Celsa Group, one of the largest steel producers in Europe, is the first manufacturer to attain certification for UK production facilities under the British Board of Agrément’s new UKAS-accredited Reinforcing Steel Scheme. The BBA revealed details of the scheme – designed to offer a straightforward and robust route to demonstrating
Vonder, the global living and lifestyle brand, has opened its first UK location outside London, with the launch of Vonder Riverside in Leeds. The new site increases Vonder’s total number of operational and contracted units in the UK to over 2,500, with several thousands more globally. The brand’s regional debut
Caddick Construction’s growing apprentice programme across the North West is going from strength to strength with the appointment of a further seven new faces over recent months. The young recruits come from a variety of educational backgrounds as Caddick continues its commitment to bring through new talent to meet demand
In November 2020, the Government published its 10-point plan for a Green Industrial Revolution. It set out a path to Net Zero by 2050. CO2nstructZero is the construction sector’s response. It sets out how the industry can collectively meet Net Zero and uses the Climate Change Committee’s 6th Carbon budget to establish the priorities
Mobile Mini UK, one of the leading worldwide providers of portable accommodation and secure storage containers, has furthered its reputation for excellence after being named the GOLD winner of the Customer Experience category at the 2022 UK Business and Innovation Awards (UK B&IA). These prestigious awards celebrate achievements across a
United Living Group is delighted to announce that Caroline Lewis has been appointed as Managing Director for New Homes. Caroline has been working for United Living as Development Director, having joined the business in 2018, bringing with her 17 years of industry experience from both the public and private sectors.
Glass Futures, Network Space Developments, St Helens Borough Council, Liverpool City Region, MPs Marie Rimmer and Connor McGinn and contractor Bower & Kirkland welcomed UKRI and BEIS to the site to mark the ground-breaking of the Glass Futures Centre of Excellence. The 165,000 sq ft transformational global glass research and
NATIONAL construction company Clegg Food Projects has begun work to convert the former Phillips Avent facility in Glemsford, Suffolk, into a world-class cocoa & chocolate production factory after being appointed as the Principal Contractor. International Malaysian-owned cocoa manufacturer Guan Chong Berhad (GCB) appointed Clegg Food Projects to part-demolish and construct a new
The latest research by the new-build sales optimisation platform, Unlatch, has highlighted which towns and cities in England and Wales saw the highest value of new homes sold in 2021 as almost £6bn worth of new-build property was purchased. Unlatch analysed property transaction records from the Land Registry looking specifically
Work on the UK’s longest railway bridge ramped up this week as HS2 began production of 1,000 enormous concrete segments that will form the deck of the Colne Valley Viaduct. Stretching for 2.1 miles (3.4km) across a series of lakes and waterways just outside London, the viaduct will carry high-speed
Celsa Group, one of the largest steel producers in Europe, is the first manufacturer to attain certification for UK production facilities under the British Board of Agrément’s new UKAS-accredited Reinforcing Steel Scheme. The BBA revealed details of the scheme – designed to offer a straightforward and robust route to demonstrating industry compliance – in December following months of collaboration with the rebar sector and wider supply chain. The Celsa Group was one of the first producers to engage with the new initiative, going on to achieve BBA Reinforcing Steel Scheme certification for Celsa Manufacturing UK’s production facilities in Cardiff. BBA Technical Director Professor Bill Hewlettsaid: “We view the scheme as a natural progression to our renowned certification services and are excited to announce Celsa as the first recipient of this new robust and technically rigorous certification. “When we announced the scheme we were already in talks with rebar manufacturers wanting certification services so really hit the ground running, being open for business from day one. Our decades of certification experience and impartiality no doubt helped in ensuring a smooth transition for Celsa and the other clients currently going through the process.” Chris Hagg, Head of Sustainability and Strategy for CELSA Steel UK said: “We are delighted to be the first company to achieve this new UKAS-approved accreditation. The BBA has been at the forefront of certification of a broad range of construction products for well over 50 years and the addition of reinforcing steel to its portfolio is very welcome. In a post-Grenfell world of doubts being cast on the validity and authenticity of product testing, this scheme offers additional independent, third-party verified, trusted approval and brings extra value, confidence and reassurance to our customers.” The Celsa Group produces more than seven million tonnes of steel each year, with Celsa Steel UK being the largest producer of reinforcement in the UK and one of the biggest manufacturers of other steel long products, shipping around one million tonnes of finished product from its Cardiff factory annually. The Reinforcing Steel Scheme covers production at steel mills, cold rolling and processing plants, assessing manufacturing, process control and management systems to industry defined standards backed by continual benchmarking through material testing. The BBA samples products and witnesses in-house testing to determine compliance. Samples are also submitted to third party UKAS-accredited labs for confirmation on material compliance. Professor Hewlett added: “The scheme is very much client-focussed and assures the supply chain of a high quality, consistent product verified by a third party auditing process. It is straightforward yet robust, providing assurance that reinforcing steel products manufactured within its scope meet the relevant standards. It is a natural progression for us to apply our experience to the rebar market to assist in upholding industry best practice and a professional supply chain whilst working with product manufacturers to support their innovation.”
Vonder, the global living and lifestyle brand, has opened its first UK location outside London, with the launch of Vonder Riverside in Leeds. The new site increases Vonder’s total number of operational and contracted units in the UK to over 2,500, with several thousands more globally. The brand’s regional debut also heralds the launch of a new three-tier membership programme designed to give members access to a scaled range of benefits. Vonder Riverside boasts 95 new-build and modern one-to three-bedroom flats, including 14 duplex apartments, each providing the essential furniture needed to feel at home. The complex, which is located in Victoria Riverside, also includes amenities such as car parking and courtyards, with the aim to suit the needs of the large community of young professionals and renters in the city. The announcement follows the news that Leeds was rated the UK’s most vibrant city according to a study by CGA.[1] Vonder Riverside represents the first tier of Vonder’s new membership programme – termed ‘Essentials’. Each apartment in the complex includes high quality furniture such as beds, sofas, dining areas and wardrobes. More features which are offered in the ‘Essentials’ package are digital support via the Vonder App, as well as access to Vonder’s exclusive global community platform and a variety of added-value services and perks. In this tier, bills and utilities are not included in the monthly rental payment. The other two types of memberships available are Vonder Plus and Vonder All-in-One. Vonder Plus locations, such as Vonder’s Dome properties in London, offer all-inclusive bills with utilities and WiFi, alongside beautifully designed fully furnished apartments. Vonder All-in-One, the brand’s signature premium tier which is available in the newly launched Vonder Wembley, is a unique offer coined to cater for the growing demand from renters who want to live, work and socialise in the same location. ‘All-in-one living’ comprises everything from the apartment design and furnishings, on-site amenities, value-added services, inclusive bills and utilities, to a dedicated community team which is available to provide a hassle-free living experience. While each Vonder location sits in a specific tier, Vonder encourages flexibility for its members, with the option to upgrade to different levels and enjoy premium features – no matter your location. Tomer Bercoviz, CEO and Co-Founder of Vonder, commented: “Expanding across the UK is a central part of our UK growth strategy, and Leeds is the city of which we chosen to begin with, due to the significant demand from young renters. As a Vonder Essentials location, Vonder Riverside will provide our target audience with great urban accommodation suited to their needs and budget, enabling them to enjoy life in Leeds whilst managing their costs, without having to compromise on quality. “The launch of Vonder Riverside is also the perfect time to introduce our new membership programme, which is designed to provide renters with the freedom to choose the services and benefits that suit their lifestyles. The flexibility also means members can easily move locations within the Vonder ecosystem, offering them greater choice and ease as their circumstances and needs change. We believe our approach is unique and borne of our fundamental understanding of what renters want in a rapidly evolving market.” The opening of Vonder Riverside in Leeds follows the recent addition of The Dome Apartments to the Vonder portfolio, comprising over 21,000 sq ft of residential space in three locations across London, as well as Vonder Wembley, the all-in-one living concept spread across 160,000 sq ft of space. Vonder has a wide international portfolio of over 30 locations across London, Leeds, Berlin, Munich, Warsaw and Dubai, with plans to expand further in the US, continental Europe and the Middle East.
Caddick Construction’s growing apprentice programme across the North West is going from strength to strength with the appointment of a further seven new faces over recent months. The young recruits come from a variety of educational backgrounds as Caddick continues its commitment to bring through new talent to meet demand in the North West construction sector. Nathan Crowther and Malachy Cefai join as apprentice quantity surveyors while studying for their degrees in Quantity Surveying at the University of Salford. Nathan Worrall, from Liverpool, has joined as an apprentice administrator as he studies for his Level 3 in Business Administration at Warrington College. Harry Young, Georgia Harper, George King and Cameron Snow were taken on as trainee engineers while studying for their HNCs in Civil Engineering or Construction in the Built Environment. As well as studying at local colleges in Wigan and Leigh or Warrington, the apprentices are gaining live construction experience on Caddick Construction projects such as Guinness Point at Trafford Park, Gemini 8 in Warrington and AVIATOR at Ellesmere Port. All have the opportunity to shadow team members on site and, as part of their qualifications, they also spend a number of days on site to embed their knowledge and understanding of the wider construction industry. Ian Guildford, Contracts Manager at Caddick Construction, said: “We have a fantastic calibre of apprentices working closely with us on some high-profile projects across the North West. It is essential we equip the future workforce with valuable construction skills, enabling them to work on live projects. Work readiness is key if we are to continue to bolster the economy across the region and prepare the next generation for the construction sector.” Michelle Swarbrick, Social Value Manager from Caddick Construction, added:“Having joined Caddick to help deliver social value across the North West, I’m delighted to recruit seven apprentices from across the region demonstrating our commitment to tackling future skills shortages in the industry.”
In November 2020, the Government published its 10-point plan for a Green Industrial Revolution. It set out a path to Net Zero by 2050. CO2nstructZero is the construction sector’s response. It sets out how the industry can collectively meet Net Zero and uses the Climate Change Committee’s 6th Carbon budget to establish the priorities that frame an action plan of how they will measure their progress and hold themselves to account. Launched in March 2021 by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), CO2nstruct Zero brings together organisations that are demonstrating leadership in relation to carbon reduction, sharing their good practice with others from across the UK construction sector, and providing a set of metrics that enables the sector, quarterly, to collectively measure its progress to Net Zero. Since its launch more than 70 Business Champions have committed to targeted carbon reduction, and to provide details of how they are achieving this to help those from across the wider sector. Robert Candy, Chief Executive of the Scaffolding Association said “The Scaffolding Association has always been a strong advocate for moving to a sustainable future. This initiative is a step in the right direction to provide individuals and businesses with scalable practical help, support and the tools they will need to understand and play their part. Climate change is happening. Every industry has a part to play in reducing carbon emissions and meeting net zero by 2050. The construction industry is no exception”. For more information on CO2nstructZero visit CO2nstructZero » Construction Leadership Council
Mobile Mini UK, one of the leading worldwide providers of portable accommodation and secure storage containers, has furthered its reputation for excellence after being named the GOLD winner of the Customer Experience category at the 2022 UK Business and Innovation Awards (UK B&IA). These prestigious awards celebrate achievements across a multitude of sectors and industries, highlighting successful and innovative businesses from all corners of the UK. 19 trophies were awarded to winners via a virtual awards ceremony in diverse categories reflecting distinct areas of business and innovation excellence. Mobile Mini has a fleet of over 40,000 portable units for a variety of storage solutions and 16 strategically placed sites throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Members of staff from the business gathered at the company headquarters in Stockton-on-Tees to witness the moment they were crowned winners of the Best Customer Experience Award, alongside their multi-award winning CX partners Think Wow. Think Wow support companies with strategy and training when they establish a need to remain customer-focused, competitive, profitable and happy. The team undertake a deep-dive review of company culture, shared objectives and customer feedback, then use detailed insights to expertly design a positive future strategy. Once agreed with senior members of staff, the Think Wow team assist with the implementation and adoption of newly refined processes. These activities assist with building a positive brand reputation, growing business operations from within and most importantly, empowering all staff and customers to both provide and receive the best possible experiences. Mobile Mini recognised that post-pandemic, customer needs, expectations and behaviours had significantly changed and the company understood maintaining standards, as well as improving approaches, was more essential than ever before. The business launched its CX project with a presentation to almost 300 members of staff, outlining the thinking behind implementing a renewed customer focus. The Think Wow team mapped out unique experiences and spoke with individuals and teams to establish what could be done better, embedding themselves within Mobile Mini to avoid working in a vacuum and ensuring accurate holistic benchmarking took place. They also directly contacted customers to establish an external view of what succeeds and used this insight to build improvement objectives. Rebecca Brown, CEO of Think Wow said, “Partnering with Mobile Mini on their Customer Experience strategy has been one of the most rewarding experiences we’ve had at Think Wow. Their passion and enthusiasm for getting things right, not just for customers but for employees too is genuinely special. We couldn’t be happier that their hard work and commitment to consistently great customer experiences has been recognised with this award win. We’re sure it will be the first of many to come!” Simon Gray, Head of Region at Mobile Mini, was the customer experience project lead for the partnership with Think Wow, he said, “Mobile Mini has built a reputation for excellence and we are pleased that the ongoing efforts of our staff have been highlighted with this fantastic award. There is always room for improvement and despite our recent acclaim and achievements, Mobile Mini is committed to never standing still and always challenging ourselves to do better. This accolade is truly about everyone at Mobile Mini. It is the responsibility of our people across the UK to look after our customers directly and indirectly. Every member of staff deserves recognition for contributing to this achievement through a consistent level of service and going above and beyond every single day. Our thanks go to Think Wow for their support and expertise in guiding us on our continued customer experience journey.” Mobile Mini has won multiple awards in recent times including being named ‘Safety Team of the Year Highly Commended Winner’ at the last International Safety Awards and winning the North East Business Award for its COVID-19 response. The business supported the NHS with units throughout the pandemic, rolled out life-saving defibrillator equipment to all of its branches and invested in new safety features on an upgraded fleet of trucks. 7% of employees at Mobile Mini are now qualified Mental Health First Aiders and the company continues to adapt its approach to better support general well-being and work-life balances.
United Living Group is delighted to announce that Caroline Lewis has been appointed as Managing Director for New Homes. Caroline has been working for United Living as Development Director, having joined the business in 2018, bringing with her 17 years of industry experience from both the public and private sectors. A Chartered Town Planner, Caroline has worked on multi-million-pound land acquisitions, regeneration and open market sales schemes, and implemented viability assessment models for both new build and asset management. Her promotion follows a series of key appointments at United Living Group as it moves into the next stage of its strategic development and ensures a best in class service for its customers in 2022 and beyond. Conor Bray, Chief Operating Officer, United Living Group, said: “I am delighted that we continue to strengthen our executive team from within the business which clearly demonstrates the strength and depth we have within the team. Caroline has taken on the role of Managing Director at an exciting time for United Living Group as we continue to innovate and drive forward our ambitious growth strategy”. “She has strong operational leadership and has led the New Homes business into the Build to Rent sector – securing a number of schemes, PCSA opportunities and direct negotiations of significant value. She also holds a degree and masters in Town Planning, alongside a postgraduate diploma in Surveying, highlighting her expert knowledge within the field”. Caroline Lewis, Managing Director, United Living New Homes, commented: “Having worked with the teams at United Living, I am delighted to be given the opportunity to take on the New Homes Managing Director role. “During my time with the business I have been very impressed with all of the people I have met and worked with. United Living is blessed with very talented, ambitious and dedicated people and the company has a tremendous future, well placed to go from strength to strength and I am excited to be on this journey.”
Glass Futures, Network Space Developments, St Helens Borough Council, Liverpool City Region, MPs Marie Rimmer and Connor McGinn and contractor Bower & Kirkland welcomed UKRI and BEIS to the site to mark the ground-breaking of the Glass Futures Centre of Excellence. The 165,000 sq ft transformational global glass research and innovation facility is expected to complete in January 2023, ready for internal fit-out. Network Space Developments (NSD) has appointed building contractor B&K to deliver the building at Saints Retail Park, occupying a site with links to the historic glass industry for which the town is famed. Delivery of the project was conceived and is being managed by landowner and developer NSD, on behalf of a partnership including not-for-profit research organisation Glass Futures , St Helens Borough Council, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and UKRI (UK Research & Innovation). This dynamic and fast-moving partnership has rapidly turned the Glass Futures concept into a deliverable and contracted scheme in less than two years. NSD will continue to manage the delivery of the project through to practical completion. The building has been presold by NSD to global investor Standard Life Investments Property Income Trust, part of abrdn, to secure forward funding and conclude a viable delivery strategy. Property Agents B8 acted for Network Space with CBRE acting on behalf of abrdn. It has been pre let to St Helens Borough Council on a 15-year head lease and will be sub-let to Glass Futures, which will occupy and manage the building to deliver industry and government backed research and development projects focused on decarbonising glass production. It will also provide a platform for the industry to access an experimental scale furnace to test and run trials for implementation at commercial scale on a state-of-the-art line, both collaboratively and individually. Led by Bowmer & Kirkland the Centre’s construction will bring a host of social and economic benefits to St Helens and the wider Liverpool City Region including commitments to local employment opportunities and apprenticeship hours. Speaking at the ground-breaking event, St Helens Borough Council Leader, David Baines, said: “It’s great to be here today to see construction begin on Glass Futures, the state-of-the-art, globally significant project. Over the next year, the glass research and innovation facility will be built on the brownfield site of the former United Glassworks, with a focus on decarbonising glass production. “It will once again put St Helens at the forefront of glass innovation and help us play a significant role in the Green Industrial Revolution, leading the way for other industries to cut their carbon emissions. “The fact that work has begun only two years since the scheme was conceived is testament to some exceptional partnership working, and I’d like to thank Glass Futures and everyone involved for their efforts in getting us to this stage.” Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “Just a few months ago, the UK hosted world leaders at the COP26 summit in Glasgow. It was agreed there that urgent action is needed to tackle the emergency we face from climate change. Glass Futures is a prime example of how we can do that – whilst also building back from the economic fallout from Covid-19. “St Helens has always been a global leader in the glass industry and Glass Futures will be a key part of making sure it retains that role in the future of the industry as it decarbonises, whilst being a key driver for jobs and skills.” Bruce Adderley, Challenge Director of the UKRI’s Transforming Foundation Industries challenge, said: “The goal of the Transforming Foundation Industries Challenge is to help energy and resource intensive industries such as glass, steel, cement, ceramics, paper, and chemicals develop new green technologies and more efficient ways of working together. “This event at St Helens is an important milestone on the road to achieving this aim which is essential if the UK and its regions are to deliver world-leading net-zero carbon clusters. As we progress with its development, this global centre of excellence will support the glass and other foundation industries in their transitions to more efficient, productive, and environmentally conscious operating models.” Marie Rimmer, MP for St Helens South and Whiston, said: “For centuries glass has been a huge part of St Helens. It is part of the fabric that makes up our town. Glass Futures will keep St Helens at the heart of the global glass industry for many more years to come. “The ground breaking today represents a significant step towards a promising future for St Helens. Glass is going to be the green material of choice for decades to come. The research and innovation that takes places at Glass Futures will make sure that local people and our town benefits.” Catherine Chilvers, Development Director at Network Space, said: “Today’s event was a notable milestone for the project and follows two years of dedicated partnership working between ourselves, Glass Futures, St Helens Borough Council, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and UKRI. It is fantastic for all partners to see the works commencing on site as we transform a redundant former glass works site into a global R&D asset. The project will proudly secure St Helens at the forefront of glass innovation and sustainable glass production.’’ Glass Futures’ Chief Executive, Richard Katz, said: ““With the ground-breaking ceremony, Glass Futures has reached a real milestone in the delivery of its Global Centre of Excellence for glass in R&D, innovation and training. Due for completion next year, we will be targeting the elimination of carbon from mass production in the glass industry, as well as other Foundation Industries. “For the future of mankind, it’s essential the world wakes up to the damage it’s doing to itself and collectively acts now to dramatically reduce fossil fuel emissions whether from industry, transport, agriculture or domestic heating. The Glass Futures’ hot glass experimental facility is a substantial stepping stone to cutting emissions, designed to work both collaboratively or privately with industry to identify and deliver sustainable
NATIONAL construction company Clegg Food Projects has begun work to convert the former Phillips Avent facility in Glemsford, Suffolk, into a world-class cocoa & chocolate production factory after being appointed as the Principal Contractor. International Malaysian-owned cocoa manufacturer Guan Chong Berhad (GCB) appointed Clegg Food Projects to part-demolish and construct a new factory to enhance the processing and manufacturing facilities, that will produce cocoa butter, cocoa powder, liquor, and chocolate. The 17-acre site redevelopment will include new access, car parking and manufacturing facilities, warehousing and a biomass boiler to supply renewable energy for the production process as well as solar panels and electric car charging points. Oliver Jenkins, business development manager at Clegg Food Projects, said: “We are delighted that GCB appointed us to oversee and construct its new factory as it enters into the UK market for the first time. “GCB’s vision is to be a market leading cocoa supplier and the new factory will feature efficient and sustainable processing equipment to help make this a reality. “It is an exciting time. We have begun work and we cannot wait to see it completed. The new factory will bring jobs to the area and will hopefully just be the beginning for GCB as they grow into the UK market and wider.” GCB cocoa, which was established in Asia when it began trading cocoa beans in the 1980s, is principally involved in the manufacturing of cocoa derived food ingredients. With its move into the UK market, the firm has pledged to invest significantly and create jobs for the local area. Brian Bowen, general manager at GCB Cocoa UK Ltd, said: “We are very pleased to have appointed Clegg Food Projects as our Principal Contractor.Their understanding of what we need to achieve and the solutions they have provided will significantly assist helping GCB create its manufacturing footprint in the UK.” Clegg Food Projects has more than 40 years’ experience in the sector working with a number of household brands, both in the UK and abroad, across a wide range of sectors including bakery, beverages, dairy, fresh and frozen produce and many more. For further information visit www.cleggfoodprojects.co.uk or follow @CleggFoodP on Twitter.
The latest research by the new-build sales optimisation platform, Unlatch, has highlighted which towns and cities in England and Wales saw the highest value of new homes sold in 2021 as almost £6bn worth of new-build property was purchased. Unlatch analysed property transaction records from the Land Registry looking specifically at new-build purchases, ranking the nation’s towns and cities on the highest level of new-build value based on the sold prices of these transactions. The figures show that over the last year, the London market has remained the dominant force where the total value of new homes sold is concerned, with almost £1.4bn worth of new-build homes sold in 2021. Milton Keynes sits second, where new-build transactions totalled £89.7m in value during 2021. Bristol was also close behind with £89.4m worth of new homes purchased in the last year. In Bedford, £66.7m worth of new homes changed hands in 2021, with this total also exceeding £50m in Manchester (£56.3m), Northampton (£55.7m) and Worthing (£55.4m). The top 10 is completed by Birmingham (£48.7m), Nottingham (£47.2m) and Newcastle (£46.8m), while other areas to make the top 20 include Leicester, Ashford, Maidstone, Swindon, High Wycombe, Derby, Reading, Aylesbury, York and Liverpool. Lee Martin, Head of UK for Unlatch says: “The new-build sector has had to overcome a variety of obstacles during the pandemic including lockdown restrictions and a shortage of labour and materials, which has also increased costs. There have also been delays across the transaction timeline due to the requirement of EWS1 certifications, but despite all of this, new homes have still accounted for a sizable level of market value in 2021. While London remains the engine room of the new-build market, it’s clear that new homes are meeting a need the length and breadth of the nation, with towns and cities all over England and Wales ranking with the top 20 where total market value is concerned.” Data sourced from the Land Registry Price Paid data set, looking at new-build specific property purchases between Jan and Dec 2021 on residential homes.
Work on the UK’s longest railway bridge ramped up this week as HS2 began production of 1,000 enormous concrete segments that will form the deck of the Colne Valley Viaduct. Stretching for 2.1 miles (3.4km) across a series of lakes and waterways just outside London, the viaduct will carry high-speed trains as part of the HS2 project, designed to improve rail links between London, Birmingham and North, boost the economy and provide a low carbon alternative to car and air travel. The huge deck segments – which weigh up to 140 tonnes – are being made on site at a temporary factory built specifically for the project. The mammoth 100m long building, which is visible from the M25, has an internal volume of 105,000 cubic metres – making it larger than the Royal Albert Hall. HS2 Project Client, David Emms said: “We’re already making strong progress on the Colne Valley Viaduct – sinking the foundations, building the first piers, and now starting production at the new modular viaduct factory. Once complete, this iconic structure will carry trains at up to 200mph – improving connections across the UK, freeing up rail capacity and offering passengers low carbon travel options. “It’s great to see how much progress has been made and I look forward to seeing work on assembling the deck structure later this year.” Every segment will be a slightly different shape depending on where it fits into the viaduct and the modular approach was chosen to ensure quality, safety and efficiency in production and to avoid bringing them in by road. At the peak of construction, around 12 segments – each the size of a double-decker bus – will be cast every week using a ‘match-casting’ technique. This approach – where each segment is poured against the previous one – will ensure the whole arch fits perfectly when reassembled on site. The huge project is being led by engineers from HS2’s main works contractor Align JV – a team made up of Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine, and VolkerFitzpatrick. Once construction is complete, the factory and surrounding buildings will be removed and the whole area between the viaduct and the Chiltern tunnel will be transformed into an area of chalk grassland and woodland as part of HS2’s ‘green corridor’ project. Daniel Altier, Align Project Director “Seeing the first deck segments being cast in the factory marks a significant milestone for the project. The design of the viaduct is such that each segment will be unique, delivering a structure which I have no doubt will be one of the most striking elements of HS2 once complete. “I would like to thank all the Align team and our supply chain partners that have enabled us to get to where we are today and in particular VSL, Danny Sullivan, Sendin and Tarmac.” The design of the Colne Valley Viaduct was inspired by the flight of a stone skipping across the water, with a series of elegant spans, some up to 80m long, carrying the railway around 10m above the surface of the lakes, River Colne and Grand Union Canal. Set low into the landscape, wider spans will carry the viaduct crosses the lakes, with narrower spans for the approaches. This design was chosen to enable views across the landscape, minimise the viaduct’s footprint on the lakes and help complement views across the natural surroundings. Work has also begun on the 56 giant piers that will support the viaduct, working from north to south. Weighing in at around 370 tonnes, the first 6m tall reinforced concrete pier was cast on site by a team of engineers who used a specially-designed formwork to create the shape of the structure. This was then removed after 4 days to reveal the final product. Each pier is designed to support the full weight of the deck above and rests on a set of concrete piles going up to 55m into the ground. This foundation work began earlier this year and will require the construction of 292 piles and 56 pile caps across the whole length of the viaduct. Once complete, the team will then use a specialised ‘launching girder’ resting on top of the piers to lift the deck segments into position. In another visible sign of progress on the project, the team have also completed the construction of the first two of four jetties across the lakes to get equipment into position to support the construction thereby taking construction vehicles off local roads. Where the viaduct crosses the lakes, the piles are being bored directly into the lakebed, using a cofferdam to hold back the water while the pier is constructed.