The latest report from Balfour Beatty has urged the government to maintain a commitment to devolution in the autumn statement to stop the issue of devolution from “slipping off the radar.” The contractor’s report, entitled ‘Where now for combined authorities?’, outlines 10 recommendations made to maintain the devolution agenda in
A date has been given for the reopening of Marlow Bridge. Closed to traffic since September 24, it is hoped it will open on Friday November 25, weather permitting. The decision follows the outcome this week of structural engineering tests, which have been carried out since a 37-tonne lorry tried
Reading-based international support services and construction group Interserve has secured a five year total facilities management account with six central government departments worth over £40 million. The account, known as the ‘Affiliate Cluster’, will cover the Cabinet Office, the Department for International Development (DFID), the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the
A survey of Build UK members has found that the shortage of skilled labour has become more severe since Brexit, despite the EU referendum outcome not having an immediate slowdown in work for UK contractors overall. The survey shows that in the three months following the referendum, labour costs are
The preferred bidders for the first three contracts to build the £55.7 billion HS2 rail line have been chosen. It is understood that joint ventures between Costain / Skanska, Morgan Sindall / Bam Nuttall / Ferrovial and Laing O’Rourke / Murphy have been chosen as the successful bidders for the
Construction firm Beard has been awarded a £1.6 million contract to build and refurbish the existing facilities at Guildford Cricket Club’s pavilion. The pavilion, which was built in 1938, will be upgraded to create new larger, more contemporary changing rooms and a modernised events space, connected to a viewing balcony.
Asian investors have agreed a deal to invest billions of pounds into East London construction over the next five years. The deal was signed in London yesterday with Chinese developer ABP pledging to invest £1.7 billion over the course of the next eight years in its Royal Albert Dock project.
Seven recently completed three-storey town houses in Brighton are setting high design and construction standards aided by the stylish finish achieved through the application of weberpral M, the innovative one-coat, through-coloured monocouche render from Saint-Gobain Weber. These new four-bedroom properties, built by Lewes’-based developer Cross Construction (Sussex) Limited, have light
In response to the Welsh Government’s newly published budget, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) Cymru has said that the announcement of a new £111 million fund for apprenticeships must be followed by a sector-specific plan as to where this training will be targeted. Director of FMB Cymru, Ifan Glyn,
Introducing the World’s First Elevated Home: Is It the Answer to the UK’s Housing Issues? While some industries are constantly heralded as holding the keys to a bright and progressive future, others are derided as moribund and increasingly irrelevant in the modern age. Take manufacturing, for example, which despite accounting
The latest report from Balfour Beatty has urged the government to maintain a commitment to devolution in the autumn statement to stop the issue of devolution from “slipping off the radar.” The contractor’s report, entitled ‘Where now for combined authorities?’, outlines 10 recommendations made to maintain the devolution agenda in the face of political uncertainty resulting from the EU referendum and the resultant government shake up. The top recommendations made are for the government to maintain its commitment to devolution and to remove the uncertainty around EU funding for local authorities. Up until 2020, the EU has allocated £5.3 billion of regeneration funds to local councils, however the future of this funding is still not clear as the UK continues to negotiate its way out of the EU. Mike Reade, Regional Director at Balfour Beatty, said that a possible loss of funding is “certainly a concern” for local government and there is a danger that the devolution agenda may “slip off the radar” if the government places all of its focus on negotiating its way out of the EU. Reade commented: “It is the uncertainty that hurts. If there is uncertainty on policy and uncertainty on funding, then there is a danger that the momentum of devolution is lost.” Mr Reade said devolution is important for contractors because it has encouraged local government to become more commercially aware. This in turn has encouraged local councils to engage with the private sector in making investment decisions. He said: “From our point of view, discussions taking place around public and private partnerships means we’re starting to see longer programmes of work being talked about. “If we get to enter into some closer public/private partnership relationships and get more visibility about future programmes, we can be more confident about our future.”
A date has been given for the reopening of Marlow Bridge. Closed to traffic since September 24, it is hoped it will open on Friday November 25, weather permitting. The decision follows the outcome this week of structural engineering tests, which have been carried out since a 37-tonne lorry tried to cross the bridge. Engineers’ rigorous inspection, ultrasound and magnetic particle testing revealed no serious damage. In the coming week, they will restore sections exposed for weld testing with three coats of paint, remove scaffolding surrounding the bridge’s two towers, and reinstate timber work removed for inspection. Mark Shaw, Buckinghamshire County Council’s transport cabinet member, said: “We needed to make sure the bridge was safe and secure for all to use before opening it, and I’m pleased the engineers’ go-ahead has come ahead of the Christmas trading period.” Engineers have been examining every part of the structure since the lorry, owned by the Lithuanian haulage company Girteka, tried to cross the bridge. A special inspection platform and a river barge were commissioned to enable testing above and below the road deck. The 19th century bridge has been open to pedestrians and cyclists. County Councillor Richard Scott said: “Christmas is a very important time for the town’s retailers, so this will come as a great relief to them. “Residents, visitors and commuters will also be pleased that traffic congestion on the Marlow bypass will be considerably reduced.”
Reading-based international support services and construction group Interserve has secured a five year total facilities management account with six central government departments worth over £40 million. The account, known as the ‘Affiliate Cluster’, will cover the Cabinet Office, the Department for International Development (DFID), the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the Government Actuary’s Department (GAD), the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted). This will be the first time that all six departments’ facilities management services will be handled by a single provider. The deal is hoping to achieve double digit cost savings each year across the departments. Under the terms of the agreement, Interserve will provide a number of services including front of house, catering and security, along with electrical and mechanical maintenance. The new partnership will also see the group incorporate the use of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in line with targets of the government. Adrian Ringrose, Chief Executive, commented: “We have excellent relationships in central government and are very pleased to be expanding this partnership into new departments. We feel that our extensive experience of delivering diverse, complex facilities management services for government makes us the ideal partner for this combined contract. “Ahead of the start of this contract we are focusing on the training and development of our people, to ensure we continue to provide the highest standard of customer service.” Chief Executive of the Civil Service, John Manzoni , added: “Bringing the support services together under a single overarching account will deliver significant benefits for each department and for the government as a whole. “Thanks to the efficiencies that our partnership with Interserve will deliver, we will achieve consistent service level across the estate whilst bringing savings; ensuring we are delivering real value to taxpayers.”
A survey of Build UK members has found that the shortage of skilled labour has become more severe since Brexit, despite the EU referendum outcome not having an immediate slowdown in work for UK contractors overall. The survey shows that in the three months following the referendum, labour costs are on the rise and there has been a significant increase in the number of contractors unable to bid for jobs because they cannot afford the workforce. At the end of June, the UK voted in favour of leaving the European Union in a referendum and while it will be at least two years before the UK actually leaves the EU, there is still uncertainty about what the impact will be in the end. Trade deals will need to be put in place that will determine the extent the UK will continue to support the free movement of people and goods. Build UK’s state of trade survey for Q3 of 2016, covering the months straight after the referendum (July to September) show that while members of Build UK saw their workloads increase immediately after the vote, there were more and more difficulties in recruiting skilled operatives. However, the survey does not shed any light on whether the result of the referendum may have in any way contributed to the recruitment problems recently experienced by the construction industry. An unrelated report from brokers Willis Towers Watson on the implications of Brexit for the UK construction industry states that the industry is currently relying on foreign labour from within the EU, with migrant workers currently filling around 12% of the 2.9 million UK construction jobs. The Build UK survey does show that labour shortages stopped a quarter of contractors from bidding for work during the third quarter of this year, a number that has increased from 16% in Q2.
The preferred bidders for the first three contracts to build the £55.7 billion HS2 rail line have been chosen. It is understood that joint ventures between Costain / Skanska, Morgan Sindall / Bam Nuttall / Ferrovial and Laing O’Rourke / Murphy have been chosen as the successful bidders for the three phase one enabling packages worth a combined total of £900 million. Last December, the shortlist for the £300 million enabling packages was revealed, with five consortiums battling it out for each of the North, Central and South sections of the line. It is understood that Costain / Skanska has won the southern section of the line, Laing O’Rourke / Murphy has scooped the northern section and Morgan Sindall / Bam Nuttall / Ferrovial’s Fusion JV will take on the central section. The procurement process is now set to go into a period of standstill, with official contracts set to be awarded in the next few weeks if there are no challenges. Major joint ventures between Balfour Beatty / Vinci and Carillion / Eiffage / Kier missed out on all three lots, while Bouygues / Sir Robert McAlpine / Morrison Utility Services / VolkerFitzpatrick and Galliford Try / Hochtief / Dragados missed out on one each. Included in the work will be site clearances, structural reinforcements, demolition, drainage and other associated work. The work is due to get underway early next year. The award of the enabling contract has come almost two months later than scheduled, with companies having initially expected a decision to be made on HS2 in August. Last week, companies submitted bids for the first of the seven civil packages, worth a total of £11.8 billion. Bids for the remaining six packages will be submitted between now and Christmas. HS2 expects to award the civils packages in the spring, which have a combined value of £11.8bn.
Construction firm Beard has been awarded a £1.6 million contract to build and refurbish the existing facilities at Guildford Cricket Club’s pavilion. The pavilion, which was built in 1938, will be upgraded to create new larger, more contemporary changing rooms and a modernised events space, connected to a viewing balcony. The project will see the creation of a new, wheelchair-accessible layout of the building, with a new ground floor lobby and a lift to the first and second floors. The building will also feature an additional second floor with an external seating area, a meeting room and bar. “This scheme will upgrade one of Guildford’s best-loved clubs,” Contracts Manager for Beard Guildford, Trevor Smallpiece, commented: “This scheme will upgrade one of Guildford’s best-loved clubs, providing modern new facilities which everyone will be able to access and enjoy. “We are pleased to be working with Guildford Borough Council on this fantastic new building refurbishment which is due for completion in July next year.” Architects practice Rolfe Judd says that the extention has been “sensitively designed to complement the current building and will incorporate smart timber cladding across the extended north front. Modern external stairs will replace the dated staircase. Robert Charles, chairman of Guildford Cricket Club, added: “This is a tremendously exciting project. The new pavilion will make Woodbridge Road into a superb cricket ground, worthy of hosting first class and top-level club cricket. It will also be a fantastic facility for the local community.” The new pavilion is expected to be completed at some point in 2017, and it is an exciting prospect for both the cricketers and fans alike as they await the new facilities. Earlier this year, Beard appointed David Sershall as managing director as it seeks to maintain its strong growth. Sershall joined the family-owned business from Hertfordshire-based engineering and construction company VolkerFitzpatrick, where he was managing director of the building division.
Asian investors have agreed a deal to invest billions of pounds into East London construction over the next five years. The deal was signed in London yesterday with Chinese developer ABP pledging to invest £1.7 billion over the course of the next eight years in its Royal Albert Dock project. This scheme will be supported by its partners CITIC Group and Thai company Charoen Popkhand Group (CP Group). The agreements were confirmed as part of the Chinese Vice Premier Ma Kai’s visit to the UK at the East London – China Investment Summit The £1.7 billion Royal Albert Dock investment will fund construction of up to six of the first phases of the project with work starting early next year. Chinese business CITIC is the main contractor on the job where Multiplex is also working on phase one. ABP, CITIC and CP Group have also set-up the The East London Development Group which will invest in other infrastructure and housing projects in the area. Mr Xu Weiping, Chairman of ABP, commented: “These major investments are a vote of confidence to the UK and London market following the Brexit vote. “East London is fast becoming one of capital’s most exciting places to do business and we are pleased that other Asian companies have seen the potential and are also now investing in the area.” Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, said: “The project will start construction early next year, and is designed as a comprehensive business-led mixed used development including up to 845 new homes. “It is expected to create 20,000 full-time jobs, which is great news for the people of Newham.” Britain’s relationship with China is still “golden”, the prime minister said as she welcomed a Chinese developer’s plans to build a £1.7bn business district in east London. Theresa May, who held talks with Ma Kai, China’s vice-premier, in Downing Street on Wednesday night, is keen to show Britain remains open to investment from China.
Seven recently completed three-storey town houses in Brighton are setting high design and construction standards aided by the stylish finish achieved through the application of weberpral M, the innovative one-coat, through-coloured monocouche render from Saint-Gobain Weber. These new four-bedroom properties, built by Lewes’-based developer Cross Construction (Sussex) Limited, have light textured facades and razor sharp features that achieve a striking contemporary visual impact. Designed by architectural practice Turner Associates of Hove, East Sussex, the properties meet Code for Sustainable Design standards and provide spacious town centre living. Factory produced to ensure product consistency weberpral M is a cementitious, through-coloured render suitable for one-coat application to suitable brick or block work substrates. Produced from carefully selected raw materials weberpral M monocouche render is formulated for pump application which makes quick and efficient installation that contributes to shorter construction programme periods, reducing associated scaffolding and site costs and permitting the completion of ground works at an earlier state. It is supplied ready-mixed with only the requirement of clean water to be added on site. Saint-Gobain Weber is the first manufacturer of monocouche renders to be awarded an A+ rating as defined in the BRE Global 2008 Green Guide to Specification. This audited material helps specifiers to make selections that will collectively reduce the environmental impact of their buildings while achieving a higher number of BREEAM material specification credits. Weberpral M has excellent weather resistance and durability whilst allowing the structure to breathe. Its through-coloured characteristic requires no decoration, is truly low maintenance and offers a variety of ways to achieve architectural features. It is available in a wide palette of 24 attractive colours. Weberpral M is applied in a two pass operation to a thickness of 20-28mm and then scraped when green giving a minimum render thickness of 15-25mm. On the recommendation of specialist applicator Complete Rendering Systems of Lewes, East Sussex, the properties were fully meshed with reinforcing meshcloth to protect against movement in the substrate and ensure maximum durability. “We advised the client that this is a recognised and recommended procedure on a rapid build project and we are confident that the excellent finish will be maintained,” said Bradley Halls, Director, Complete Rendering Systems. “Applied in Chalk, to the structural substrate of 70Nm medium density concrete blockwork, the light fresh colour has contributed to the sharp, contemporary appearance of these attractive properties.” For more information about this project, or for technical support, please contact Saint-Gobain Weber on 08703 330 070, or visit www.netweber.co.uk. Customers in Ireland should call 028 9335 2999 or visit www.weber.ie A free download of the new weber.app for iPhone and iPad users is also available from iTunes and from Google Play for Android smartphones and tablet users. Follow Saint-Gobain Weber on Twitter @SGWeberUK for the latest company news and updates.
In response to the Welsh Government’s newly published budget, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) Cymru has said that the announcement of a new £111 million fund for apprenticeships must be followed by a sector-specific plan as to where this training will be targeted. Director of FMB Cymru, Ifan Glyn, said that they welcome the Welsh Government’s announcement of a new £111 million apprenticeship fund, aimed at creating 100,000 all-age apprenticeships. He added that is it now important that the Welsh Government focuses on the task of allocating those funds to training in industries where skilled workers are needed most and where the impact will be most beneficial for the wider economy. Glyn said that for that reason, it would be helpful to provide a sector break down of where these 100,000 apprenticeships will be created, so that key industries and businesses can plan ahead. Glyn concluded: “In particular, the construction industry is still waiting on a clear skills strategy from the Welsh Government. Our sector is already suffering from an enormous talent shortage, and this is only likely to worsen as the Welsh Government embarks on its drive to build more homes in addition to the obvious pressures that will be created by major infrastructure projects such as the new Wylfa nuclear power plant. “Businesses need to know whether the projected number of construction apprenticeships to be funded will be adequate to plug this skills gap. At a time of continued reductions in UK-wide spending and economic uncertainty in the wake of Brexit, creating jobs with a virtual guarantee of high value, well paid employment that will help generate activity throughout the Welsh economy is a no brainer. Few industries are better placed to provide such opportunities than construction. This is something which we hope the Welsh Government recognises.”
Introducing the World’s First Elevated Home: Is It the Answer to the UK’s Housing Issues? While some industries are constantly heralded as holding the keys to a bright and progressive future, others are derided as moribund and increasingly irrelevant in the modern age. Take manufacturing, for example, which despite accounting for 52% of UK exports and generating 2.5 million jobs in the UK is still viewed as a declining entity. A similar gap between perception and reality is also evident in the construction sector, particularly as the demand for new homes has suffered in line with rising price points. Despite this and the challenges created by Brexit, however, the construction sector actually showcased impressive growth while the Markit/CIPS purchasing managers’ index increased to a healthy 52.6. The World’s First Elevated Home, and What Will it Means for the UK? While supply, demand and determinism shape the robust nature of the construction sector, however, there is another important factor at play. This is innovation, which was in evidence recently as a UK developer applied for planning permission to construct an experimental property that can rise on jacks in the event of a flood. Although still at the planning and stage, the idea is the subject of both domestic and international patents and it has the potential to revolutionise the property market (particularly in the UK). The structure itself, which will be built in Spalding, Lincolnshire once planning permission has been granted, will sit on a steel ring beam instead of conventional foundations. It will also boast a modular, steel-frame design that can be easily disassembled at will, while the mechanical jacking system (which includes eight individual jacks) will be powered by a central metre and elevate the property by up to 1.5 metres. According to moderate estimates, this system can fully elevate the property within a period of five minutes, enabling home-owners to react to unexpected flooding and safeguard their home before seeking out temporary accommodation. Are There Any Potential Issues with the Build, and How Might it Influence the Marketplace? Aside from planning delays and potential construction issues, there are other issues that may prevent this innovative project from coming to fruition. To begin with, the cost of the build is likely to be high, particularly when you scale the idea and factor in features such as integrated, rooftop solar panels and complex pipe networks. Given the challenges that construction firms face when attempting to budget their working capital across large-scale projects, an inflated cost base could make the completion of multiple units unlikely in the near-term. With that being said, however, there is no doubt that this ground-breaking concept could have a seminal impact on the housing market in the UK. Not only could it increase the level of demand for property in coastal areas, for example, but it may even enable private sector firms to build on land that is currently inaccessible due to the risk of flooding. With demand currently outstripping supply in the housing market, elevating homes could correct this imbalance and lower price points accordingly. This is a long way off, of course, and there are many challenges to overcome before the first elevating house can even by built. If the concept is a commercial and theoretical success, however, it could open up more land to construction firms and help to re-establish a viable equilibrium in the property market.
