HS2 installs final viaduct over M6
Engineering works to enable high speed trains to cross the M6 came to a successful close this weekend, as the second HS2 viaduct was installed near Chelmsley Wood. The final section of the 4750-tonne structure was launched above the north and southbound carriageway (junction 4/4a) using giant hydraulic jacks while vehicles travelled below – minimising disruption for motorists. The milestone means that both M6 South viaducts are now structurally complete. The east deck, which will carry high-speed trains towards HS2’s two London stations – Old Oak Common and Euston, was completed in 2025. The west deck, which was successfully moved into place on Saturday, 24th October, will carry trains towards Curzon Street Station in Birmingham city centre and destinations in the north, including Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow. The parallel structures, which stand just 100 millimetres apart, were constructed using weathering steel and are supported by a series of concrete piers. Raised embankments will then be formed either side of the viaducts. Both viaducts are 320 metres long, but they were assembled and launched slightly differently due to the constraints of the site. The west deck was launched in four incremental stages, and the east deck in three. For each launch, additional steel sections are added to the rear of the structure and the whole deck is propelled forward using strand jacks. By the final launch, the weight of the steel deck is fully supported on concrete piers at either side of the carriageway, which means the ‘last push’ can be safely executed while maintaining traffic flows. Ian Clarke, Senior Project Manager at HS2 Ltd said: “These viaducts straddle some of the busiest sections of motorway in the country, which is why we adopt innovative techniques that allow construction to continue without closing the carriageway whenever we can. “We have made great progress this year and I thank motorists and local communities for their patience.” It took engineers working for HS2’s construction partner, Balfour Beatty VINCI, just nine hours to complete the final launch of the viaduct’s west deck. In that time, the steel deck moved forward 76-metres, at an average speed of twelve metres per hour. While the M6 stayed opened to traffic throughout the weekend, the M42 M6 link road was closed to provide a safety exclusion zone. It reopened 25 hours ahead of schedule at 9pm on Saturday, 24th October. Russell Luckhurst, the Balfour Beatty VINCI engineer leading the delivery of this work, said: “Two neighbouring viaducts that run parallel to each other now span the busy M6 motorway near Chelmsley Wood, after the west deck was safely and successfully moved into its final position over the weekend. “It’s a huge moment for Balfour Beatty VINCI and HS2, concluding a major programme of work above the M6 – in extremely challenging weather conditions.” As strong winds affected large parts of the UK at the weekend, the Water Orton viaduct parapet installation works – above the M42 – were postponed for safety reasons. This programme of work has now been rescheduled to the following weekend. As a result, J6 to 9 northbound and J9 to 7 southbound will be closed from 9pm on Friday, 30th October to 5am on Monday, 2 November 2026. Looking ahead to 2027, HS2’s motorway construction programme will centre around the triple box – a rail‑over‑road structure that will carry four HS2 railway tracks over the M42 near Coleshill. HS2 is working closely with National Highways to agree the schedule of works. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
CW Plant Hire swaps generators for battery power to meet customer demand for silent, fuel-free event power
Charles Wilson (CW) Plant is making the switch to cleaner, portable power and invested in over 40 Instagrid battery power units to support customers in combating rising fuel prices and help meet increasingly stringent sustainability targets. With an estimated 70% of event and festival organisers looking to cut fuel consumption, CW Plant Hire has worked alongside long-standing supplier Seddon’s Plant and Engineer to future proof their portable power offering. Paula Godfrey, Systems and Sales Development Trainer, at CW Plant Hire said: “We initially trialled Instagrid’s 230v and 110v portable power supplies on the recommendation of our trusted partners at Seddon, and the feedback was excellent. Combined with our desire to invest in products that are both sustainable and future-proof, the decision to invest was an easy one. “Instagrid products make tools and equipment portable, are operationally quieter and more sustainable. These benefits are reflected in the exceptional uptake we have already seen from our events customers, with some taking up to 10 Instagrid units to manage large power needs through the build and breakdown stages of event settings.” Depending on size and output, small diesel generator typically costs more up front than an Instagrid unit – but the savings quickly stack up. When comparing Instagrid and traditional generators over a 4-year period, Instagrid is proven time and time again to save up to 85% when compared with comparable sized combustion generators. The savings come from minimal maintenance – and low re-charging costs, with data from Instagrid demonstrating a typical recharge of their 2.1 kWh portable power units costing on average 50p (based on current UK energy prices) from a mains power supply, providing long term efficiency and value. At current fuel prices and based on average use – the total cost of ownership savings is typically seen within the first year. The portability of battery powered generators is an additional benefit to the events sector, removing the need for cable runs and mitigating delays on tight build and breakdown schedules while also supporting a quieter working environment and being suitable for indoor use. Matt Silvester, Instagrid Sales Director for UK & Ireland said: “Once you remove the need for wet fuel, refuelling trips, two-person generator moves, cable runs, extraction fans, plant nappies and spill kits the ROI on battery power is evident. However, it is the versatility of Instagrid units that are the market differentiator when it comes to power. “A recent example is a customer that needed silent power for floor screeding with no mains supply and generators were ruled out. Instagrid powered both the lighting and equipment through the night with no delay, noise or emissions. “We are pleased to be supporting both Seddon’s and CW Plant Hire in the adoption of battery power and are thrilled to see the increased uptake of events customers, who can already see the benefits and versatility Instagrid units bring to site.” Seddon and Instagrid have provided training to the team at CW Plant Hire to support them in taking Instagrid units to customer sites for live demonstrations, including guidance on maintenance, visual inspections, recharging and IoT tracking, which can locate the unit within three metres, even when switched off or out of charge. Instagrid’s ONE and GO units won Product of the Year at the 2026 European Rental Awards, and more than 60,000 Instagrid units have been sold globally. Both the Instagrid GO and the Carbon8 T3 are available from hire providers across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
UTB Provides £35.5m Bridge-to-Investment Facility for £51.1m GDV South-West London BTR Development
United Trust Bank (UTB) has completed a £35.5m bridge-to-investment facility secured against a new £51.1m GDV mixed-use build-to-rent (BTR) development in South-West London. The five-year facility, provided by UTB’s Structured Property Finance team, enabled the experienced developers, Dominus New Homes, to refinance their existing development loan and release equity from the scheme as it approached practical completion. The development, known as Wandle Place, comprises 96 BTR apartments and approximately 9,000 sq.ft. of commercial space in the popular and well-connected London suburb of Earlsfield. The scheme has already attracted strong rental demand, with tenancies agreed on nearly half of the apartments within seven weeks of marketing. Dominus New Homes has considerable experience in the BTR sector and has successfully delivered more than 2,000 homes. The opportunity was introduced to UTB’s Martin Cameron by Stan Lersch, founder of Property Finance Services acting for Dominus New Homes. Deal highlights Loan size – £35.5m Development GDV – £51.1m LTV – 70% Term – 5 years with stepped down rate once agreed ICR achieved UTB structured the £35.5m facility at 70% loan-to-value (LTV), providing the borrowers with funding certainty through the initial letting period and into the investment phase. The bespoke facility includes a reduction in the lending margin once rental income has stabilised and an agreed interest cover ratio (ICR) has been achieved. This is expected within three to six months of practical completion and allows the borrowers to benefit from more competitive funding costs as the development becomes established. The transaction demonstrates UTB’s appetite for substantial lending opportunities across the living sector and its ability to structure facilities which support developers through the transition from construction to income-producing investment assets. Chris Mason, Director of Dominus New Homes, commented: “Our business model has always been to build for sale, but current poor demand to buy new flats in London required a rental approach this time, together with an investment loan to repay our development finance on time. After all the hard work involved in bringing a development of this scale to completion, it’s particularly rewarding to see such a quick and positive response from prospective tenants. “With UTB’s funding in place, we can concentrate on getting the remaining apartments let, welcoming our first residents and making this a development people will be delighted to call home.” Stan Lersch, Founder of Property Finance Services, said: “Dominus New Homes have an outstanding track record in residential development and have delivered another high-quality scheme. With the development nearing completion, the priority was to secure a funding solution which would refinance the existing facility, release some equity and provide long-term certainty without the need for another refinancing exercise in a few months’ time. “UTB understood exactly what we were trying to achieve and came back with a well-structured proposal which worked for the clients both immediately and over the longer term.” Martin Cameron, Business Development Director – Structured Property Finance, United Trust Bank, said: “Build-to-rent is an increasingly important part of the UK residential property market, and developers need funding partners who understand that completing a scheme is only one stage of the investment journey. “At £35.5m, this is a substantial commitment to a new UTB customer, and a good example of how our Structured Property Finance team can provide flexible, commercially attractive funding for larger and more complex property transactions.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kiwa enhances lighting asset testing service to give asset managers greater compliance certainty
New service enhancements help local authorities and infrastructure asset managers reduce risk, improve efficiency, and make more confident, data-driven decisions about street lighting infrastructure. Kiwa CMT has further enhanced its specialist testing and inspection service for illuminated assets, helping local authorities, highways and infrastructure managers, contractors, developers, asset owners, operators and consultants, maintain safe, compliant, and efficiently managed lighting infrastructure. With millions of lighting assets across the UK, effective testing and inspection is essential to public safety, regulatory compliance, and responsible asset management. Kiwa CMT’s holistic service brings structural testing, electrical inspection and testing, and asset data collection together to provide a clearer picture of asset details and condition and support informed maintenance and investment decisions. The service includes non-destructive structural assessment of lighting columns, including the detection of below-ground corrosion and assessment of hot-swaged joints. Electrical testing supports legally required periodic inspection and testing in accordance with BS 7671 and relevant health and safety requirements. Data collection can also include inventory validation, GPS positioning, and condition surveys for highway infrastructure. Enhanced RLS™ system strengthens testing certainty. Kiwa CMT’s proprietary RLS™ system has also been enhanced, further strengthening its non-destructive approach to assessing lighting column condition. The technology provides a cost-effective assessment of below-ground corrosion and estimates the percentage loss of section within the censored zone on the root section of the column. This enables assets to be classified on a scale, supporting decisions on whether a column requires replacement or can remain in service subject to periodic re-testing. The dry-coupled testing system can assess columns efficiently without the need for intrusive investigation. This helps asset managers obtain meaningful condition information while minimising disruption to the infrastructure and surrounding environment. The new RLS instruments have been manufactured using updated technology that automatically captures test results and can transfer data remotely. The new instruments are handheld which can be used with minimum disruption to the public and without opening the column door. The instruments meet our UKAS accreditation requirements for the ‘Relative Loss of Section’ (RLS) structural testing of lighting columns. Results can also be uploaded electronically into a client’s asset inventory, helping eliminate manual data handling and making inspection information more readily available for ongoing asset management. Better data. More confident decisions. For infrastructure managers, testing is about more than identifying individual defects. Reliable, consistent condition data is critical to understanding asset risk, prioritising interventions and planning future maintenance and replacement programmes. Kiwa CMT’s enhanced service is designed to turn inspection results into actionable asset intelligence. By combining structural and electrical testing with accurate asset data, clients can develop a more complete understanding of their lighting infrastructure and make decisions based on evidence rather than assumptions. With electrical inspection of lighting assets required at prescribed intervals and structural testing typically undertaken every two to five years depending on asset condition and risk, a planned testing programme can help asset owners identify emerging issues before they become more costly or disruptive problems. The Kiwa CMT approach supports risk-based asset management and aligns with relevant industry guidance, including the Institution of Lighting Professionals’ Guidance Note 22/19 (GN22), as well as BS 7671 requirements for electrical safety. Kiwa CMT’s UKAS-accredited services provide additional assurance for organisations responsible for the safety, compliance, and performance of lighting infrastructure. Stephen Spensley at Kiwa CMT, says: “Our enhanced testing and inspection service gives asset owners the information they need to make confident decisions about their lighting infrastructure. “By combining robust testing technology with high-quality asset data, we can help clients identify risk, prioritise maintenance and replacement, demonstrate compliance and improve operational efficiency. “The latest enhancements to our RLS™ system further strengthen the certainty and value we can provide. For organisations responsible for large and often ageing lighting inventories, having reliable condition information is critical to managing risk and making the best use of available resources.” For more information about Kiwa CMT’s testing and inspection services for illuminated assets, visit https://www.kiwa.com/gb/en-gb/services/testing/testing-and-inspection-of-illuminated-assets/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Oxford analysis links circular approaches to business benefits in 74% of real-world lighting projects studied
Signify, the world leader in lighting, today published an analysis of real-world lighting projects ahead of COP31 in Antalya. The analysis was conducted by the University of Oxford’s Circular Economy and Sustainability Lab and Academics for Circular Economy e.V., with support from Signify. Researchers analyzed 50 real-world lighting projects that applied circular approaches, and 37 projects reported capital, maintenance, or financing benefits. The findings show that the next phase of the energy transition must go beyond energy savings to preserve resources, infrastructure, and economic value. Rethinking full replacement Hospitals cannot simply close a ward to upgrade lighting, and airports must keep operations running during modernization. In tunnels, replacing every component can mean costly work that extends far beyond the lights themselves. Yet full replacement is often the default when technology changes. The analysis suggests an alternative: assess what is already in place, upgrade what needs improvement, and retain what still works. Key findings The projects spanned 10 sectors, including hospitals, schools, airports, offices, ports, tunnels, and municipal infrastructure. Across the 50 projects, circular approaches were associated with: Energy savings were also reported in 36 projects, with a median reduction of 59.5%. “Innovation should not automatically mean replacement,” said Mario Giordano, Global Head of Public & Government Affairs at Signify. “The real measure of circularity is our ability to deliver better outcomes with fewer new resources. When poles, cables, housings, and other infrastructure are still fit for purpose, the most sustainable upgrade is often to build on what is already there.” The hidden costs of full replacement Lighting upgrades involve more than a new light source. Installations can include housings, drivers, optics, wiring, controls, and mounting systems, plus poles, cabinets, and other outdoor infrastructure. Replacing an entire installation can mean discarding working components and adding construction, installation, and disposal work. This illustrates the business implications across sectors. Dublin Port Tunnel upgraded approximately 1,800 light points within its existing infrastructure; Signify estimates that the approach resulted in €3 million in capital savings compared with installing a completely new LED system. Assessing whole-life value Circularity does not mean retaining equipment indefinitely. It means choosing the most effective solution based on performance, cost and whole-life value, whether through repair, retrofit, refurbishment, reuse or replacement. “This is not an argument against replacement,” said Priya Saikumar, doctoral researcher at the University of Oxford. “It is an argument against making replacement the starting point. The smarter question is: What do we need to improve, and what can we retain?” Overcoming systemic barriers The analysis finds that barriers to circular approaches are often systemic rather than technical. Product design; limited access to spare parts and repair information; and gaps in financing, ownership arrangements, data, and expertise can prevent viable solutions from scaling. Procurement focused on upfront costs, along with limited reuse channels and reverse logistics, can create further obstacles. To address these barriers, the report calls for greater collaboration between industry and policymakers and for procurement approaches that recognize whole-life value, upgradeability, and the value of retained infrastructure. “That’s why Signify created Signify Circle: a program that puts the white paper’s circularity principles into practice. It combines circular design, spare parts, upgrade kits, lifetime optimization, and Light-as-a-Service to keep lighting products and components in use longer and preserve their value,” said Mario Giordano, Global Head of Public & Government Affairs at Signify. “By bringing these elements together, Signify offers end users and specifiers a clearer framework for choosing solutions based not only on product characteristics but also on how they are designed, maintained, upgraded, and used throughout their life cycle.” Building on energy efficiency with resource efficiency The shift to LED lighting has demonstrated the benefits of energy efficiency. The next opportunity is to use resources more efficiently: extend asset lifetimes, reduce demand for virgin materials, and preserve the value of existing infrastructure. As electrification accelerates worldwide, lighting offers a clear lesson for modernization: achieving better performance does not always require replacing an entire system. Read the white paper here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Crown Estate Launches £322m Contractor Race for Landmark St James’s Market Redevelopment
The Crown Estate has launched the search for a main contractor to deliver the £322 million second phase of St James’s Market in London’s West End, advancing plans for a major office-led redevelopment that will combine contemporary commercial space with the restoration and integration of historic buildings. The ambitious scheme will transform a prominent urban block in the heart of the capital, delivering approximately 312,500 sq ft of new office accommodation alongside retail, restaurants and improvements to the surrounding public realm. Contractors will compete for a £222 million main construction package, with a further £100 million potentially available through an optional redevelopment of the neighbouring 130 Jermyn Street property. Up to four contractors are expected to be shortlisted for the complex project, which has been designed by Make Architects and will form the next major chapter in The Crown Estate’s regeneration of the St James’s Market district. The first phase of St James’s Market was delivered by Balfour Beatty and completed in 2017, establishing a new commercial destination within one of London’s most prestigious office, retail and leisure locations. The second phase will bring together six existing buildings to form a single urban block, bounded by Haymarket, Charles II Street, St Alban’s Street and Norris Street. At the centre of the redevelopment is the Grade II-listed Carlton Cinema on Haymarket, which will be retained and incorporated into the new development. The architectural proposals will see modern office accommodation constructed around and above the historic cinema, requiring a sophisticated structural engineering solution to accommodate the new building while preserving the heritage asset beneath. A key feature of the construction strategy will be the installation of storey-deep steel trusses spanning almost 30 metres over the retained cinema structure. This substantial engineering intervention will enable the creation of new commercial floorspace above the existing building, while addressing the structural challenges associated with developing within a tightly constrained historic urban environment. The scheme will also retain and adapt the existing Charles II Street façade, incorporating it into the redevelopment while accommodating modern office floor heights. The proposed eight-storey building will provide flexible commercial accommodation, with offices occupying the upper levels and retail and restaurant uses contributing to the activity and character of the surrounding streets. Two basement levels will accommodate essential building infrastructure, including mechanical and electrical plant, cycle parking and supporting facilities. The development’s central London location presents a number of technical and logistical challenges for the successful contractor. In addition to working around retained historic structures and neighbouring buildings, construction teams will need to carefully manage interfaces with existing London Underground infrastructure, Thames Water assets and the safeguarded route of the proposed Crossrail 2 railway. These constraints will require detailed construction sequencing, temporary works planning and coordination with infrastructure stakeholders throughout the programme. The main contract will also include the shell and core refurbishment of the Carlton Cinema, the installation of new electrical substations and improvements to the surrounding public realm. The successful contractor will additionally assume responsibility for a separate demolition package through a novation arrangement, bringing the enabling works and principal construction programme under a coordinated delivery structure. Sustainability and building performance are central to the redevelopment, with The Crown Estate targeting some of the highest environmental certification standards for the completed development. The office accommodation is being designed to achieve BREEAM Outstanding, while the retail elements will target BREEAM Excellent. The development will also pursue WELL Gold certification, reflecting an emphasis on occupant health, wellbeing and the quality of the internal working environment. Air source heat pumps will form part of the building’s energy strategy, supporting the delivery of efficient heating and cooling systems within the new commercial accommodation. The project brings together an experienced multidisciplinary design and consultancy team. Gardiner & Theobald has been appointed as project manager and cost consultant, while AKT II is providing structural engineering expertise for the technically demanding redevelopment. Watkins Payne is responsible for building services engineering and sustainability, with BIM Technologies acting as project information manager. Hyland Edgar Driver has been appointed landscape architect, supporting the integration of public realm improvements into the wider scheme. The redevelopment represents a significant investment in the future of London’s West End office market, where demand for high-quality, sustainable commercial buildings continues to influence the refurbishment and repositioning of existing property assets. By combining new office accommodation with heritage preservation, active ground-floor uses and improved environmental performance, the St James’s Market project aims to create a modern commercial destination while maintaining the architectural character of its historic surroundings. The approach also demonstrates the increasing complexity of major office developments in central London, where the integration of existing structures, constrained construction sites and demanding sustainability standards requires close collaboration between architects, engineers and specialist contractors. Construction is scheduled to commence in June 2027, with the programme expected to continue until January 2031. Once completed, the second phase of St James’s Market will represent another major addition to The Crown Estate’s West End portfolio, delivering substantial new commercial floorspace while demonstrating how historic London buildings can be incorporated into the next generation of sustainable office developments. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals