Railway reopens between Leeds and York after nine days of TRU upgrades completed in North Yorkshire
Major improvement works delivered by the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) in Church Fenton have taken the programme a significant step closer to delivering faster, more frequent and more reliable rail services for customers travelling across the North. Between Saturday 24 October and Sunday 1 November, engineers worked around the clock to install the new Common Lane railway bridge and complete the fitting of new overhead power lines, allowing faster, greener electric trains on the route in the future. The previous bridge, built in 1901, was reaching the end of its lifespan. By carrying out the replacement works a year earlier than necessary, TRU has maximised their time accessing the operational railway to modernise infrastructure while also working to prepare the railway for the future installation of overhead line equipment. This means further disruption to the local community will be minimised. The team didn’t let Storm Boelo stand in its way, with activities rescheduled in advance, enabling work to be temporarily paused for safety during the height of the high winds and poor weather. Teams worked hard to stay on target and the railway re-opened to trains on time. During the nine-day closure customers were kept on the move through a comprehensive network of replacement bus services to ensure people could get to where they wanted to go. Adam Sellers, TRU senior sponsor, said: “We’ve completed this major work at Church Fenton safely and on time, bringing us a step closer to more frequent, faster, greener trains between York, Huddersfield, Leeds and Manchester. “A big thank you to our teams who worked around the clock and in very challenging weather conditions to deliver this latest milestone.” Carl Harland, TRU Customer Lead for Northern, said: “We would like to thank our colleagues from across the industry for completing these works at Church Fenton and keeping our customers moving over the past nine days. “The upgrades that have been delivered form an integral part of transforming the route between Leeds and York, helping better connect our communities. Thank you to our customers for their patience whilst these major upgrades have taken place.” Following the installation of the new bridge at Church Fenton, work has now started to relocate diverted utility services within the new structure, before the road is restored and re-opened in June 2027. A major programme of improvements was also carried out on the East Coast Main Line in North Yorkshire over the past two weekends, including renewing track and points, upgrading overhead line equipment and drainage, managing vegetation and improving platform infrastructure. The work will help make the railway more reliable and provide smoother journeys for customers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Heat network sector confident but underprepared for HNTAS, new industry research warns
New research among industry stakeholders reveals a GB-wide gap between confidence and capability ahead of the forthcoming Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS) within the wider new regulatory framework. The research, commissioned by Guru Systems, the market-leading provider of heat network hardware, software and analytics, found that 90% of respondents believe their networks will meet the draft HNTAS metering and monitoring requirements without major changes. Yet the findings suggest that this confidence may be overstated. Despite high self-reported confidence, no key draft HNTAS requirement was identified by more than 27% of respondents. Such is the knowledge gap that nearly one in five respondents mistakenly believe HNTAS will be largely voluntary. 12% believe it will only apply to networks receiving public funding. More than 75% did not identify that the draft technical specifications require high-frequency automated data collection. The same number are unaware that they will need to comply with data protection and cybersecurity requirements for metering data. Only a quarter of respondents identified the expected need for a formal metering and monitoring strategy. These gaps indicate a sector that is not yet aligned on what the draft HNTAS rules demand. Operational readiness is similarly limited. Only a quarter of organisations proactively manage their heat networks and just 26% have full instrumentation across their portfolio, despite both being key to compliance as defined in the draft HNTAS documents. Plus, there is equally low awareness of who is responsible for compliance. This lack of readiness suggests many operators may face significant challenges once HNTAS is implemented. Casey Cole, CEO of Guru Systems, comments: “Our research shows a considerable gap between confidence and practical readiness. Without action, this disconnect could create operational, financial and compliance risks for the sector.” The research, from the Guru Systems ‘HNTAS: The Confidence Paradox Report’ also highlights a big difference across the regions. London recorded the highest rate of proactive heat network management, at 45%, five times higher than Wales or Yorkshire and the Humber (9%). Only 9% in Wales recognise the need for high-frequency automated data collection. Just 4% have fully instrumented networks with automated data collection. Scotland had the highest proportion of respondents that believe HNTAS will be voluntary. These disparities risk creating uneven compliance and inconsistent network performance across regions. Casey Cole continues: “Heat networks need to perform well across every region of the country to effectively contribute to energy security and affordability. The Government must communicate the proposed requirements of the new regulations more consistently and heat network operators must engage with the changes, build the necessary capability and put the systems in place to succeed.” Download the full Report now. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Electrical contractors have one month deadline to make changes as Awaab’s Law expands
