In response to the further easing of lockdown restrictions, HAE EHA (Hire Association Europe and Event Hire Association) is to restart SafeHire Certification audits to help get the industry back on its feet – in line with recovery strategies of the UK governments and the Republic of Ireland. HAE EHA
Glasgow-based housing association the Wheatley Group has been named the UK’s largest builder of social-rented homes. In a newly-released annual new build survey by Inside Housing Magazine, the organisation came first for the fourth consecutive year. The housing, care and property-management group built 601 homes for social rent between April 2019, and March this year. It
Commercial real estate developer Network Space has become a member of the Northern Powerhouse Partner Programme. The company, established in 1982, has its headquarters in Warrington and engages closely with stakeholder partners across the North. It has recently delivered award-winning and job creating schemes including Mere Grange at St Helens,
THE number of project managers, contractors and stakeholders opting to carry out training in NEC contracts has sharply risen thanks to online training courses, NEC4 drafter Dr Stuart Kings reveals. Online training on how to best use and understand the NEC suite of contracts was launched in May via NEC
The weeks of lockdown have accelerated the creation of liveable streets and green spaces, according to speakers at the latest e-Roadshow on Realising Resilience presented by Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation. “It was interesting to see the changes that have already taken place in London and to learn about how
Yorkshire Water has joined Project 13, an industry initiative to improve the way high-performing infrastructure is delivered and managed, to achieve its AMP7 capital programme. The Project 13 framework, led by the Infrastructure Client Group (ICG), and partnered with the Institution of Civil Engineers, is based on collaboration and shared
Connex Offsite, specialists in the manufacture of high-end modular bathroom pods announced a three million pound contract, to supply luxury modular bathroom pods to London property developer, Mount Anvil. The contract will see the Newry based manufacturer export their residential bathroom pods to Mount Anvil’s Royal Eden Docks development, an
Bassetlaw District Council has granted planning approval for a 2.5 million square foot logistics and business park next to the A1 in Nottinghamshire. The development, to be built in Harworth, will comprise units ranging from 100,000 square foot to 800,000sq ft. Planning consultancy Barton Willmore secured the permission on behalf
There are many reasons for a property owner to decide whether they want to repair their damaged, leaking roof or opt for a full roof replacement. In some instances it is not even up to the property owner, for example when insurance is involved. If you roof is damaged or
A 360-tonne bridge has been lifted into place as part of construction of a new port for the South East, Tilbury2. The steel bridge was towed 135 nautical miles from Rotterdam to the Tilbury2 site – a process which took 24 hours – before it was lifted into place. The
In response to the further easing of lockdown restrictions, HAE EHA (Hire Association Europe and Event Hire Association) is to restart SafeHire Certification audits to help get the industry back on its feet – in line with recovery strategies of the UK governments and the Republic of Ireland. HAE EHA took the decision to resume safety audits as construction workers and those involved in the hire sector make their way back to work, though to address members’ concerns a ‘Point of Work Risk Assessment’ will be conducted to ensure that there is an agreed and safe method of conducting the audit process. During the coronavirus pandemic, HAE EHA had provided a three-month extension to members who’s SafeHire Certification had expired or was about to expire. Now that many businesses in the tool, plant and equipment hire sector are reopening their operations for customers, the team at HAE EHA is urging members to book dates for audits as the service resumes as near to normal as possible. The trade association’s Director of Certification Services, Carl Bartlett, acknowledged that things will have to be done differently for the foreseeable future but the need to provide the safest possible working environments when hire operations reopen is crucial for a sector that plays such a vital role in the wider UK economy. He added: “In order that we continue to support our members to maintain the highest of standards in the hire and rental industry we are recommencing our audit services from July. We will of course observe any safety requirements implemented within an organisation and communicate these to our team whilst conducting the desktop and site audits.” In response to the interruption of services due to Covid-19 the association has been hosting webinars and produced updated practical guidance for hire centres which can be accessed through the HAE EHA website. HAE’s SafeHire Certification Scheme was formalised into a private standard by the British Standards Institute, and HAE is now working to raise awareness of the SafeHire scheme at local and national governmental levels. In order for hire firms to achieve certification, participation in the SafeHire scheme requires that businesses are inspected annually and everything from paperwork, day-to-day operations, staff training and environment is checked for continued compliance with the scheme’s rigorous standards. SafeHire Certification allows customers to approach event, tool and plant hire companies with confidence, as it proves a firm’s competence in upholding high standards in health, safety, environment and quality of equipment as well as a well-trained workforce to support customers as fully as possible. For more information visit www.hae.org.uk
Glasgow-based housing association the Wheatley Group has been named the UK’s largest builder of social-rented homes. In a newly-released annual new build survey by Inside Housing Magazine, the organisation came first for the fourth consecutive year. The housing, care and property-management group built 601 homes for social rent between April 2019, and March this year. It built a total of 802 affordable homes in this period, including 197 mid-market houses and flats, taking the number of new affordable homes completed in the past five years to 3,578. Wheatley’s ambitious new-build programme has been funded by over £1 billion of private and public investment raised over the past six years. Alistair MacNish, group chairman, said: “We view the title of ‘the UK’s largest builder of social-rented homes’ as a badge of honour. To retain the title for four years in a row is proof of our total commitment to Scottish Government’s More Homes Scotland agenda. It is testimony also to our ongoing commitment to build fuel-efficient, attractive homes across some of Scotland’s most disadvantaged areas. We are proud our award-winning homes match what the private sector has to offer.” Work is underway or about to start on 30 Wheatley sites across Scotland, from West Dunbartonshire and Glasgow to West Lothian and Edinburgh and from Dumfries to Stranraer under plans to build 5500 affordable homes between now and 2026. Martin Armstrong, Wheatley chief executive, added: “Our quality, energy-efficient homes are changing people’s lives and transforming communities within an ambitious house-building programme that is making a significant contribution to the Scottish economy. As everyone knows, there is ongoing acute need for affordable homes and we are doing our bit and more to tackle this. “The arrival earlier this year of Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership – Scotland’s second largest housing association – into the Wheatley family has enabled us to extend our extensive house-building programme across the south of Scotland. “Now that house building has resumed in Dumfries and Galloway and our sites across the central belt, we are keen to make up for the lost ground caused by the coronavirus crisis.”
Commercial real estate developer Network Space has become a member of the Northern Powerhouse Partner Programme. The company, established in 1982, has its headquarters in Warrington and engages closely with stakeholder partners across the North. It has recently delivered award-winning and job creating schemes including Mere Grange at St Helens, Vector 31 in South Yorkshire and the Tameside Wellness Centre at Denton, Greater Manchester. Network Space Director Catherine Chilvers is also a Board member of the Local Enterprise Partnership that is advising on built environment issues and economic growth across the Liverpool City Region. The Northern Powerhouse Partnership Programme aims to boost the North’s economy through investment in skills, innovation, transport and culture. Network Space joins almost 400 businesses, civic bodies and charities based across the North of England which have joined the Government-led initiative. Network Space Chairman, Richard Ainscough, said: “Network Space is about delivering exceptional places and spaces for people to work. Over the last decade, we have helped champion and regenerate many urban areas that has struggled to attract inward investment. “These schemes have attracted global names back to the region, as well as providing long term jobs and opportunities. Our values and ambition align perfectly with the Northern Powerhouse and so we are delighted to be part of this wider business initiative.” The Northern Powerhouse is currently building on a £3.4bn Local Growth Fund investment to create world-class places where people want to live, work, visit and invest. It aims to boosting the local economy by investing in skills, innovation, transport and culture, as well as devolving significant powers and budgets to directly elected mayors to ensure decisions in the North are made by the North.
THE number of project managers, contractors and stakeholders opting to carry out training in NEC contracts has sharply risen thanks to online training courses, NEC4 drafter Dr Stuart Kings reveals. Online training on how to best use and understand the NEC suite of contracts was launched in May via NEC and national framework provider Pagabo. As with courses across the board, this training was converted into an online format and a huge response has seen all online training completely fully booked and future courses all reaching maximum numbers already. Dr Stuart Kings, technical director and in-house NEC expert at Pagabo, said: “It’s been really important to ensure that training can still be maintained during a time when organisations need NEC guidance the most, and we’re thrilled to report that the response to these online courses has been phenomenal. “People want the accreditation – and the online format has made the courses far more accessible at a time when individuals and organisations alike have adapted quickly to technology. “With the NEC, there are multiple contracts – a bit like a ‘box set’ of all contracts which includes consultancy, sub-contractors, major works and design, and build and operate. NEC covers every procurement exercise under the sub and embodies the principles of good project management – which is why it is now the dominant contract in the construction industry.” Stuart was one of the drafters of the NEC4 suite of contractors, which are used by Pagabo in its procurement processes. He reports that many organisations are currently wanting to gain a deeper understanding of how NEC contractors works, and to ensure that they are up to speed with the way it can be of benefit to them in terms of project management. As well as giving training to Pagabo’s contractors, supply chain and clients, Stuart has also been giving advice to organisations such as Pick Everard. Stuart continued: “While the NEC contract covers major projects such as Hinckley Point C, CrossRail and HS2, it is also suitable for smaller projects too. The training courses have taken people through the contract in close detail, from start to end. They have provided a checklist of actions taking you from day one of the project, right through to completion.” Simon Toplass, chief executive at Pagabo, said: “The NEC contract itself has been around since 1991, and when it launched it was seen as radically rewriting the rulebook. Instead of focusing purely on contractual procedures, the contract became more about project management principles and modern practice. “NEC is now so central to procurement particularly within the construction industry, so it’s really crucial for framework providers like us to offer real expertise in order to advise clients and suppliers and give the best possible support. We’re thrilled to have an in-house expert in Stuart and to be able to offer this expertise and training to others in the sector.” For more information, please visit www.pagabo.co.uk
The weeks of lockdown have accelerated the creation of liveable streets and green spaces, according to speakers at the latest e-Roadshow on Realising Resilience presented by Polypipe Civils & Green Urbanisation. “It was interesting to see the changes that have already taken place in London and to learn about how upcoming policy changes – as well as the pandemic – will push things even further,” said Sean Robinson, Specification Director, who hosted the event, Shaping City Policy to Support Biodiversity and Green Urbanisation. The first phase of the Ladderswood Estate regeneration in Enfield provided a practical example of green urbanisation in action, as described by Nicholas Wright, National Specification Manager – City & Landscapes. This complex scheme, which took just nine months from design to delivery, required check dams and flow controls to accommodate multiple areas, with the end result providing play spaces, grass, pathways and planting for the 517 households. Ecologist Dr Julia Baker, of Balfour Beatty, shone a spotlight on the future policy of biodiversity net gain. Changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and the Environment Bill, expected in late 2020, are likely to demand a 10% improvement in biodiversity but Julia urged developers to aim higher. “Better is different from best,” she said. “We must ask ourselves, at a project level and at a policy level, whether we have achieved the best outcome?” Careful design could, Julia argued, not only enhance biodiversity but be targeted to add social value such as improving areas of social deprivation. “Green Bounceback” is how Luke Hilson, Design Director at Barton Wilmore, described a post-Covid future where the urban streetscape has been reclaimed from traffic. Homeworking, active travel, and outdoor dining have already affected change, he said, with the creation of ‘parklets’ in our city streets: “One of the most visible things we have seen in the last few weeks and months, across London and the UK, is that we are taking space that was previously highway space and reclaiming it for people.” “The pandemic is leading us to accelerate what we had already planned to do,” said Peter Massini, Principal Policy Officer for Greater London Authority. Climate change had already made urban greening a priority, he noted, a thread which runs through the new London Plan, The Mayor’s Transport Strategy and the London Environment Strategy. “We need to blur the space between parks, green spaces and developments,” he said, pointing to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park development in East London as a practical example. This high-density housing development incorporates green roofs and SuDS that ends in a reed bed system before draining into the River Lea, providing both greater biodiversity and amenity. Peter also spoke of the need to rethink the role of parks in London’s transport system, for instance using sections around their perimeters for rental bike storage, as long as they were well designed. “We must make green space a functional part of the infrastructure of our cities,” he said. “Some people think of it as the urban realm intruding into parks, but I like to think of it as the parks intruding into the urban realm.” The next event of the series is on August 11th and concentrates on Ireland and covers Changing Legislation and Growing Ambition – Planning for Green Infrastructure and SuDS in Northern Ireland. The series concludes on August 18th, with a rescheduled Scotland event which considers the challenge of Delivering for the Climate Emergency in Scotland’s Green Network. All of the guest speaker presentations for the London e-Roadshow event can be viewed at https://www.polypipe.com/news For information on the full programme and details of how to register visit: – https://www.polypipe.com/roadshow-2020 Pic caption: Adapting streetscapes and parks to promote active travel will be at the heart of the post-Covid ‘Green Bounceback’.
