Adding photoacid to a special kind of melted polymeric crystal allows better and switchable proton conductivity. This could lead to new materials for memory, supercapacitor and transistor technologies.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170429212505.htm
Cellulose is produced from pine and fir and can be a future environment-friendly textile fiber, according to a study of cellulose production.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170427110920.htm
A new use for the ubiquitous PowerPoint slide has now been discovered: Producing self-folding three-dimensional origami structures from photocurable liquid polymers.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170429095038.htm
A fast, nondestructive optical method for analyzing defects in two-dimensional materials has been developed, with applications in electronics, sensing, early cancer diagnosis and water desalination.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170428145621.htm
Using a specialized electron microscope outfitted with a pattern generator, scientists turned an imaging instrument into a lithography tool that could be used to create and study materials with new properties.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170428113539.htm
The gelatinous jaw of a sea worm, which becomes hard or flexible depending on the environment around it, has inspired researchers to develop a new material that can be applied to soft robotics. Despite having the texture of a gel, this compound is endowed with great mechanical resistance and consistency, and is able to adapt to changing environments.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170428102057.htm
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has written to supporters of the £200m Garden Bridge project confirming he will not provide the financial guarantees needed for construction to start
Khan said that “the continuation of the project will expose the London taxpayer to additional financial risk, both with regard to the bridge’s construction and its operation and maintenance.”
The scheme has been on life-support for some time and the latest move looks to kill-off any chances of it being built.
Khan said: “Under the previous Mayor, a considerable amount of London taxpayers’ money has already been spent on the Garden Bridge.
“I have always been clear that not a penny more of taxpayers’ money should be allocated to the project.”Having assessed all the information available to me including the findings of Dame Margaret Hodge’s independent review, my view is that providing Mayoral guarantees will expose the London taxpayer to too much additional financial risk.
“With planning permission due to expire this year, many outstanding issues remain, including spiralling construction costs and doubts around funding the maintenance of the bridge.
“The funding gap is now at over £70m and it appears unlikely that the Trust will succeed in raising the private funds required for the project.
“I am simply not prepared to risk a situation where the taxpayer has to step in and contribute significant additional amounts to ensure the project is completed.”
Procurement specialist Scape has officially started the bid race for its new central England small works framework.
The four-year regional framework will be used for projects in the Midlands and East of England and is estimated to be worth £1.1bn-£1.4bn.
It will replace the empa framework and previous Smarte East panels of contractors
John Simons, Strategic Procurement Manager, said that in order to secure the best possible outcome for clients, Scape would seek to secure construction services from a strong and diverse mix of contractors.
The two regions are being split into three value lots to attract smaller firms to bid alongside bigger contractors.
Midlands North: Projects up to £500,000 (total spend £60m-£90m); £350,000-£2m (total spend £140m-£160m)
Midlands South: Projects £350,000-£2m (total spend £40-£60m); £350,000-£2m (toral spend £80m-£100m)
Midlands (North/South): Projects £1m-£5m (total spend £250m-£300m)
East of England North: Projects up to £500,000 (total spend £60m-£90m); £350,000-£2m (total spend £140m-£160m)
East of England South: Projects up to £500,000 (total spend £60m-£90m); £350,000-£2m (total spend £140m-£160m)
East of England (North/South): Projects £1m-£5m (total spend £250m-£300m)
Scape is aiming to appoint a single contractor for each lot.
Hill has become the country’s third largest private house builder as turnover surged to £367m last year.
The 20% rise in revenue contributes to a period of rapid growth which has seen the family run business double its sales volume since 2012.
Andy Hill, group chief executive said Hill was firmly on track to meet its 2020 strategy of building more than 2,500 homes a year.
The house builder also intends to grow turnover to £850m with profits approaching £100m.
He said: “This year has been truly record-breaking and I am proud of the work we have completed together.”
“Hill has seen profits rise in 2016 from £30.7m to £37.2m enabling ever-higher investment in people and skills.”
The firm’s pipeline of work also jumped by over a quarter to £1.4bn, amounting to around 3,200 homes as some substantial developments come on stream.
These include Hill’s sites at Cambridge University’s North West Cambridge, and a large project in Barton Park, Oxford, delivered in partnership with Oxford City Council and Grosvenor.