Electrical contractors working with social landlords in England face tighter demands on repair tracking when Awaab’s Law Phase 2 comes into force on 30 November 2026, extending the rules to significant electrical hazards and other housing safety risks. Under the legislation, landlords must investigate potential significant hazards within 10 working days, provide written findings within three working days where required and complete relevant safety work within five working days of the investigation. Emergency hazards remain subject to a 24-hour deadline for investigation and safety work. For electrical contractors working with social housing providers, this means tighter expectations around response times, allocating qualified engineers and documenting repairs. Businesses will need to track jobs from the initial report through to completion, making sure inspection findings are passed to landlords promptly and any outstanding remedial work is followed up within the required timeframes. Richard Skelson, Managing Director at field service management software company Field Ascend, warns that the new requirements could put added pressure on electrical contractors managing multiple social housing repairs, with tighter timescales leaving less room for delays in engineer allocation, reporting and follow-up work. What electrical contractors should review in November: Agree how urgent jobs are handed over and deadlines tracked “With separate deadlines for investigations, written findings and repairs, contractors need to manage each stage of a job rather than treating it as a single appointment. “For emergency hazards, the 24-hour deadline starts when the landlord becomes aware of the problem, not when the contractor receives the job. Businesses should agree how urgent requests are passed over, record the original report time and flag approaching deadlines so managers can act before work falls behind.” Check engineer qualifications and availability before allocating repairs “When electrical hazards are reported, contractors need to identify an appropriately qualified engineer who can attend within the required timeframe, without overlooking existing commitments. “Keeping engineer qualifications, availability and active jobs visible in one place helps dispatchers make informed decisions. If an appointment cannot go ahead or specialist support is needed, the job should be escalated promptly and the housing provider updated rather than allowing the deadline to approach without action.” Make inspection findings available as soon as the visit is completed “An inspection may be completed within the timeframe, but delays can still arise if the engineer’s findings are sitting on a physical job sheet or waiting to be passed back to the office. “Contractors should have a process for capturing photographs, inspection findings, certificates and outstanding defects as part of the job itself, so the information is available for review as soon as the engineer finishes. This gives housing providers quicker access to the details they need, particularly where written findings must be provided to tenants within three working days.” Separate completed safety work from outstanding follow-up repairs “Making an electrical hazard safe does not always mean the wider repair process is finished, particularly where temporary repairs or further preventative work are required. “Contractors should record outstanding defects, required parts and follow-up appointments with a clear person responsible for completing them. Closing the initial call-out must not remove these actions from view, especially when further work has its own deadline. “Landlords remain legally responsible for meeting Awaab’s Law requirements, but they depend on accurate contractor records and progress updates. Being able to show what was investigated, what was repaired and what remains outstanding is just as important to managing the process as knowing when an engineer attended.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
JLL Strengthens UK Retail Property Market Position with Acquisition of KLM
Global real estate consultancy JLL has strengthened its position in the UK retail property market following the acquisition of London-based specialist advisory firm KLM, expanding its capabilities across retail leasing, property investment and strategic consultancy. The acquisition will see 17 members of KLM’s team join JLL, bringing together specialist retail property expertise and established client relationships to create an enhanced advisory platform serving landlords, investors, developers and occupiers across London and the wider UK. The move reflects JLL’s continued investment in the retail sector at a time when demand for physical retail space remains resilient, despite ongoing economic pressures and changing consumer spending patterns. KLM is an established retail property agency and lease advisory specialist, with a strong presence across London’s commercial property market and regional retail destinations. Its client portfolio includes prominent organisations such as The Crown Estate, the South Kensington Estate and Pret a Manger, demonstrating its experience in advising major property owners and retail occupiers. By integrating KLM’s specialist knowledge with its international real estate platform, JLL aims to strengthen its ability to support clients across retail leasing, investment transactions, asset strategy and wider property advisory services. Renewed Confidence in the UK Retail Property Market The acquisition comes as the UK retail property sector continues to evolve, with landlords, developers and occupiers increasingly focused on securing high-quality commercial space in established shopping destinations. JLL believes consumer spending has remained stronger than anticipated, despite wider economic challenges, supporting continued demand for physical retail accommodation. The consultancy attributes part of this resilience to households reducing their savings rates to maintain spending levels despite relatively weak income growth. Although economic headwinds remain, JLL anticipates that UK consumers could demonstrate continued resilience through the final quarter of 2026 and beyond. This outlook reinforces the importance of physical stores within retailers’ wider commercial strategies, particularly in prime high street locations, shopping centres and established retail destinations. For the commercial property and construction sectors, sustained demand for retail space can support investment in store refurbishments, commercial fit-outs, property repositioning and the redevelopment of existing retail assets. Expanding JLL’s Retail Advisory Expertise Matthew Richards, UK Chief Executive Officer at JLL, highlighted the strategic importance of the acquisition and its contribution to the company’s retail property capabilities. “This acquisition reflects the strategic fit between KLM and JLL and our continued focus on London as a world-leading retail destination and global financial centre,” he said. “Bringing KLM’s specialist expertise together with our platform strengthens our ability to serve global occupiers who demand consistency and deep market knowledge across London and the wider UK.” The addition of KLM will provide JLL with further specialist knowledge of retail leasing markets, landlord and tenant relationships, and commercial property investment opportunities. The acquisition also strengthens JLL’s ability to advise international retailers seeking to establish or expand their physical store networks within the UK. As retailers continue reviewing their property requirements, access to detailed market knowledge and strategic advice is becoming increasingly important in identifying suitable locations and negotiating commercial leasing arrangements. KLM Team Joins Global Real Estate Platform For KLM, joining JLL represents an opportunity to combine its established retail property expertise with the resources and international reach of a global real estate consultancy. James Andrews, Partner at KLM, welcomed the acquisition and highlighted the opportunities it would create for the firm’s clients and employees. “Joining JLL represents an exciting opportunity for our team and clients,” he said. “JLL’s global platform, resources, and commitment to the retail sector will enable us to deliver even greater value to our clients.” Andrews added that the team looked forward to contributing to JLL’s retail platform while maintaining the specialist expertise and client relationships that have supported KLM’s development. The acquisition is expected to create opportunities for closer collaboration between retail agency, investment advisory and other property consultancy disciplines. Supporting Retail Investment and Property Development Paul Marshall, Head of Retail Agency at JLL, said the acquisition demonstrated the company’s commitment to investing in areas where it holds a competitive advantage. “KLM brings specialist retail capability and long-standing client relationships that complement our existing platform with minimal overlap,” he said. “Together, we can compete at scale and deliver a holistic view of the retail sector across the built environment.” Marshall also highlighted the growing demand among clients for consistent advisory services and specialist retail expertise across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. For property owners and developers, the integration of the two businesses will provide access to a broader range of services supporting retail asset management, leasing strategies, investment transactions and commercial property performance. The acquisition also reflects the increasing importance of combining local market expertise with international investment knowledge, particularly as major retail destinations compete to attract occupiers and maintain long-term commercial value. With 17 KLM specialists joining its UK operations, JLL is positioning itself to capture further opportunities within the retail property market, strengthening its ability to advise on everything from individual retail units and high street portfolios to major shopping destinations and mixed-use commercial developments. The transaction represents another significant development within the UK property consultancy sector, underlining continued confidence in the long-term importance of physical retail environments and the specialist expertise required to manage, invest in and develop them. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
£148m Royal Armouries Transformation in Leeds Moves Closer to Main Contractor Appointment
A major £148 million redevelopment of the Royal Armouries waterfront estate in Leeds has taken another significant step forward, with architecture and design practice BDP appointed to progress the ambitious scheme through its detailed design stage. The project is expected to generate substantial opportunities for the construction industry as plans advance towards a main contractor procurement process, paving the way for one of the city’s most significant cultural and conference developments. The waterfront regeneration programme includes approximately £114 million for the redevelopment of the existing Tiltyard, alongside a further £34 million investment in a new adjacent hotel. At the centre of the proposals is a new 38,000 sq ft exhibition and events hall, forming part of a much larger development that will deliver more than 86,000 sq ft of conference and events accommodation. Transforming Leeds’ Cultural and Conference Facilities The redevelopment will see the existing Tiltyard transformed into a modern, multi-level cultural, conference and events destination, capable of accommodating approximately 1,800 delegates. The new facilities will include flexible meeting and exhibition areas, hospitality accommodation and immersive visitor experiences, significantly expanding the Royal Armouries’ ability to host major conferences, exhibitions and cultural events. The adjacent hotel development will further strengthen the site’s hospitality offering, supporting visiting delegates, tourists and event organisers while contributing to the wider regeneration of Leeds Dock. Beyond the buildings themselves, the project will introduce new riverside public spaces, landscaping and improved pedestrian connections, creating a more accessible and attractive waterfront environment. These improvements are intended to strengthen the relationship between the Royal Armouries estate, Leeds Dock and the surrounding urban neighbourhoods. Complex Construction Programme Ahead A planning application is expected to be submitted in 2027, with the project moving towards the selection of a main contractor as the design progresses. One of the key construction challenges will be delivering the redevelopment while maintaining operations across the existing estate. The main Royal Armouries Museum, conference facilities and New Dock Hall are expected to remain open throughout the construction programme. This will require careful consideration of site logistics, construction sequencing, visitor access and