CBE for AECOM bridge engineer

AECOM’s global long-span and specialty bridges director Robin Sham has been recognised with a CBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours.

He is one of a handful of business professionals to win recognition for their service to the industry.

A fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, the City and Guilds of London Institute and the Royal Society of Arts, Sham is an advocate for the civil engineering profession.

During his career he worked on the Second Severn Crossing  and on the Aberfeldy Bridge in Scotland.

More recently he contributed to two of the world’s longest cable-stayed bridges – the Sutong and the Stonecutters Bridges – as well as the first long-span, three-pylon, continuous suspension bridge, the Taizhou Bridge, and one of the longest sea crossings built in recent history, the Second Penang Bridge.

In a year that featured many housing industry professionals, Marc Vlessing, chief executive of compact homes developer Pocket, was honoured with an OBE.

Rhona Quinn, president of the Construction Employers Federation in Northern Ireland, also receives an OBE.

Other honours in the housing industry include CBEs for Jo Boaden, chief executive of the Northern Housing Consortium in Newcastle, Stephen Howlett, the former chief executive of Peabody, and Andrew Robertson chair of the LAR Housing Trust in Scotland.

Among the New Year’s list of MBEs, home Builders Federation deputy chairman Peter Andrew and Clifford Perry, railway expert at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, both received recognition.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/31/cbe-for-aecom-bridge-engineer/

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Balfour sells another chunk of M25 stake

Balfour Beatty has sold an additional 7.5% stake in Connect Plus – the company which operates the M25 motorway.

The sale to fund manager Dalmore Capital Limited will raise £62m making Balfour a profit pf £32m.

The latest deal follows the sale of a 12.5% stake in the scheme to Dalmore earlier this month which raised £103m.

Both sets of proceeds will be used by Balfour to pay down borrowings.

Balfour said: “As a result of the sale of 12.5 percent of Connect Plus, announced on 21 December 2017, and this transaction, the Board’s expectations for both Group profit before tax and year end net cash in 2017 are above those included in the Balfour Beatty Trading Update on 12 December 2017. 

“Taking account of both transactions, the expected 2017 Infrastructure Investments profit on disposal is now £85m.   

“The year-end net cash, which was originally forecast to be in line with prior year, is still expected to be around £103m higher since the proceeds from the sale of the 7.5 percent tranche will not be received until 2018.”

A further 5% stake in the M25 could be sold by May 2018.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/29/balfour-sells-another-chunk-of-m25-stake/

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Important tricyclic chemical compounds with efficient chirality control

Researchers have developed a highly efficient way to produce chiral multi-centered fused tricyclic compounds of which core structure is often found in bioactive compounds including medicines.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171228101122.htm

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Engineers hack cell biology to create 3-D shapes from living tissue

Many of the complex folded shapes that form mammalian tissues can be explained with very simple instructions, bioengineers report. By patterning mechanically active mouse or human cells to thin layers of extracellular fibers, the researchers could create bowls, coils, and ripples out of living tissue. The cells collaborated mechanically through a web of these fibers to fold themselves up in predictable ways, mimicking natural developmental stages.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171228132039.htm

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Project will provide reaction kinetics data for synthesis of metallic nanocrystals

Researchers have published the first part of what they expect to be a database showing the kinetics involved in producing colloidal metal nanocrystals – which are suitable for catalytic, biomedical, photonic and electronic applications – through an autocatalytic mechanism.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171227100050.htm

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Balfour plant arm wins Thames Tideway deal

Balfour Beatty’s Plant & Fleet Services business has been awarded a £2m contract to supply plant and accommodation to the Balfour Beatty joint venture delivering the west section of the Thames Tideway Tunnel with BAM Nuttall and Morgan Sindall.

Site office accommodation is being supplied to five of the seven work sites along with tower and crawler crane solutions which will be installed at the Hammersmith Pumping Station, Acton Storm Tank and Dormay Street sites.

The Thames Tideway Tunnel is a project designed to build a new sewage system across London, replacing the old and outdated sewers currently servicing the capital. A new 25km channel will be constructed using tunnel boring machines and will span from Acton in West London to Beckton in the East.

Balfour Beatty’s Plant & Fleet Services business sources and manages all items of plant, from everyday tools to specialist strategic plant equipment, as well as managing a sustainable supply of fleet vehicles for the wider Balfour Beatty Group.

Andy Ormerod, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s Plant & Fleet Services business, said “We are delighted to be able to provide our colleagues working as part of the Thames Tideway Joint Venture, with safe, innovative and cost effective plant and accommodation solutions which in the main involve brand new assets.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/27/balfour-plant-arm-wins-thames-tideway-deal/

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GBE lands fire and security package in Birmingham

GBE are set to start a major package at One Chamberlain Square in Birmingham to install fire, security and access control systems.

One Chamberlain Square is part of the Paradise development scheme in the city centre.

Briggs and Forrester is main contractor on the job to build a seven storey, 172,000 sq ft office building with shops and restaurants on the ground floor.

GBE have been appointed by Briggs and Forrester to design, supply, install and commission the fire, PAVA, disabled alarms, CCTV, access control and gas suppression systems.

GBE will start on site in January with work scheduled for completion in December 2018.

GBE will be working with partners Gent by Honeywell who will supply the Fire and PAVA Systems, Baldwin Boxall Disabled Refuge and WC Alarms, Brigit Gas for Gas Suppression and HIK will supply the CCTV system.

The Access Control system required integration with the Kone Lift System which specified partner Grosvenor Access is providing.

Paul Walsh, GBE Business Development Manager said: “To be involved in the regeneration of this part of Birmingham is genuinely exciting for GBE and our project team and we’re looking forward to being part of this historic scheme.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/27/gbe-lands-fire-and-security-package-in-birmingham/

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A new strategy for efficient hydrogen production

Scientists have introduced the Hybrid-SOEC system with highest reported electrochemical performance in hydrogen production.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171226154046.htm

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Electronically-smooth '3-D graphene': A bright future for trisodium bismuthide

Researchers have found that the topological material trisodium bismuthide (Na3Bi) can be manufactured to be as ‘electronically smooth’ as the highest-quality graphene-based alternative, while maintaining graphene’s high electron mobility.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171223134835.htm

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Understanding the impact of defects on the properties of moS2

Highly desired in the petrochemical industry, but generally unwanted in electronics manufacture, defects in MoS2 influence the properties and utility of this material. Analysis of atomically thin MoS2 reveals how defects behave and relate to MoS2’s anomalies.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171221101417.htm

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Accelerated analysis of the stability of complex alloys

Material scientists are able to determine if a new material remains stable under temperature load within the space of a few days. They have developed a novel process for analyzing, for example, the temperature and oxidation resistance of complex alloys that are made up of a number of different elements. Previously, such analyses used to take months.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171222092510.htm

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Team maps magnetic fields of bacterial cells, nano-objects for the first time

For the first time, researchers have noted that the magnetic fields of bacterial cells and magnetic nano-objects in liquid can be studied at high resolution using electron microscopy.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171222090320.htm

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Quantum coupling

Physicists have linked atoms and superconductors in a key step towards new hardware for quantum computers and networks.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171221122720.htm

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A catalytic balancing act

Scientists have recently used a new and counterintuitive approach to create a better catalyst that supports one of the reactions involved in splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. By first creating an alloy of two of the densest naturally occurring elements and then removing one, the scientists reshaped the remaining material’s structure so that it better balanced three important factors: activity, stability and conductivity.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171222090025.htm

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O’Rourke finds replacement contractor for problem hospital

Laing O’Rourke has finalised a deal with local Canadian contractor Pomerleau to deliver Phase 2 of the CHUM (Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal) project in Montreal.

Delays to the first phase forced O’Rourke to make a £93m write-down in its last accounts.

Chairman Ray O’Rourke said: “We have regularly reported that the project has resulted in significant financial losses for the Laing O’Rourke Group, and minimising further risk on Phase 2 has been a priority.”

O’Rourke also confirmed that the company’s books are looking much healthier.

He said: “Successful execution of this transaction will now allow us to finalise our FY17 year-end accounts (31st March 2017), which we expect to file at Companies House at the end of January 2018.

“I can confirm that the FY17 Group results show a profit before JVs and exceptionals, and I further confirm that our FY18 year-to-date results show a further improvement in the profitability of our core UK business. “

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/22/orourke-finds-replacement-contractor-for-problem-hospital/

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Skanska seals £127m contract for City of London scheme

Skanska has signed a £127m contract to build Eighty Fenchurch Street, a mixed-use commercial and retail development in the City of London.

Construction of the stepped block rising to 14 storeys will start next spring, with completion expected in 2020.

Designed by architects TP Bennett, the building comprises 22,000 square meters of offices and about 1,100 square meters of retail space over nine individual building elements making up the stepped block with roof gardens.

The scheme will target a BREEAM excellent rating in addition to a Wired Platinum Certification, which measures connectivity features to ensure the building will fit the digital needs of future tenants.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/22/skanska-seals-127m-contract-for-london-city-scheme/

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Crossrail sparks vote for New Year strike

Electricians employed by Balfour Beatty on the Woolwich section of Crossrail have voted to take strike action early next year.

A ballot was held among the 80 workers by the Unite union following a  row over bonus payments.

The electricians are demanding finishing bonuses of up to £5,000.

Balfour responded by revealing plans to make the majority of them redundant as the project winds down.

Unite said: “The workers recorded an 85 per cent yes vote in favour of strike action in the dispute which concerns the payment of an improved second tier payment and a four week finishing bonus, payable when the workers are informed they are to be made redundant.”

An initial 24 hour strike has been called for Wednesday 10 January with further action planned.

Unite added: “A finishing bonus is standard practice on this type project. It allows the workers to give notice on their lodging, without suffering financial loss.

“The entire workforce on the Woolwich project is based outside London and therefore has had to organise additional accommodation during the duration of the project.”

Unite regional officer Guy Langston, said: “We have repeatedly tried to resolve this issue through negotiation but Balfour Beatty has refused to take the workforce’s concerns seriously.

“We have had no option but to take strike action, this will undoubtedly cause disruption and could potentially delay the entire project.

“It is imperative that Balfour Beatty recognises the damage strike action will have to the Crossrail project and return to the negotiating table to resolve this issue.

“This ballot is a line in the sand and Unite will back its members to the hilt if further industrial issues develop during the final period of the project Crossrail.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/22/crossrail-sparks-vote-for-new-year-strike/

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Carillion wins extra time agreement from lenders

Carillion has been granted an extra four months by bankers to sort out its finances.

The company was set to breach its banking covenants this month but they have now been deferred to the end of April.

Carillion confirmed the deferral to April 30 2018 from December 31 2017 in a Stock Exchange announcement this morning.

The firm added: “As previously indicated, Carillion is in continuing constructive discussions with stakeholders regarding its options to reduce net debt and recapitalise and/or restructure the Group’s balance sheet. 

“These discussions are progressing well, and the Board still expects to determine the approach and to commence steps to implement the chosen option during the first quarter of 2018.”

Keith Cochrane, Carillion’s Interim Chief Executive, said:  “We believe that our lenders’ decision to defer the test date demonstrates their continuing support. 

“We remain focused on actively progressing a constructive dialogue with our financial stakeholders on the Group’s recapitalisation plans.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/22/carillion-wins-extra-time-agreement-from-lenders/

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Now entering, lithium niobate valley

Lithium niobate is already one of the most widely used optical materials, well-known for its electro-optic properties but it is notoriously difficult to fabricate high-quality devices on a small scale using lithium niobate, an obstacle that has so far ruled out practical integrated, on-chip applications. Now, researchers have developed a technique to fabricate high-performance optical microstructures using lithium niobate, opening the door to ultra-efficient integrated photonic circuits, quantum photonics, microwave-to-optical conversion and more.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171221133650.htm

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Killing it softly: How seemingly disparate disordered materials fail

Mechanical engineers predict how seemingly disparate disordered materials fail, using ‘softness’ as a criterion.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171220153110.htm

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Valleytronics route towards reversible computer

Researchers have discovered a new route towards novel reversible computer by fusing the concepts of valleytronics with digital information processing.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171221101405.htm

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Styles & Wood sold to furniture firm for £45m

Fit out specialist Styles & Wood is being sold to Central Square Holdings Limited (CSHL) in a deal which values the firm at £45m.

The Styles & Wood board confirmed today is has agreed a share offer from CSHL.

CHSL is a “UK-based business with specialisms in the sourcing, manufacture and management of life-cycle solutions for furniture, fixtures and equipment, through its existing equity interest in Southerns Group.”

The announcement added: “Aligning with CSHL will help to reinforce Styles & Wood’s client base, establishing a strong and predictable source of accessible business opportunities.

“The expanded group will also have a wide range of major corporate and public sector customers.”

Tony Lenehan, CEO of Styles&Wood, said: “In recent years, Styles & Wood has made significant progress with its diversification strategy, driving strong organic growth supplemented by value accretive acquisitions that have broadened the Group’s service line capabilities.

“We are confident that CSHL, with its commitment to the creation of a best in class offer within the property services market, is the right partner to take Styles & Wood to the next chapter of its growth story and we are excited about the future.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/21/styles-wood-sold-to-furniture-firm-for-45m/

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Worker injured after first floor of new house collapses

A construction company has been fined after a worker suffered serious injuries when the first floor of the building he was standing on collapsed underneath him.

Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard how Huntsmere Projects Limited was the principal contractor for the construction of a new house in Alderley Edge.

A subcontractor had installed the first floor but a gap left between the concrete beams on the landing was not identified by the Huntsmere site manager nor the contractor’s supervisor.

On the 22 April 2014, a 47-year-old worker fell approximately 3.5 metres when the concrete block beneath his feet gave way and he fell between two concrete beams, suffering serious multiple fractures.

An HSE investigation found the collapse occurred as a result of some of the installed floor blocks becoming displaced during the work on site because of the gap.

Huntsmere Projects Limited did not take all practicable steps to prevent danger to workers from collapse of a part of the new building.

The investigation found that the company should have ensured that the floor was installed as per the design and failed to identify the gap which allowed the floor blocks to move.

Huntsmere Projects Ltd, of Cheshire, pleaded guilty to safety breaches and was fined £240,000 with £14,439.53 costs.

HSE inspector, Deborah Walker, said after the hearing: “As principal contractor, Huntsmere Projects Limited was responsible for safety on the site including ensuring proper planning and co-ordination on the part of all involved in the project.

“Huntsmere Project Limited also had a duty to monitor and control the other contractors that it had engaged – the collapse could have been avoided had the company fulfilled its duties in its role as principal contractor”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/21/worker-injured-after-first-floor-of-new-house-collapses/

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Balfour Beatty cashes in M25 stake

Balfour Beatty has sold a 12.5% stake in the Connect Plus company which operates the M25 motorway to fund manager Dalmore Capital Limited for £103m.

Balfour said: “The proceeds from this transaction will be used to pay down borrowings in 2018.”

The move means the board’s expectations for group profit before tax and year end net cash in 2017 are higher than those included in the previous trading update earlier this month.

The expected profit on disposal on this transaction at £53m is £37m higher than the market consensus of £16m for Infrastructure Investments profit on disposal in 2017. 

The year end net cash, which was forecast to be in line with prior year, is now expected to be around £103 million higher.

Balfour Beatty has also entered into a series of arrangements with funds managed by Equitix Investment Management Limited and Dalmore under which up to an additional 12.5 percent interest in Connect Plus may be sold by Balfour Beatty at an equivalent price.

Leo Quinn, Group Chief Executive, said:  “This transaction emphasises the ongoing attractiveness of our infrastructure assets and is in line with our declared intent to maximise value for shareholders.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/21/balfour-beatty-cashes-in-m25-stake/

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Using the dark side of excitons for quantum computing

A dark exciton can store information in its spin state, analogous to how a regular, classical bit stores information in its off or on state, but dark excitons do not emit light, making it hard to determine their spins and use them for quantum information processing. In new experiments, however, researchers can read the spin states of dark excitons, and do it more efficiently than before.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171220122029.htm

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Metal printing offers low-cost way to make flexible, stretchable electronics

Researchers have developed a new technique for directly printing metal circuits, creating flexible, stretchable electronics. The technique can use multiple metals and substrates and is compatible with existing manufacturing systems that employ direct printing technologies.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171220122021.htm

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Nearly zero-energy buildings: A difficult challenge for Southern Europe

Most of the countries in Southern Europe are ill-prepared when it comes to implementing nearly zero-energy buildings, and in particular, when addressing the challenge to modernize existing buildings, say researchers who have proposed improvements for the development of future buildings.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171219133323.htm

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Secrets of ancient Egypt may spark better fuel cells for tomorrow's cars

To make modern-day fuel cells less expensive and more powerful, a team of chemical engineers has drawn inspiration from the ancient Egyptian tradition of gilding.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171219220817.htm

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McAleer & Rushe to deliver £30m Glasgow hotel

Northern Ireland based developer and contractor McAleer & Rushe is pressing ahead with plans to deliver a new four-star Maldron Hotel in Glasgow City Centre.

The decision to advance the 250-bed hotel scheme follows a lease deal with the Dalata Hotel Group, Ireland’s largest hotel chain.

The £30m project, subject to planning approval from Glasgow City Council, will be centrally located on Renfrew St, close to the main shopping district on Sauchiehall Street.

Once construction is completed in mid-2020, Dalata will operate the hotel under a 35-year lease, subject to five-year rent reviews linked to the Retail Price Index.

This latest McAleer & Rushe project represents a long-standing partnership with the Dalata Hotel Group in delivering hotels across the UK and Ireland.

It follows the recent announcement that McAleer & Rushe sold its proposed Maldron Hotel now under construction in Newcastle to a major institutional fund, the UK Commercial Property Trust.

Stephen Surphlis, property director at McAleer & Rushe, said: “Working with the Dalata Group we are developing a number of hotel projects across the UK and Ireland and we look forward to partnering with them once again on this new project.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/20/mcaleer-rushe-to-deliver-30m-glasgow-hotel/

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PI insurance premiums soar 1000% for cladding firms

Cladding contractors are facing astronomical rises in professional indemnity insurance in the wake of the Grenfell disaster.

Insurers and brokers are quoting sky-high fees with some upping quotes by up to 1000%.

The sudden change in the insurance market is threatening firms at a fundamental business level with some warning they will be forced to invoke contract clauses that allow for PI not to be offered if commercial rates are no longer reasonable.

If mirrored across the industry, many specialist could be forced to operate without cover leaving the industry exposed when it is under intense Government and public scrutiny.

“Insurance companies are hammering the industry when the new facades being designed and built now, are with non-combustible materials in agreement with developers, main contractors and the specialist sub-contractor meaning the risk is in fact reducing,” said the boss of one cladding specialist.

He told the Enquirer that his firm which turns over £20m-£30m usually paid under £20,000 for PI.

“We are now getting quotes ranging from £215,000 to £240,000. It’s utterly ridiculous.

“Then we are told claims arising from combustibility of cladding materials are now expressly excluded, including historic projects.

“And we have never paid out a claim on our PI”

He added: “We are now considering increasing our excess from £200,000 to £500,000 or more in an effort to mitigate the increased cost.”

Another £20m turnover firm said it was experiencing similar problems with PI renewal post-Grenfell.

He said: “The indications are not good going forward as brokers and insurers alike are advising that PI will only become more expensive in the coming years, that’s if they will offer it to companies that are involved in our industry.

“Our premium was £14k before but the best offer we have to date is £42k for £10m PI. We are looking to significantly reduce our excess and are being told we may end up being forced to pay closer to £100k.

Another specialist contacted by the Enquirer said: “We have heard about crazy quotes coming back. We don’t renew until the spring, but rest assured if quotes come back at the levels we are hearing we will be invoking the clause in all previous collateral warranties which states “ always providing such insurance is available in the market a commercially reasonable rates”.

 

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/20/cladding-firm-pi-insurance-premiums-soar-1000/

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£600m London Camden Goods Yard scheme approved

Masterplans have been approved for a near 600-home mixed-use scheme next to London’s famous Camden Market on Chalk Farm Road.

The scheme is being brought forward by Barratt London in joint venture with land owner Morrisons supermarket and will see the homes delivered across eight buildings alongside 300,000 sq ft of shopping space and a small amount of office space for business start-ups.

Allies and Morrison is the overall masterplan architect and designer of five of the eight blocks, with the remaining three blocks by Piercy & Company and Niall McLaughlin Architects.

The existing Morrisons supermarket and petrol filling station on the site will be demolished and replaced as part of the 3.3ha redevelopment plan.

The whole of the supermarket site will be heated by a communal heating system, with the main gas-fired heating
plant located in a dedicated Energy Centre located in the undercroft of Block A.

Block B, designed by Allies and Morrison, will contain a new supermarket at its base

Block C is primarily a residential building and accommodates the residents’ gym on the ground floor

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/20/600m-london-camden-goods-yard-scheme-approved/

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Top Ten best read stories of 2017

The Enquirer will be putting out its last daily newsletter of the year today as the industry winds-down for its traditional Christmas break.

The website will be updated with any major breaking stories during the holiday season with the full daily news service returning on January 2.

It has been another busy news year for construction as the Enquirer keeps the industry up to date with what is really going on.

Our most popular stories in 2017

Number of times they were read

Subbies under attack from new breed of aggressive QS– 39,411 page views

Winners revealed for £6.6bn HS2 Phase One– 32,599 page views

Crossrail in chaos as M&E work ripped out – 31,539 page views

UK cladding giant Lakesmere in administration – 31,354 page views

Mace to replace Skanska at Battersea Power Station – 28,491 page views

Project manager found guilty of manslaughter – 28, 422 page views

Construction is “heading for disaster” warn specialists – 26,361 page views

Carillion profit warning unearths £845m contract black hole– 26,317 page views

Twenty London high-rises with Grenfell cladding system– 25,165 page views

London’s largest crane rises above Earls Court – 24,889 page views

The Enquirer enjoyed another year of growth as busy professionals turn to us for a fast and insightful news fix.

Our daily newsletter now has more than 49,000 subscribers.

Google Analytics show the Enquirer enjoyed 17.5 million page views this year from more than 2.5 million users – numbers which dwarf any of our traditional construction media rivals.

Our growing band of advertisers enjoy industry leading response rates and all the details about booking a campaign for 2018 can be found here

The Enquirer awards are now a must-attend industry event while our recently launched Suppliers and Buyers Directory is attracting firms across the supply chain.

We’d like to wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and here’s to a prosperous New Year after a well deserved break.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/20/top-ten-best-read-stories-of-2017/

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Bouygues wins £12m Keele Uni innovation hub

Bouygues UK has won the job to build a smart innovation hub for Keele University with a bid just below £12m.

The firm was up against Bardsley, Wates and G F Tomlinson for the three-storey building bringing together a university management school and incubation space for new and developing businesses.

The Hub will also create an environment that enables ‘open innovation’ by encouraging sharing of ideas, knowledge and expertise between businesses, academic researchers, the public sector and consumers.

The 47,000 sq ft building designed by architects BDP will be located at the entrance to Keele University as part of the Science and Innovation Park.

Professor Trevor McMillan, Keele University Vice-Chancellor, said: “This is a big step in our capacity to support our local economy, local businesses and local community by enabling closer interaction between the businesses and various parts of the University, in particular the Management School which will be housed in the same building.”

The creation of the Smart Innovation Hub will form part of the New Keele Deal – a plan for £70m of investment by Keele University, Staffordshire County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust and the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership to exploit the potential of Keele University’s research and facilities.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/20/bouygues-wins-12m-keele-uni-innovation-hub/

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Kier fined £1.8m after worker killed on road repair job

Kier and a road building subcontractor have been fined after a worker was fatally struck on a highways repair job near Lidgate in Suffolk.

Ipswich Magistrates’ Court heard that Kier Integrated Services Ltd was the principal contractor for the roadworks and Sean Hegarty Ltd was the subcontractor on surface repairs to the B1063 for Suffolk County Council.

On 13 May 2014, workers from Sean Hegarty Ltd were using a road planer to remove the old tar from the south bound side of the road, while the north bound side had traffic lights to control the direction of the traffic.

During this operation, the driver of the company’s flatbed lorry observed Aiden Gallagher lying in the road to the offside rear of his vehicle, which had been reversing slowing behind the road planer’s conveyor belt to collect the debris the planer scraped from the road surface.

The man was taken to hospital, but died of his extensive injuries.

The HSE prosecuted Kier Integrated Services Ltd and Sean Hegarty Ltd after an investigation found the companies failed to ensure that the operation of the road planer was carried out in such a manner to ensure vehicles and pedestrians could move safely around the roadworks.

Kier Integrated Services Ltd of Bedfordshire pleaded guilty to safety breaches abd was fined £1.8m and ordered to pay £12,405 in costs.

Sean Hegarty Ltd of Felixstowe also pleaded guilty and was fined £75,000 and ordered to pay £12,405 in costs.

A Kier statement said: “We acknowledge and accept the sentencing decision of the Court and wish to convey our sincerest sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of Aiden Gallagher.

“Operating a safe and sustainable business is Kier’s number one priority and we regret that on this occasion our high standards were not met.

“We work collaboratively with our supply chain to strive for continual improvement in safety standards and to develop new approaches to safe working.”

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector David King said: “The planning of roadworks needs to start by considering the design, and how road workers and members of the public will be protected from moving vehicles, this could mean road closures, reducing speed limits or other measures.

“Whatever the controls in place, those in the area need to have sufficient space, barriers and controls to ensure the risks to them are minimised.

“In this instance the only control measures in place were cones along the centre of the road, and traffic was allowed to pass at 60mph, close to the workers who were not provided with a safety zone given the lack of space.

“Had adequate controls and a safe system of work been in place this terrible incident could have been prevented.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/19/kier-fined-1-8m-after-worker-killed-on-road-repair-job/

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New type of quantum material

Physicists searching for an explanation for high-temperature superconductivity were surprised when their theoretical model pointed to the existence of a never-before-seen material in a different realm of physics – that of topological quantum materials.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171219111958.htm

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Quantum trick blocks background 'chatter' in sensing devices

A new protocol has solved a common problem in quantum sensing devices, which should enable a new generation of ultra-sensitive sensors with application in medical imaging and defense.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171219091317.htm

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Using DNA strands to design new polymer materials

Researchers have chemically imprinted polymer particles with DNA strands – a technique that could lead to new materials for applications ranging from biomedicine to the promising field of ‘soft robotics.’

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171219133626.htm

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BAM wins £60m North West schools hat-trick

Salford’s BAM Construction office has secured two school projects to the south of Manchester and is in line for a third in Tameside under an agreement with the Education and Skills Funding Agency and the multi-academy Laurus Trust.

The firm has just started work on the first contract consisting of building Cheadle Hulme primary school and an adjacent secondary school, Laurus Cheadle Hulme.

BAM is also developing the design for Didsbury High School, which will be a new high school and sixth form for 1,350 students.

If planning, which is due to be lodged shortly, is successful, work will start on site around May next year, with the new school due to open in September 2019.

A further school, Laurus Ryecroft based in Tameside, forms part of the batch with Laurus Didsbury, encompassing a 1,350 place secondary school and sixth form.

The ESFA is currently working with BAM to develop the initial proposals. BAM has partnered the same design team as for Laurus Didsbury. This includes architect is Pozzoni and Ramboll on building services design. Mace is providing technical advice for both the schemes.

All schools together are expected to be worth around £60m, subject to finalising contracts on the two projects in design.

Ian Fleming, Regional Director for BAM Construction, said: “Education is a key market for BAM. Our track record is excellent, and our highly collaborative approach works well for schools.

“It is also a sign of great trust that the ESFA and Laurus Trust felt able to appoint us for both these schemes, showing that we have started to build the kind of understanding and confidence that drives a successful construction partnership.”

BAM has just been appointed to both of the high value lots for the new ESFA national education framework running from 2017 to 2021.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/19/bam-wins-60m-north-west-schools-hat-trick/

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New molecular printing technology could recreate complex chemical environments that resemble the human body

New patterning technology which could open opportunities to recreate complex biological environments has been developed.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171219093411.htm

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Scientists make research 'jelly' grow more like biological tissues

Scientists have found a way to direct the growth of hydrogel, a jelly-like substance, to mimic plant or animal tissue structure and shapes. The team’s findings suggest new applications in areas such as tissue engineering and soft robotics where hydrogel is commonly used.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171219092852.htm

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Steering electrical current with spinning light

Light can generate an electrical current in semiconductor materials. This is how solar cells generate electricity from sunlight and how smart phone cameras can take photographs. To collect the generated electrical current, called photocurrent, an electric voltage is needed to force the current to flow in only one direction.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171219091334.htm

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Process to transition two-layer graphene into diamond-hard material on impact discovered

Scientists worked to theorize and test how two layers of graphene – each one-atom thick – could be made to transform into a diamond-like material upon impact at room temperature.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171218120042.htm

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Getting under graphite’s skin: method of layering metals with 2D material may lead to new properties

Scientists have discovered a new process to sheathe metal under a single layer of graphite which may lead to new and better-controlled properties for these types of materials.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171217073937.htm

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Key trade bodies unite to call for retention reform

Twenty three of the country’s key trade bodies have united to call for the Government to press ahead with reforming the hated retention system.

They are calling for a simple but key reform to see retentions held in a statutory deposit scheme rather than being held in clients or main contractors bank accounts.

This trust account system is being used in Australia and prevents the temptation for clients to use their supply chain’s cash.
The trade groups represent all the key specialist trade bodies from demolition, to steelwork, building services and fit-out.

Around £10.5bn is being held in retentions at anyone time, choking company investment in jobs and growth.

An estimated £7.8bn in owed retentions has gone unpaid in the construction sector over the last three years, and in the same period £700m was lost due to upstream insolvencies.

The government is consulting industry on retentions. But many specialist trade bodies that have been fighting against retentions for decades fear the Government will once again kick the issue into the long grass as Brexit consumes Parliamentary time.

In a statement the bodies says: “Reforming retentions would be a good way for the Government to show it is truly standing up for the interests of small and medium-sized businesses, and is willing to put them at the forefront of plans for an industrial strategy and the expansion of the UK economy. “

“Poor payment practices in construction affect productivity, innovation and investment, holding back the sector’s overall capacity to do business and invest in the workforce.

“With construction a cornerstone of enterprise in the United Kingdom and fundamental to enhancing the country’s built environment, the problem of retentions cannot go on, but needs tackling as a priority.”

Signatories to call for Government retention reform

•    ECA, electrotechnical and engineering services trade body – Paul Reeve, Director of Business

•    Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) – Rob Driscoll, Director of Legal & Commercial

•    SEC Group – Trevor Hursthouse OBE, Chairman

•    British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA) – Sarah McCann-Bartlett, Director General

•    Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA) – Nick Mellor, Managing Director

•    SELECT – Alan Wilson, Director of Communications

•    National Federation of Builders – Richard Beresford, Chief Executive

•    Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC) – John Thompson, CEO

•    Scottish & Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation (SNIPEF) – Fiona Hodgson, Chief Executive

•    Contract Flooring Association – Richard Catt, CEO

•    Structural Timber Association – Andrew Carpenter, Chief Executive

•    British Blind and Shutter Association – Andrew Chalk, Director of Operations