The house builder is also entering into further joint ventures with housing associations – earlier this year Hill signed its largest joint venture deal to date with Peabody to develop two sites in East London, at Fish Island Village and Lea Bridge Road, with combined development values of £350m.
The house builder’s partnerships arm contributed £227m to group turnover, up 28% on 2016. Pre-tax profit at the arm rose from £890,000 to £4.2m in 2016.
Specialist property developments like student accommodation and PRS towers are set to attract £15bn in investment this year.
The schemes are proving increasingly popular among investors looking for a source of long-term secure income.
Research by Knight Frank has now revealed the flow of funding into specialist property will increase to £15bn this year.
Shaun Roy, Head of Specialist property at Knight Frank said: “The growing appetite for long-term secure investments with good covenants amid the current uncertainty has intensified, which is driving the demand for specialist property.
“Investors now regard the granularity of the income derived within the specialist sectors as a positive rather than a threat, and a facet that improves its durability of income.
“The outlook for the coming year is positive and increased liquidity should draw particular attention to specialist assets.”
Income returns within the sector reached 5.7% in 2016 – exceeding the traditional commercial markets.
The main five specialist sectors are:
Healthcare: £6.3bn has been invested into Healthcare property over the last decade, 81% of the total investment has occurred over the last five years
Hotels: £3.4bn has been invested into Hotel assets, the most transacted asset type amongst the specialist sectors in 2016
Automotive: The sector experienced the highest recorded investment in 2016 at £0.8bn, and is the only specialist sector to have seen volumes rise on an annual basis
Student Property: £3.1bn was transacted in Student Property in 2016 – the second highest recorded investment into the sector
PRS: £2.8bn was invested into the Private Rented Sector in 2016.
The clock is ticking for companies to enter the Construction Enquirer Awards and highlight how they conduct themselves in the right way.
Main contractors, specialists, clients and suppliers have the chance to be voted Top Ten companies to work for and do business with.
The awards are voted for by the industry and winners will be chosen by staff and suppliers who like the way you operate.
The deadline for entries is June 12.
The entry process is quick and simple and companies can put themselves forward or anyone can nominate a firm that has impressed them during the year.
Sponsors are lining-up to have their names associated with construction’s newest and most innovative awards.
Torsion Group, JLT Specialty Ltd and Hadley Group are already on board as sponsors as a host of other firms look to join them.
The inaugural awards last year were a huge success as the industry voted for its favourite firms.
The massive readership and reach of the Enquirer saw more than 11,000 votes cast during the awards process.
One 2016 winner said: “These awards really mean something because they are voted for by your own staff and suppliers.”
Categories in this year’s awards will showcase the best firms to work for and the best companies to work with.
Main contractors, specialists, suppliers and clients can all win awards for being great firms to do business with as voted for by their supply chains.
Major contractors and specialists can also compete to be named best firms to work for as voted for by their staff.
So if you love where you work, enjoy doing business with a main contractor or have seen a subcontractor, consultant or supplier go that extra mile we want to hear from you.
Our Top Ten winners will be announced in the summer with the awards evening to be held on October 10 where everyone will receive their prizes and the firm with the highest number of votes in each category will also be revealed.
The awards night will again be held alongside UK Construction Week in Birmingham at the Vox venue.
For more details on how to enter the awards plus ticket details and sponsorship opportunities please click here
After a fairly dire week of FA Cup predictions Betting Spy should be looking forward.
But instead let’s look back to last August and our tips for the title.
Now the cynical among you might be thinking this is just a ruse to take everyone’s mind of a recent run of form which has been challenging to say the least.
You’d be right of course but Betting Spy hasn’t had too many trumpets to blow this season so let’s at least have a little puff on this one.
It’s all here in black and white as Chelsea were our choice for the league at 13/2
Blowing the title now would surely make Antonio Conte’s hair plugs drop out but I’m confident the luxuriously coiffured Italian will be celebrating with his side next month.
So hopefully brave followers of this column will have a nice pay-day coming their way.
And let’s try and top that up with a win this weekend.
It’s always tricky this time of this season guessing who is up for matches as thoughts of a nice summer break loom large.
But I’ve picked a little favourites’ treble which might just pay off.
I like the look of Stoke to beat West Ham, Spurs to get the better of Arsenal and Crystal Palace to beat Burnley.
The treble pays 13/2 and might just see you double your Chelsea winnings in one weekend.
Betting Spy has joined forces with Paddy Power to offer all readers a free bet when they open an account. Just click on the link below to visit construction’s favourite bookmaker to find out all the latest prices and follow the easy steps to setting-up an online, telephone or mobile account
Running total of all bets to a £10 stake for 2016/17 season: £-35.00
Mounting anti-terrorism security procedures and the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) screening processes have launched numerous debates about the protection of civil liberties and equal treatment of passengers. A new study has successfully quantified how much potential air passengers value equal protection when measured against sacrifices in safety, cost, wait time, and convenience.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170427111334.htm
In ‘Minority Report,’ the protagonist uses gloves that give him the power of virtual manipulation. The light seems to allow him to control the screen as if it were a touchscreen, but he’s touching nothing but air. That technology is still science fiction, but a new study may bring it closer to reality. Researchers report that they have discovered the photodielectric effect, which could lead to laser-controlled touch displays.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170427112208.htm
Scientists have combined 3-D-printing with electroplating to easily produce high-quality metal electrodes that can be used as a molecular beam-splitter.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170427091728.htm
Explorers planning to settle on Mars might be able to turn the planet’s soil into bricks without needing to use an oven or additional ingredients. Instead, they would need to apply pressure to compact the soil–the equivalent of a blow from a hammer.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170427091723.htm
Reading Football Club’s property arm has got the green light to build a major convention centre, 250-bed hotel and ice rink on land next to its stadium.
The Royal Elm Park plan will develop a 15ha parcel of land used for car parking and training. These plans also include 630 homes across a dozen blocks, a large multi-storey car park, large public square and park.
Subject to completing the final planning requirements, construction will start early next year, with final completion in 2023.
Peter Brett Associates is acting as development consultant, with Arup providing technical services and Malasian architect NRY Architects working on the design of the convention centre.
Royals chief executive Nigel Howe said: “This is an exciting proposal for both for Reading Football Club and the town itself.
“When we built Madejski Stadium in 1998, to give the club a sustainable level of income we built a small conference centre and then a hotel.
“Both have proved amazingly successful and we saw an opportunity for a new convention centre in the south of England situated adjacent to the stadium.
“With the support we need from local government, we have grasped the opportunity to put forward a proposal – with the aim of getting the local community more and more involved in Reading Football Club and the Madejski Stadium complex, whilst simultaneously helping the club to become more financially sustainable in the future. ”
Existing Park Royal site with the Dome football training building that will be demolished
Manchester-based social housing specialist Harbur Construction has sunk into administration.
The firm founded just seven years ago turned over £28m last year and employed around 2o staff out of its Manchester Business Park base near the city airport.
Administrators from Leonard Curtis confirmed staff had been now laid off.
Harbur specialised in buying land obtaining planning permission for schemes and then constructing these schemes in conjunction with the relevant residential provider.
The firm has built up skills in remediating brownfield sites in order to deliver affordable housing and commercial developments.
Harbur Construction was on site building a £2.9m 30 apartment scheme at Back Church street in Bolton and was working on several schemes for TAC Development including a £6m housing job of 70-plus units on the site of the Notre Dame School in Everton.
Harbur was also working on a £4.3m scheme for developer First Step at Blossom Street in Manchester’s Ancoat’s district
The pace of house building is finally showing signs of cranking up a gear with new home registration for the first quarter of 2017 reaching a 10-year high.
Nearly 42,500 new homes were registered in the UK by NHBC in the first three months of the year.
This represent a 17% jump on last year with both private and social housing showing strong growth.
Private sector homes were up 10% at 31,197 units, while affordable home registration jumped 40% to 11,273 new homes compared to last year.
For the first time in seven years all 12 regions across the UK experienced growth in registrations, when compared to the same period 12 months ago.
The North East (+39%), London (+38%) and Eastern (+31%) were among the regions with the most notable growth.
But new home statistics for the financial year to April were more subdued due to the slowdown in London over 2016.
For the year 2016/17 new homes registered rose 4% to 157,898 with new home completions up 5% to 145,282.
NHBC Managing Director Neil Jefferson said: “These figures, with growth across the entire country, are clearly encouraging for the sector, at a time when there is considerable demand for new, high-quality homes.”
Countryside Properties is restructuring the leadership of its key house building and partnerships housing operations.
Former Taylor Wimpey London and South East managing director, Phillip Lyons, is taking over as chief executive of the house building division at Countryside.
Lyons, who brings over 30 years’ industry experience, will join the group executive committee.
Current house building operation chief executive Graham Cherry will now move to the partnerships business following the decision by his younger brother Richard to retire from the business after 35 years.
Graham will run the southern division of the Partnerships arm while still retaining his current seat on the executive committee.
His Partnerships business counterpart in the North, Ian Kelley will also now join the executive committee.
Group Chief Executive, Ian Sutcliffe said: “Richard has played a pivotal role in building Countryside into the business it is today, in particular helping establish Countryside as the leading urban regeneration partner.
“I am also delighted to welcome Phillip Lyons to the company. Securing Phillip’s experience, skills and industry knowledge built over a 30 year career in the sector, positions us well to maintain our strong growth trajectory in Housebuilding. I look forward to working with him over the years to come.”
Richard Cherry will step down on 2 May and assume the role of group new business director until he leaves the company at the end of September.
The number of frontline health and safety inspectors has been slashed by a quarter in the last six years.
Figures obtained by union Unite reveal that since 2010 there has been a 25% reduction in the number of Health and Safety Executive inspectors.
Back in 2010 there were 1,311 frontline inspectors by the end of last year this had fallen to just 980.
Unite has released the figures obtained from a Freedom of Information request just before International Workers’ Memorial Day to highlight the increasing lack of enforcement and safety protection in the workplace.
The cut in inspectors follows revelations earlier this week, also acquired via an FOI that it takes three years four months on average for any sentence to be handed down after a workplace fatality.
Unite acting general secretary Gail Cartmail, said: “HSE inspectors play a vital role in keeping workers safe.
“Rogue bosses who are prepared to break safety laws, are only kept in check by the fear of being caught and punished. Fewer inspectors mean more bosses willing to risk workers’ lives to boost profits.”
“In these circumstances it is more important than ever that union safety reps are given the training, support and time to conduct their duties and keep their fellow workers safe.”
Fit-out specialist Styles & Wood is now targeting school refurbishment and Government hub office refits as part of a major expansion plan.
The move on public sector work follows a new strategy to reduce the firm’s reliance on a handful of major clients, while remaining selective about which projects to pursue.
Last year this helped Style & Wood lift underlying profit before tax by 26% to £4.10m. Although delays on major frameworks with existing banking clients saw revenue slip 9% to £105m.
In the last six months, Styles & Wood has acquired Sussex-based digital centre builder Keysource and Dartford mechanical, electrical and environmental consultant GDM Group.
These acquistions are helping to spearhead a move into property consultancy work and FM.
Announcing last annual results, Tony Lenehan, CEO of Styles & Wood Group plc, said: “Our selective approach to new business opportunities and cross-sector diversification continues to benefit the group.
“Additionally, we have made significant progress with our diversification strategy. The acquisitions of Keysource and, post-period The GDM Group, further broaden our service line capabilities and reinforce our differentiated position within our core markets.
“The group goes into 2017 in good shape, with a healthy forward order book, strong balance sheet and an unrelenting focus on delivering a truly integrated property services solution to our customers.”
The firm’s order book for this year is around 29% ahead of prior year, strengthened by the recent acquisitions.
Also, the level and concentration of relevant framework opportunities being pursued by the Group is also significantly ahead of prior year.
He added: “Significant new opportunities are now presenting themselves in the public sector.
“The associated framework pipeline includes the grouping of refurbishment and fit-out for commercial offices, through the Government Hub initiative, and the aggregation of large scale capital expenditure in the Education Funding Agency framework retender, which is planned for later in the year.
“With successful reference projects and a clear understanding of routes to market, the Group is well positioned to address these and other specific targets.”
from Construction Enquirer http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2017/04/27/styles-wood-targets-schools-and-government-hub-refit/
Taylor Wimpey is setting aside £130m to compensate home buyers locked into unfair leasehold contracts.
The historic leases have prompted a storm of complaints after homeowners realised their ground rent charges could double every ten years.
The leases were attached to properties sold between 2007 and 2011 and have been attacked by MPs as the “PPI scandal of the property sector”.
In a trading update today Taylor Wimpey outlined its plans to deal with the problem.
It said: “It is clear from our review that the impact of these doubling rent review clauses is now causing some of our customers understandable concern.
“We acknowledge that the introduction of these doubling clauses was not consistent with our high standards of customer service and we are sorry for the unintended financial consequence and concern that they are causing.
“In line with normal practice the relevant freehold reversions have been sold by the Group to a number of third parties over a number of years.
“For those customers who acquired from, and remain the owner of a Taylor Wimpey leasehold property which is subject to this specific doubling clause, we have already entered into negotiations with the respective owners of the majority of the freeholds to alter the terms of the doubling lease to materially less expensive ground rent review terms, with the Group bearing the financial cost of doing so.
“In the event that we are not able to reach agreement with individual freeholders, we will continue to pursue other avenues to help our customers.
“As a consequence of this decision, the Group will make a gross provision of c.£130 million that will be recorded as an exceptional item in the 2017 first half accounts.”
Chief Executive Peter Redfern added: “Our review of leases with ten year doubling ground rents is now complete and, following conversations with freeholders and lenders, we are today announcing measures which will address our customers‘ concerns in an appropriate and fair manner.
“Whilst there is a financial cost to the Group related to this course of action, we confirm that our dividend targets and land investment programme are not impacted“.
Redfern also shrugged off any fears of a slowdown in sales in the run up to June’s General Election.
He said: “In previous election periods, we have seen a slowdown in the housing market as customers pause before making major financial decisions like buying a home.
“We are optimistic that in 2017, assuming no major policy changes, the upcoming General Election will not disrupt this positive market sentiment.“
Pharmaceutical giant AstraZenaca has seen the cost of its flagship Cambridge headquarters and R & D building project soar from £330m to over £500m.
Skanska is delivering the major building project, which was due to be complete for occupation at the end of last year.
Staff are set to start moving into the new building in late 2018 with the site becoming fully operational by 2019.
Chief Executive Pascal Soriot revealed the cost increase as he visited the site to mark the topping out of the concrete frame and saw-edged roofing sections being fitted.
Pharmaceutical giant marked a major milestone with the ‘topping out’ of its new headquarters in Cambridge this week.
The delay and forecast project budget increases stem from extra investment in technology and equipment in the centre, rather than unrealistic estimates or poor planning.
“We are bringing more capability to the new building than originally planned. This includes increased investment in new technologies and robotics equipment,” a spokesperson for the company said.
The new hub building at the heart of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus will become the company’s largest centre for oncology research, as well as housing scientists focused on cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, respiratory, inflammation and autoimmune diseases and conditions of the central nervous system.
The site will also be home to a joint research centre, which will see Medical Research Council-supported researchers working side-by-side with AstraZeneca’s high throughput screening group.
Researchers have developed a system that can 3-D print the basic structure of an entire building.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170426183028.htm
Lithium-oxygen fuel cells boast energy density levels comparable to fossil fuels and are thus seen as a promising candidate for future transportation-related energy needs. Several roadblocks stand in the way of realizing that vision. An engineering lab has focused on one of those roadblocks – the loss of battery power, also known as capacity fade.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170426153813.htm
Leaders of the CSCS skills card scheme have struck a funding deal to encourage more on the job training for industry apprentices.
The agreement with apprenticeship body CCATF will support its Pathway to Construction scheme.
The scheme financially supports on the job training for young apprentices seeking a work trial or work experience.
Funding of up to £1,000 per student helps local employers with the costs of giving that student up to 10 weeks’ work experience on site towards the end of the first year of their course.
CCATF said many employers who take on an apprentice do not feel able to initially commit to a two or three-year apprenticeship but are more willing to consider a ‘try before you buy’ type offer.
The funding encourages employers to take a student into employment as an apprentice for the second year of their course ensuring that a full framework qualification can be achieved.
CSCS Chief Executive, Graham Wren said: “The agreement we have reached with CCATF to fund work experience for 35 students, simply and effectively underpins our view of the construction sector and its need for more skilled employees.
“With CSCS cards providing proof that individuals working on construction sites have the required training and qualifications for the type of work they carry out, the synergy was clear.
“CSCS’s strategic direction is focused on the achievement of industry recognised qualifications and a fully qualified workforce.
“The excellent work of the CCATF and the PtC scheme was something we as an organisation can relate to.