operational safety, particularly given the waterfront location and the continued use of surrounding facilities. For the eventual main contractor and specialist supply chain, the project will present opportunities across structural engineering, mechanical and electrical services, hospitality construction, specialist fit-out, landscaping and public realm improvements. Part of a Wider £188m Investment Programme The £148 million waterfront scheme forms a central part of a wider £188 million investment programme planned for the Royal Armouries’ Leeds estate. The investment represents a substantial commitment to the city’s cultural, leisure and business tourism infrastructure, combining new commercial facilities with improvements to the surrounding built environment. For Leeds, the redevelopment has the potential to further strengthen its position as a major destination for conferences, exhibitions and cultural events, while supporting investment and regeneration around the waterfront. With BDP now progressing the detailed design, attention will turn towards the planning process and the forthcoming main contractor competition. The transformation of the Royal Armouries Tiltyard and its surrounding estate promises to deliver a major new cultural and events destination, creating a significant construction opportunity while contributing to the long-term regeneration of Leeds Dock. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Croydon’s Whitgift Centre Set for Major Residential Transformation with Plans for 4,000 New Homes
One of South London’s most ambitious residential regeneration projects is taking shape, with developer Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) revealing fresh proposals to transform Croydon’s Whitgift Centre and surrounding town centre into a new mixed-use neighbourhood delivering up to 4,000 homes. The emerging masterplan, known as The Croydon Project, represents a major shift away from the site’s traditional retail focus, placing residential development, green spaces and community facilities at the heart of the regeneration. The latest proposals were presented to Croydon Council’s Planning Committee and Design Review Panel on 24 September as part of ongoing pre-application discussions. Up to 4,000 Homes Planned for Croydon Town Centre The residential-led redevelopment could deliver between 3,000 and 4,000 new homes, alongside a smaller but higher-quality commercial offering, new public spaces and improved pedestrian connections. The proposed housing development would incorporate buildings of varying heights, including four residential towers ranging from 30 to 45 storeys along Wellesley Road. Building heights would gradually reduce towards the historic North End corridor, helping to manage the development’s relationship with neighbouring conservation areas and established town centre architecture. The proposals aim to replace the existing shopping centre environment with a network of streets, squares and residential buildings, creating a more traditional urban neighbourhood where people can live, work, shop and socialise. URW Programme Director Paul Eaton explained to councillors that the transformation would create an environment significantly different from the existing Whitgift Centre, with interconnected public spaces designed to encourage movement throughout the development. New Public Square and Green Spaces A central feature of the regeneration proposals is The Forum, a new public square designed to accommodate community gatherings, cultural activities and events for up to 2,000 people. The masterplan also includes a proposed landscaped green space, provisionally named Whitgift Park, providing residents and visitors with an accessible area for recreation and relaxation. Together, these new public spaces would form an important part of the development’s residential environment, supporting the creation of a neighbourhood rather than simply replacing the existing retail accommodation. Improved pedestrian routes and connections between the new buildings and surrounding streets are also being explored as part of the emerging design. For the construction and architectural sectors, the scale of the proposed development would create substantial opportunities across high-rise residential construction, structural engineering, building services, landscaping and public realm improvements. £31.5m Property Acquisition Unlocks Regeneration Plans The latest proposals follow URW’s £31.5 million acquisition of the Whitgift Centre, Green Park House and parts of the former Allders building from the John Whitgift Foundation in July. The transaction represented an important milestone in progressing the regeneration, bringing key property interests together and removing a significant obstacle to advancing the redevelopment plans. URW has indicated that a residential-led approach is necessary to establish the financial viability of the project, with the proposed housing provision expected to underpin the wider transformation of the town centre. However, several important aspects of the scheme remain under consideration. These include the proportion of affordable housing, the provision of family-sized homes, potential leisure facilities and the overall balance between residential and commercial accommodation. The impact of demolition on local heritage assets, pedestrian connectivity and the programme for delivering individual phases will also require further assessment. Outline Planning Application Targeted for 2027 URW is continuing its engagement with Croydon Council through the pre-application planning process, with a formal outline planning application currently targeted for 2027. The emerging proposals have not yet secured planning permission, and further details of the residential accommodation, building designs and delivery programme are expected as the scheme progresses. If brought forward, The Croydon Project would represent a significant transformation of one of South London’s best-known shopping destinations, replacing much of the existing retail-led environment with a substantial new residential neighbourhood. With up to 4,000 homes, new public spaces, commercial accommodation and landmark residential towers, the proposals could reshape Croydon’s town centre and establish a major long-term pipeline of housing development and construction activity. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals