But the part I have enjoyed the most is the networking; speaking with people from across such a large project every day has allowed me to learn so much.” Bethany Draper, TRU Commercial Apprentice based in Leeds and York said: “I was accepted into two Russell Group universities but If I were to have gone to university, I would have been in a lot of debt.” “Financial independence is a key part of choosing an apprenticeship. With expanded work experience in an office or site environment, you have a better start to your career than other students.” Christopher Walker, TRU Commercial Apprentice based in Manchester said: “Someone I know went to a good university and got a first-class honours degree in architecture, but couldn’t get a job due to a lack of experience. I didn’t want that to happen, I wanted to work in what I’ve chosen to do. That was the main deciding factor in choosing an apprenticeship for me.” “There’s a miscomprehension that you get paid very little to be someone’s printing assistant, getting told what to do. But the truth is that companies like TRU put time and effort into developing you as an apprentice.” Neil Holm, TRU Managing Director said: “Providing opportunities through apprenticeships is at the heart of the TRU story. A railway fit for the North of England is being built by the communities through which TRU travels. “Our nearly 590 apprentices are key to the TRU programme and reaching the halfway point of our ambitious apprenticeship intake underlines our commitment to developing skills and employment prospects for TRU communities.”TRU apprentices of various disciplines are available to interview across broadcast, digital and print media. Please contact alec.herron@networkrail.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Contractors working for HS2 have removed a 4,000 tonne bridge over the M42 to make way for the construction of the new high speed line across the motorway near the Interchange Station construction site in Solihull. A team of 20 demolition experts from Solihull-based firm Armac, working on behalf of HS2’s main works contractor in the Midlands, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), carried out the demolition in a 52 hour operation. The operation was coordinated in conjunction with National Highways, who were able to open the motorway section between Junctions 6 and 7 on Monday at 1.30am, which was three and a half hours earlier than planned, reducing disruption to road users. The M42 was closed in both directions late Friday evening, 9 February, and the workforce worked throughout the night to prepare the area for the demolition activities. Starting at 7am on Saturday 10 February, the demolition team used a 100 tonne excavator and a further seven 50 tonne demolition excavators to complete the operation, supplemented by numerous breaker and cruncher attachments. Six articulated dumper trucks transported the excavated material to a local stockpile where it will be crushed and reused on HS2’s haul roads and work sites. Once the bridge was demolished at around 3pm on Saturday , the debris was removed, the matting taken away, carriageway cleaned, and central reservation and verge restraint systems reinstated, ready for the motorway to be re-opened at 1.30am on Monday 12 February. It is the second of two 4,000 tonne bridges in close proximity over the M42 which needed to be demolished so HS2 can build a new twin box structure, which will carry the high speed line over the motorway in the future. The operation by Armac to demolish the first bridge took place in August last year. The original plan was to demolish the second bridge next year. However, due to two drivers on the motorway below recently striking the bridge, National Highways asked HS2 to demolish the bridge sooner because it had become unsafe. Alan Payne, Senior Project Manager at HS2 Ltd said: “This operation, delivered by local specialist firm Armac, is another step forward in the construction of HS2 in the Midlands. I’d like to thank the whole team for delivering the bridge demolition ahead of schedule, reducing disruption to roads users.” Oliver Shore, Construction Director at Balfour Beatty VINCI said: “The safe and successful demolition of this 4,000-tonne bridge is another huge achievement for Balfour Beatty VINCI. This was a complex operation, made even more challenging because of the limited time we had to plan and deliver this critical work. I’m really proud of how the team responded, showcasing their skill and experience in these demanding circumstances. “It’s the second bridge removal we’ve delivered along the same stretch of motorway in just six months. Like the previous demolition last summer, every effort was made to minimise the impact on road users through careful planning and close collaboration between HS2 and National Highways.” Noel McLean, Technical Director of Armac said: “We were delighted to work with our partners HS2 and BBV again, for the demolition of the M42 North Bridge. Our primary aim is always to complete the project safely and in a controlled operation. Thankfully, the project was completed well ahead of schedule. Another successful project from the Armac ‘Bridge Busters’ and all of the BBV team.” Frank Bird, National Highways Senior Network Planner said: “We are delighted to have been able to reopen the motorway for the benefit of road users some three and a half hours earlier than planned and thank people for their ongoing patience since the bridge was hit last month. “This has been a challenging task as normally a demolition such as this would be planned over many months. Instead, everyone involved was able to mobilise resources to get it down in a matter of weeks. It has been a terrific collaborative effort with HS2 Ltd and all others involved and one I am sure road users will appreciate with all lanes now open.” This year, the BBV team will start to construct the huge twin box structure, which will carry HS2 trains over the M42. Enabling works commence in March and piling is due to commence in August. This new structure, measuring 300 metres length by 25 metres width will cover around 130 metres of the M42 and will be built in position whilst maintaining three lanes of traffic flowing on the M42. This section of HS2 railway lies between Interchange Station in Solihull and the Delta Junction, a triangular section of the line which enables trains to either travel into Birmingham’s Curzon Street Station or carry on north where trains will join the West Coast Main Line to Manchester. HS2 has already built a new, improved road structure and roundabout in this area, to improve the circulation of traffic around the HS2 railway line and connect the existing road network to the new Interchange Station. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Network Rail engineers will be carrying out an extensive programme of engineering work at Keadby sliding bridge, near Scunthorpe, which will result in changes to train services through the area. Teams will be working for nine days from Saturday 17 to early morning on Monday 26 February to strengthen one of the walls of the Stainforth & Keadby canal which needs repair. During the work, new rails and other fresh track equipment will also be installed on the railway bridge. Engineers will be draining part of the canal before knocking down part of its north wall and installing a new, prefabricated concrete slab onto the wall, stabilising it and allowing train services to run over the bridge for years to come. The nine-day programme of work will result in passengers experiencing smoother and more reliable journeys as they travel by train. The original Keadby sliding bridge dates to the late 1800s and is the only bridge of its kind in the UK. The railway it carries is one of the busiest routes for freight services on Britain’s rail network and connects passengers between Doncaster and the Lincolnshire coast. Due to the improvements, there will be changes to passenger services between Doncaster and Scunthorpe. Rail replacement services will operate on all days between Doncaster and Scunthorpe. For TransPennine Express passengers, replacement bus services will operate each day between Doncaster and Scunthorpe non-stop in both directions. Train services will continue to run between Liverpool Lime Street and Doncaster and also Scunthorpe to Cleethorpes. Northern will operate a Monday to Saturday replacement coach service that will call at Kirk Sandall, Hatfield & Stainforth, Thorne South, Crowle, Althorpe, and Scunthorpe. Passengers are encouraged to check their journeys before travelling via National Rail Enquiries or with their train operator. Matt Rice, Route Director for Network Rail’s North & East route, said: “This extensive programme of upgrades to Keadby sliding bridge and the canal wall will be beneficial for our passengers as they experience smoother, more reliable journeys as they travel by train between Doncaster and Scunthorpe. “This is a large-scale piece of work, but we have deliberately planned to carry it out in a longer period so that our engineers can work to deliver all the vital maintenance and upgrades at once, rather than causing multiple periods of disruption. However, we know that this work will be disruptive to passengers, and we are sorry for any inconvenience caused. “We would encourage all passengers to check how their journey may be affected ahead of travelling via National Rail Enquiries or their train operator. I also want to thank passengers for their patience and understanding throughout this period.” Kerry Peters, regional director for Northern, said: “We welcome this investment in the region’s rail infrastructure and the benefits the works will bring to our passengers travelling between South Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. Whilst there will be short term inconvenience, this is about long-term improvements to the network and we ask for customers’ patience and understanding during the period of disruption.” Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Service and Operations Director at TransPennine Express, said: “We want to thank our customers for their patience as Network Rail carries out an extensive programme of upgrades to Keadby sliding bridge which will provide long-term improvements to the network. “We are advising customers to check before they travel at www.tpexpress.co.uk/travel-updates or National Rail Enquiries.” At the same time, engineers will be working to carry out comprehensive repairs to the platform structure along with a like for like renewal of the existing footbridge at Althorpe station. A temporary footbridge will be installed while work is carried out to construct the new station footbridge, maintaining connections for passengers to platform 2. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Dubbed ‘Google Maps for heavy industry’ Tended’s advanced Geofencing technology is currently used across the rail industry by leading organisations such as Network Rail, Siemens, Morgan Sindall and Amey to improve safety. Tended successfully closed out the £1.5 million EIS round with Wealth Club with participation from existing investor Blackfinch Ventures. In the UK, Network Rail is responsible for maintaining more than 20,000 miles of track – but despite a strong focus on trackside safety, accidents do happen causing significant financial cost and even cost lives. Network Rail has committed a specific allocation of its £44 billion, 5-year budget to improve safety, and has identified geofencing as a key technology for meeting the tightening regulations. With Tended’s solution, which uses Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and real time kinematics (RTK) to provide location to within 1cm, managers can set ‘safe’ and ‘unsafe’ locations on an easy-to-use dashboard. Meanwhile, high-precision wearables pinpoint where workers and other physical assets are located, and can alert users if they are unsafe. Tended’s commitment to workplace safety was internationally recognised when its product was featured in Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2023 list. This recognition illustrates the type of impactful technological solutions Blackfinch Ventures and Wealth Club aims to support through its investments. In January, Siemens Mobility announced that it would be rolling out Tended’s technology across the UK following a successful six-month pilot and small-scale deployments in the South West, where the teams were impressed by its suitability for the varied and complex projects*. Following on from its success in the rail sector, Tended is also targeting other heavy industries including Highways and Utilities. Tended is now working in partnership with the European Space Agency on the next generation of its product. Gayle Bowen, Head of Direct company investments at Wealth Club said: “Tended has achieved a great deal since launching its Geofencing product in March 2023. Not only has it secured contracts and pilots with key industry players like Siemens Mobility but it has also secured major R&D funding to complete the next iteration of its technology. We expect the Department for Transport’s anticipated changes to safety standards to be an important catalyst in this market which could further underpin Tended’s growth plans. Tended is a great example of high impact UK innovation as part of a commercially compelling EIS investment.” Leo Scott Smith, CEO of Tended said: I’m delighted to welcome Wealth Club as a shareholder at this really exciting time in our growth trajectory. We’re already starting to see the profound impact we’re having on safety and efficiency in the rail industry through the implementation of our geofencing technology. With Wealth Club on board, I’m excited to increase this impact and together, work towards our mission of putting an end to preventable fatalities in heavy industries. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Octavius Infrastructure has signed with Norfolk County Council to build the long-awaited £47M Long Stratton Bypass. The Long Stratton Bypass is a proposed 3.9km single-carriageway highway scheme which will allow drivers to reach the A140 without having to pass through the village. The job includes construction of three new roundabouts, two new junctions and two overbridges. Plans for the village bypass in Norfolk were first discussed 70 years ago and have had a number of false starts since. In September last year, the long-awaited bypass was finally granted full planning permission by South Norfolk Council. Norfolk County Council secured £26.2M from the Department for Transport (DfT) for the project in summer 2021, but in September 2022 the scheme saw its projected costs rise to £46.2M from the original £37.4M. This 23.5% rise in cost was mainly due to the pandemic and the Ukraine war driving up material and labour prices across the globe. The full business case for the new road has now been submitted to government which estimates the overall cost of delivering the route at £46.9m. Following initial preparation works which will be taking place over the coming months, the target date for the main construction work to start on the bypass is Spring 2024 with the road planned to be open to traffic before the end of 2025 after an 18-month construction period. The project will now be mainly funded with a minimum of 70% from the DfT’s Major Road Network Fund and up to 30% from local contributions made up primarily of developer contributions and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) contributions. The Greater Norwich Growth Board have also agreed arrangements with South Norfolk Council for the forward funding of a £4.5M developer contribution, which is in addition to the £10M CIL supported contribution it has already pledged. Long Stratton residents have campaigned and lobbied government for a bypass for decades as they hope it will cut congestion through the village. As well as the bypass, plans for 1,800 new homes and a new primary school for the area were recently approved by South Norfolk Council. Norfolk County Council cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport Graham Plant said: “This is another welcome milestone we’ve reached in this vital infrastructure project. The 3.9km road will not only solve the transport issues caused by the bottleneck on the A140 – which is a major local route – but also open-up improvements for cycling and walking in and around the town. “Once in place the scheme will cut congestion, unlock economic growth, and improve journey times across the county.” Octavius Infrastructure managing director for highways Gavin Pritchard, said: “We are delighted to be working with Norfolk County Council on such a key project, bringing significant benefits to the Long Stratton community and the wider transport network. “Our carbon reduction measures, the protection and enhancement of the local environment, and the significant sourcing of local suppliers in this region reflects our strong commitment to our sustainability and social value goals for this project.” Norfolk County Council councillor for Long Stratton Alison Thomas said, “This is great news as seeing this project continue to push forward is very welcome – not only for those who live and work in Long Stratton but also for the thousands of people who use the route and experience first-hand the daily delays and frustrations brought by the current situation.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