Yorkshire Water has joined Project 13, an industry initiative to improve the way high-performing infrastructure is delivered and managed, to achieve its AMP7 capital programme. The Project 13 framework, led by the Infrastructure Client Group (ICG), and partnered with the Institution of Civil Engineers, is based on collaboration and shared success underpinned by a best for role approach and digital transformation, led by a strong capable owner. Yorkshire Water has joined the Project 13 Adopters group to enable the business to share ideas and learning with other organisations as it delivers key operational assets. Mark Baker, head of programme delivery at Yorkshire Water, said: “Joining the Project 13 Adopters Group alongside other UK and globally leading infrastructure organisations will support our continued journey towards becoming a high-performing enterprise. The framework focuses on a more collaborative approach. “We’ve seen great progress so far in how we’re adopting the principles to organise ourselves and begin to establish the programme into an enterprise approach. This will underpin Yorkshire Water’s ambitions. “It’s an exciting journey and we’re looking forward to seeing the benefits Project 13 will bring to Yorkshire Water, our partners and the efficient outcomes it will deliver for our customers.” Dale Evans, chair of the ICG, said: “Project 13 is a now a global industry change movement about building a sustainable future for the construction industry, creating a more highly skilled workforce and creating infrastructure that represents better value for all. “I’m delighted to see Yorkshire Water embed Project 13 principles into the AMP7 capital programme and help the delivery of infrastructure move from a transactional business model to a more collaborative and sustainable one. “The momentum demonstrated by more and more projects and programmes adopting Project 13 illustrates that the principles clearly resonate across infrastructure and I look forward to Yorkshire Water being an integral part of the P13 Adopter community.”
Connex Offsite, specialists in the manufacture of high-end modular bathroom pods announced a three million pound contract, to supply luxury modular bathroom pods to London property developer, Mount Anvil. The contract will see the Newry based manufacturer export their residential bathroom pods to Mount Anvil’s Royal Eden Docks development, an area in East London that is set to re-emerge as a globally significant commercial, cultural and residential centre. Connex is aggressively targeting new business throughout the UK, viewing the residential market as having major scope for future expansion. In the next two months, the firm will recruit staff for a variety of roles including joiners, operations managers, designers, general labourers and tilers, to meet their rapidly growing order book. Brendan Doherty, Managing Director of Connex Offsite said: “We are delighted to be working with Mount Anvil, one of the leading property developers in London, with thirty years of construction history in the city under their belts. “Mount Anvil recognised the high quality of our pods and standard of service from recent major projects we have delivered in Central London and decided our product was a perfect fit for their supply chain requirements. “We have seen huge growth in recent months and I believe the Covid-19 crisis has been the catalyst for a shift to modular construction. Off-site manufacturing is being embraced by the industry because of the restrictions on the level of labour on site. Because our pods are completely finished in a controlled environment, shrink wrapped on the factory floor and shipped to the construction site, we are reducing the numbers of trades required on site.” Connex launched two years ago, with a £1.2 million investment, and due to a significant increase in production, will move into its new £2.5millionfacility ahead of time, in August 2020.
Bassetlaw District Council has granted planning approval for a 2.5 million square foot logistics and business park next to the A1 in Nottinghamshire. The development, to be built in Harworth, will comprise units ranging from 100,000 square foot to 800,000sq ft. Planning consultancy Barton Willmore secured the permission on behalf of Mulberry Commercial Developments. The consultancy said the scheme would see the creation of nearly 3,000 jobs. Dan Mitchell, partner at Barton Willmore, said: “As well as economic growth and the creation of thousands of new local job opportunities, the larger warehouse units in Harworth will give their occupiers much greater flexibility in their day-to-day operations with the added bonus of being located close to air, sea, rail links and of course the motorway network via the A1.” Mark Day, development director at Mulberry Developments, added: “The logistics sector, led by retailers and third-party logistics operators, has moved towards very large-scale regional distribution centres at key transport locations, and this new planning consent enables us to respond to the demand with a logistics park of the very highest quality to serve the North Midlands and South Yorkshire markets.”
There are many reasons for a property owner to decide whether they want to repair their damaged, leaking roof or opt for a full roof replacement. In some instances it is not even up to the property owner, for example when insurance is involved. If you roof is damaged or leaking, you may be considering repairing the damaged area or investing money in a complete roofing system replacement. This article will cover some of the top things to consider when making this decision. Architectural Asphalt Roofing Shingles vs. Old Three-Tab Shingle Roofs The two main types of asphalt shingle roofs are, 1) old 3-tab shingles and, 2) architectural asphalt shingles. Many roofers prefer to only install architectural asphalt shingles. Hanover PA roofing contractor JWE owner Jeff W. Erb says that he never recommends 3-tab shingles, and only feels comfortable installing architectural asphalt shingle roofing. “I have been working on roofs for over 20 years and I’ve seen thousands of failed roofing systems. In my experience, the old 3-tab roofs are inferior to the newer architectural asphalt shingles in terms of durability and leak protection. Architectural asphalt shingles are more desirable not only because of their aesthetic appearance and the high-definition look they provide, but because of the lifetime warranty provided by roofing product manufacturers. It’ll be the last roof you ever need for your home”. Lifetime Warranty for Architectural Asphalt Shingle Roofs Erb is referring to the ‘out-of-the-wrapper’ warranty provided by shingle manufacturers like GAF, IKO and CertainTeed on their roofing products. Furthermore, roofing installers like JWE who are factory-certified by these manufacturers are able to register their customers new roofs for extended, full-coverage, “lifetime” warranties that exceed 30, 40 and even 50 years (depending on the manufacturer). These extended warranties are only available for architectural asphalt shingle roofing system installations, so if you have a 3-tab roof that is due for a replacement it is well worth the money to invest in an architectural asphalt shingle roof. When it comes to quick roof repairs, most roofers do not guarantee that their work will stop the leak for an extended period of time. In order to warranty their work, roofers want to know that their installation is done properly, and this just isn’t possible without removing the existing roof. Roofers therefore prefer to address the roofing system in its entirety, which we will discuss in the following section. Roofing System Anatomy: Components are Difficult to Repair, but a Roof Replacement Addresses the Entire System A building’s roof is more than just a layer of shingles or sheet metal. A roof is a system of barriers that work together to protect from water, leaks, wind, storms, hail, energy loss, and more – the shingles are simply the outermost visible layer of the roofing system. If that outer layer of shingles has failed to the point of water leaking into the home, it is likely that there is damage to inner barriers like underlayment, roof deck plywood, flashing (like chimney- and step-flashing), vent-pipe boot leaks, and more. It is rarely the case that the source of the leak can be easily identified in a way that makes a simple repair possible without having to remove large sections of the roof. In most cases a full roof replacement is the most effective way to thoroughly repair the leak. During a full roof replacement all the components of the roofing system are replaced, and the roofer is therefore confident that their installation will last for decades to come. NOTE: Metal roofing is becoming increasingly popular, and if your asphalt shingle roof is due for a replacement you may want to be one of the many homeowners who are considering updating to metal roofing like standing seam, metal shingles or corrugated steel. They are far more durable, last much longer, and are unlikely to leak or suffer storm damage. Some types are not much more expensive than asphalt shingle roofs. Learn more about metal roofing services costs, benefits, etc. Dealing with Insurance Claims for Roof Damage Caused by Storms and other Covered Perils Roofs are the most common part of a house that are paid for by insurance companies. Most roofing contractors have the majority of their work paid for by homeowners insurance, and they are all painfully aware of the fact that these insurers have a profit motive to pay out as little as possible. This usually results in approval for bare-minimum repairs rather than full replacements. Ultimately this causes more hassle for the homeowner, who will inevitably have to shell out money for future repairs or a full roof replacement sooner than they would have otherwise had to. It is possible for savvy homeowners to get the most out of their insurance provider for their roof damage repair claim if they hire the right roofing contractor, many of whom are partnered with public insurance adjusters who are experts at getting claims approved. They are usually hired on a contingency contract that holds the homeowner accountable for no more than their deductible. Hiring a professional loss adjuster like this is a win-win for owners dealing with home damage because the contractor’s goal is to get the full extent of work approved and paid for. CONCLUSION: Most Professional Roofers Recommend a Full Roof Replacement The fact that most roofers usually recommend replacing a leaking or damaged roof is not a dishonest ploy to upsell property owners. As we explained above, it is hard for a professional roofing contractor to guarantee a small repair because it’s almost always impossible to determine the source and cause of the leak. Furthermore, roofing manufacturers do not warranty their products unless the installation of three or more roofing system components accompanies their shingles, so anything short of a replacement is missing the opportunity for a lifetime warranty. The good news is that a roof replacement is often the last roof a homeowner will need to get. The lifetime warranty on architectural asphalt shingle roofs is transferable to the next
A 360-tonne bridge has been lifted into place as part of construction of a new port for the South East, Tilbury2. The steel bridge was towed 135 nautical miles from Rotterdam to the Tilbury2 site – a process which took 24 hours – before it was lifted into place. The approach bridge is the first of three components to be installed over the next few months to create a Roll On – Roll Off facility into the new terminal currently under construction by GRAHAM. Peter Ward, Commercial Director at The Port of Tilbury, said: “This is another important milestone in the creation of our new port Tilbury2. “GRAHAM’s team successfully completed the link span fixed bridge installation and we look forward to seeing the bridge opened early next year.” The steel bridge, measuring 54m x 15m x 5m was chosen for its strength and durability in the marine environment. It was transported by the HAPO pontoon H-332 and supporting tug. The Port of London (PLA) pilots were on board when entering the Thames Estuary and remained with GRAHAM throughout the lifting operations. Following closely behind in convoy was the MATADOR 3 seagoing floating sheerleg crane with a lifting capacity of 1,800 tonnes, again with a supporting tug. Paul Scott, Contracts Director for GRAHAM, said: “We have hit another milestone on this major project with the arrival and installation of the approach bridge. “It was a real team effort from the loading out at Ravestein’s BV yard through to the installation. “The approach bridge is positioned from abutments on both the landside of the flood defence and on the foreshore.” The Tilbury2 project consists of the construction of a new port terminal and associated facilities on land at the former Tilbury Power Station on the north bank of the River Thames at Tilbury. When operational in Spring 2020, Tilbury2 will be the UK’s largest unaccompanied freight ferry port, the country’s biggest construction processing hub and will see the creation of a new significantly larger rail head which can accommodate the longest freight trains of 775m. The project is central to the Port of Tilbury’s £1 billion investment programme during 2012-20, which has seen it double the size of its business in the past 10 years and is projected to double the volume of cargo across the quay (from 16 million to 32 million tonnes) and increase direct employment (from 3,500 to 12,000 jobs) over the next 10-15 years.