•    Confederation of Construction Specialists – Gerald Kelly, General Manager

•    Federation of Traditional Metal Roofing Contractors (FTMRC) – Nigel Johnston, General Manager

•    Lead Contractors Association – Nigel Johnston, General Manager

•    National Association of Shopfitters – Robert Hudson, Director

•    National Federation of Demolition Contractors – Howard Button, CEO

•    Chartered Association of Building Engineers – Tony Ginda, Membership Development Manager

•    Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA) – Russell Beattie, Chief Executive

•    Scaffolding Association – Robert Candy, Founder

•    Stone Federation Great Britain – Jane Buxey, Chief Executive

•    Glass & Glazing Federation – Phil Pluck, Group Chief Executive

•    Finishes & Interiors Sector (FIS) – David Frise, CEO

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/19/key-trade-bodies-unite-to-call-for-retention-reform/

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Particle size matters for porous building blocks

Porous particles of calcium and silicate show potential as building blocks for a host of applications. A laboratory tested calcium-silicate particles to see how they hold up under pressure and found that size influenced the toughness of individual particles but not assemblies.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171218154850.htm

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estminster Abbey windows help shine light on glass myth

Gazing through the stained-glass windows of London’s Westminster Abbey can evoke memories as diverse and vivid as the windows themselves, but to John Mauro, glass researcher, the windows sparked a quest to better understand the science behind the iconic portals to history.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171218131215.htm

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'Quantum material' has shark-like ability to detect small electrical signals

A ‘quantum material’ that mimics a shark’s ability to detect the minute electric fields of small prey has been shown to perform well in ocean-like conditions, with potential applications from defense to marine biology.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171218151758.htm

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Breakthrough sensor for photography, life sciences, security

Engineers have produced a new imaging technology that may revolutionize medical and life sciences research, security, photography, cinematography and other applications that rely on high-quality, low-light imaging.

from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/12/171218090942.htm

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Plastic Surgeon renews repair deal with Kier

Repair specialist Plastic Surgeon has renewed its contract with Kier Group.

The firms have worked together for the last 12 years on a variety of projects across the UK.

Plastic Surgeon has assisted Kier in the handovers of hundreds of projects during that period working on cosmetic surface damage repairs to provide the final cosmetic touches ahead of project completion.

The firms have now signed a two-year extension to their current deal to the autumn of 2019.

Dave Craig, National Account Manager at Plastic Surgeon, said: “This serves to demonstrate Kier Group’s satisfaction with our services and further strengthens our relationship.

“Kier Group has been a big advocate of our capabilities, and this helps to acknowledge both the need and the benefits that our services bring, something that some sections of the construction industry are still wary of embracing despite the obvious advantages.”

Paul Coates of Kier Group said: “We’re pleased to extend our contract with Plastic Surgeon for an additional two years.

“Our companies have the same goal of being environmentally sustainable, and the landfill savings we make through Plastic Surgeon are one of the key reasons we use its service.”

Plastic Surgeon has invested in developing new repair techniques and as a result it offers repair solutions for the widest possible selection of building substrates including masonry, metal, glass, ceramics and plastics.

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/18/plastic-surgeon-renews-repair-deal-with-kier/

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Legal & General buys third major housing site

Legal & General has acquired a 78-acre site in Shrivenham, Oxfordshire with outline planning for 515 new homes.

It is the third major site being brought forward by the firm’s house building arm Legal & General Homes bringing its housing pipeline to over 3,000 new homes.

Construction for the first phase of new homes is due to start at the end of next year.

Around 180 homes will be affordable and Legal & General will look to use modular construction from its factory in Leeds for this element of the site.

Legal & General Homes already has two large consented schemes in Berkshire.

It is now on site building 1,000 new homes on a 250 acre site in Crowthorne and will also begin on site on 1,500 new homes at the 272 acre site in Finchampstead at the end of this year.

James Lidgate, CEO of Legal & General Homes, said:  “As well as addressing the chronic shortfall of housing in the UK, Legal & General Homes is looking to regenerate the UK’s landscape for the better and build vibrant communities where people want to live, such as this sought after location in Oxfordshire.

“Using Legal & General’s long term capital, we are seeking to create a legacy that we are proud of.

“To do this, we want to challenge public perceptions of new homes by delivering a product that surpasses buildings of the past in terms of quality, efficiency and comfort, while ensuring the homes are carefully integrated into the community, providing much enhanced public realm, facilities and infrastructure.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/18/legal-general-buys-third-major-housing-site/

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Grenfell review calls for construction “culture change”

Construction is being ordered to implement a “universal shift in culture” following the Grenfell fire.

A review of building regulations and fire safety in the wake of the tragedy has found the current system is not fit for purpose to protect tower blocks.

Review lead Dame Judith Hackitt has published an interim report which slams the current rules and regulations covering new building standards.

She said: “I have found that the regulatory system for safely designing, constructing and managing buildings is not fit for purpose.

“The current system is highly complex and there is confusion about the roles and responsibilities at each stage. In many areas there is a lack of competence and accreditation.

“While this does not mean all buildings are unsafe, it does mean we need to build a more effective system for the future.

“That is why I am today calling for the construction industry, building owners, regulators and government to come together to identify how to overcome these shortcomings together.”

Dame Judith also admitted she was “shocked” by anecdotal evidence about some construction practices and vowed to weed out firms who try to cut corners.

She said: “There is plenty of good practice but it is not difficult to see how those who are inclined to take shortcuts can do so.

“Change control and quality assurance are poor throughout the process. What is initially designed is not what is being built, and quality assurance of materials and people is seriously lacking.

“I have been shocked by some of the practices I have heard about and I am convinced of the need for a new intelligent system of regulation and enforcement for high-rise and complex buildings which will encourage everyone to do the right thing and will hold to account those who try to cut corners.”

A summit involving government and representatives from the building industry will take place in the New Year and a final report will be published in spring 2018.

To read the full interim report click here

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/18/grenfell-review-calls-for-construction-culture-change/

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Heathrow drops new airport terminal to save £2.5bn

Heathrow Airport has unveiled plans to slash £2.5bn from the third runway expansion plan but dropping plans for a new terminal.

The proposals now costed at £14bn will be released in detail as part of Heathrow’s public planning consultation in January.

Cut0price options being floated include dropping plans for a new terminal in favour of expanding existing passenger facilities at Terminal 2 and Terminal 5.

The airport owners will also phase construction to incrementally increasing terminal capacity in blocks to better match growing demand.

Heathrow’s Executive Director Expansion Emma Gilthorpe said: “The Secretary of State set us the challenge to deliver an expanded airport for Britain with passenger charges staying close to current levels.

“We have now identified potential savings of £2.5bn and are increasingly confident we can meet the affordability challenge.

“We are looking forward to presenting detailed options on how to do it in our consultation in January, and while we will continue to work to reduce the cost of expansion, we will not compromise on our local commitments.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/18/heathrow-drops-new-airport-terminal-to-save-2-5bn/

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Plan for £275m Birmingham rental flats scheme

Manchester property group MCR has submitted plans to build a £275m build-to-rent flats scheme in Birmingham’s Southside district.

It will demolish vacant building Monaco House on Bristol Street to make way for more than 1,000 homes in a complex featuring two towers rising to 26 and 29 floors.

The landmark New Monaco urban village, designed by architect Leach Rhodes Walker, will also include groundfloor shops, a gym, cafe and bars.

Demolition contractor Fox Brothers has started tearing down the existing building and, subject to planning, MCR aims to start building work at the end of next year. It is estimated the project will take around five years, completing in 2023.

Chris Taylor, fund manager at MCR Property Group, said: “We’re incredibly proud of the final plans for New Monaco.

“Everything has been designed to enhance the vacant land and deliver well-designed, high-quality, affordable housing for Birmingham residents and enrich the city centre for generations to come.”

MCR Property Group is working with planning consultant, Pegasus Group.

David Onions, director at Pegasus Group, said: “Monaco House has been an unattractive part of Bristol Street for many years and this major new development will result in a dramatic improvement to this part of the city centre, aiding significant revitalisation of Birmingham’s Southside area and meeting the city’s growing housing needs.”

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/18/plan-for-275m-birmingham-rental-flats-scheme/

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Developer chosen for £20m Leeds mixed use scheme

Town Centre Securities has been selected by Leeds City Council to develop a major new scheme on George Street.

The total development value is £20m and work on site is due to start in the first quarter of 2019 with completion in 2020.

The development will be undertaken as a partnership between TCS and Leeds City Council, with the Council acquiring a 50% ownership of the completed development.

The development will consist of a single building containing 117 separate aparthotel units as well as nine ground floor units for a range of commercial uses, including retailing, cafés and restaurants, bars or takeaways.

Edward Ziff, Chairman and Chief executive at Town Centre Securities said: “Leeds has seen an influx of visitors and businesses and we are delighted to have secured this scheme to deliver additional accommodation capacity in this sought-after location.

“We are delighted to be working with Leeds City Council and apart hotel operators and are confident this scheme will further enhance the regeneration of this area of Leeds.  

 “Our development programme, which focuses on both creating and improving investment properties from within our portfolio, and seeking new opportunities such as this one, offers considerable potential for value creation.

“The programme continues to progress well and is expected to drive increases in rental income and capital value in our portfolio.“

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/18/developer-chosen-for-20m-leeds-mixed-use-scheme/

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Morgan Sindall takes £15m Silicon Roundabout revamp

Transport for London has signed a £15m deal with Morgan Sindall to transform Old Street Roundabout on the northern fringe of the City.

The two-stage design and build contract is the first scheme to be commissioned under TfL’s Civils Project Framework, which supports a £4bn roads modernisation programme in the Capital, delivering the enhancement and refurbishment of tunnels, bridges and other structures.

Costain and Skanksa are the other contractors making up the three-strong panel for TfL.

The Old Street Roundabout island will be removed to form a new peninsula-style junction, reintroducing two-way traffic movements and converting the existing roundabout into an open and accessible public space.

Morgan Sindall, supported by design partners WSP, has just started detailed design, with works planned to start on site from Autumn 2018.

Paul Gott, managing director of Highways at Morgan Sindall, said: “We are delighted to be awarded the first project under TfL’s Civils Projects Framework. This scheme calls upon a wide variety of expertise, interfacing with the TfL strategic road network and London Underground’s Old St Station entrance.

“We are looking forward to starting work on this transformational scheme, and our strong track record of similar projects means we are well placed to deliver it.”

The radical redesign of Old Street roundabout will improve air quality and pedestrian and cyclist routes

from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/12/18/morgan-sindall-takes-15m-silicon-roundabout-revamp/

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