“We have developed a strong working partnership with the CCATF and we look forward to helping 35 students gain the valuable work experience they require in order to complete their NVQ.”
CCATF Chairman, Martyn Price added: “This agreement with CSCS marks a significant development in highlighting the need for an uplift in skills within the sector.
“It also creates an opportunity for the further development of the PtC initiative that support young talent being able to gain valuable experience with employers.
‘We look forward to working with Graham and his team at CSCS and making the PtC a robust and meaningful way of supporting skills development in the sector.”
A noninvasive ‘spectral fingerprint’ technique using terahertz waves has been developed that reveals the corrosion of concrete-encased steel before it can cause any significant degradation of the structure it supports.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170426153809.htm
In a world-first, researchers have imaged electrons moving in graphene using a quantum probe found only in diamonds. The technique could be used to understand electron behavior and allow researchers to improve the reliability and performance of existing and emerging technologies. These images could reveal the microscopic behavior of currents in quantum computing devices, graphene and other 2-D materials, and be used to develop next generation electronics, energy storage (batteries), flexible displays and bio-chemical sensors.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170426141733.htm
An unexpected magnetic property in a 2-D material has been found by scientists. The new atomically thin, flat magnet could have major implications for a wide range of applications, such as nanoscale memory, spintronic devices, and magnetic sensors, they say.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170426131026.htm
New two-dimensional quantum materials have been created with breakthrough electrical and magnetic attributes that could make them building blocks of future quantum computers and other advanced electronics. The researchers explored the physics behind the 2-D states of novel materials and determined they could push computers to new heights of speed and power.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170426131013.htm
Heathrow bosses are planning to use its £16bn airport expansion project to “revolutionise” the way contractors build major infrastructure.
Heathrow CEO John Holland-Kaye confirmed a major push to support more off-site construction.
And the hunt has now begun for four UK sites to host new off-site logistics hubs which will help deliver expansion plans and drive growth across the country.
The new logistics hubs will pre-assemble components for the expanded airport before transporting them in consolidated loads to Heathrow.
Off-site construction has enjoyed success in the construction of homes but has had a limited role to date supporting major infrastructure projects.
Holland-Kaye said: “We want to use Heathrow expansion to not only upgrade Britain’s infrastructure, but cultivate a new world-leading sector and drive growth across the whole country.
“Boosting off-site construction will help make expansion more affordable and environmentally friendly and give Britain a lasting legacy of expertise that it can sell around the world – helping Britain lead the pack in global construction.”
Heathrow is now inviting communities across Britain to showcase why their area is suitable to host one of the new logistics hubs.
Suitable locations will have good connectivity, access to a relevant supply chain and strong local skills.
Interested applicants should visit https://procurement.heathrow.com to register their interest and complete the Expression of Interest questionnaire before 31st July 2017.
A list of potential sites is expected to be announced later this year.
Forrest has landed the deal to build twin residential towers for developer Elliott Group in Manchester.
The deal to deliver the 14 and 34 storey towers at The Residence will be a major boost for the Bolton based contractor.
Forrest is focusing on new build residential work rather than its traditional maintenance business after racking-up losses of nearly £26m in its last two full financial years.
Elliot Group’s Elliot Lawless said: “I spoke with several other developers about Forrest and only got glowing reviews.
“I went and checked out their work, spoke with subcontractors and got consistently good reports so have been working alongside my project managers, WYG, to negotiate the deal for The Residence.
“I’m delighted to have them on board and to be cracking on.”
The scheme will deliver 300 apartments when it is completed in the fourth quarter of 2018 and is the developer’s maiden project in Manchester.
Groundworks have already begun on site.
Clancy are the structural engineers, Abacus the M&E designers and the Manchester studio of Falconer Chester Hall are project architects.
Lawless said: “We’re delighted to get moving on our first Manchester scheme. The city seems to be cementing its position as the UK’s new second city and The Residence will add materially to its scale and quality.”
Business body the CBI has set up a group of young construction professionals to come up with ideas about reforming the industry.
The group will provide a “view from within the industry” to feed into existing reform initiatives.
Members represent all sides of construction from designers to subcontractors and will report to the CBI’s Construction Council of 35 chief executives in November.
The CBI said: “While government has a role to play in helping to ensure the industry is ready to make the most of these opportunities, we know that most of the innovative thinking as to how we can meet these challenges will come from the expertise within construction firms.”
The Future Leaders’ Group consists of 18 “rising stars” under the age of 35.
The Future Leaders are:
| Matthew James Sharpe | Aggregate Industries |
| Michael Spurry | Balfour Beatty |
| Isla Hill | BAM Nuttall |
| Graham Kelly | BIM Academy |
| David Hollywood | Carillion |
| Andrew Cope | Henry Boot |
| Eleanor Kentish | Kier Group |
| Christopher Hughes | Morgan Sindall |
| Oliver Hawes | Mott MacDonald |
| Chris Bennett | Murphy & Sons |
| Lee Trabis | NG Bailey |
| Danielle Griffiths | Pinsent Masons |
| Craig Badger | Rider Levett Bucknall |
| Steve Ford | Ryder Architecture |
| Daniel Harris | Saint Gobain |
| Katie Fowler | SIG plc |
| Rhys Thomas | United Living |
| Chris Wright | Wates |
North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent has named the line-up of civil engineering contractors for its £60m framework.
Alun Griffiths, Dawnus Construction, Jones Bros Ruthin and JN Bentley have secured places on all major lots including the key panel for project valued up to £15m.
Several smaller local contractors have also secured places on smaller regional panels covering projects up to £500,000 across north and mid Wales.
Alun Griffiths (Contractors), Dawnus Construction, Jones Bros Ruthin, JN Bentley
Alun Griffiths (Contractors), Dawnus Construction, Jones Bros Ruthin, JN Bentley, G H James, Centregreat, M.W.T. Civil Engineering, Tregaron
Projects up to £250k
Alun Griffiths (Contractors), Dawnus Construction, Jones Bros Ruthin, JN Bentley, G H James, Centregreat, MWT Civil Engineering, Tregaron
Alun Griffiths (Contractors), Dawnus Construction, Jones Bros Ruthin, JN Bentley, Tregaron.
Projects up to £250,000
Alun Griffiths (Contractors), Dawnus Construction, Jones Bros Ruthin, JN Bentley, G H James, Centregreat, M.W.T. Civil Engineering, G T Williams
The updated contractor framework covers new construction works, improvements, maintenance, emergency work and supplier design.
The transport body is expected to spend around £15m a year on transport improvements through the framework panel.
Consultation is underway on changes to the appeal process against charges under the controversial Fee for Intervention (FFI) scheme.
Contractors are currently charged £124-an-hour for visits by Health and Safety Executive inspectors when they break safety laws.
And any appeals against the charges are currently heard by a committee of HSE staff.
Complaints by the industry about the current system have prompted a rethink and the HSE is now consulting about the possible introduction of an independent appeals system.
It said: “HSE is consulting on a revised and fully independent process for considering disputes in relation to FFI.
“We are consulting on the details of how the process should operate.
“In particular, we recognise the need to ensure that the process is accessible to all types and sizes of business and is proportionate to the issues involved and amount of the fees.”
Contractors have until June 2 to have their say and you can take part here
Severn Trent Water has parted company with its preferred contractors on a planned £100m upgrade of the Frankley Water Treatment Works near Birmingham.
The Enquirer understands that a deal with the Interserve/Kier joint venture has been terminated following a six month Early Contractor Involvement period.
Sources told the Enquirer that both sides were unable to agree a price.
One said: “The contractors told the client that the job was unaffordable at the current budget of £100m and it should be nearer the £115-£130m mark.
“It seems Severn Trent weren’t going to budge and the contractors did the sensible thing and walked away.”
It is understood Severn Trent is now talking to other contractors with North Midland believed to be among the front runners.
The Frankley upgrade is part of Severn Trent Water’s Birmingham Resilience Project worth a total of £300m.
Severn Trent Water said it does not comment on individual suppliers.
The Duke of Westminster’s property company Grosvenor Estate is targeting mid-market housing in London as luxury property market weakens.
In annual results, the firm revealed it had enjoyed six year’s of returns at 10% on property investments but last year this dropped to just 0.3% as London stagnated.
It is now focused on continuing a programme of strategic sales started early last year to recycle capital in readiness for new market opportunities and to fund its development pipeline.
The property group said it had sold off more than £500m of UK assets in the past year, and that the vote to leave the EU last June had especially hurt London residential property.
The 340-year-old landlord owns swathes of Mayfair and Belgravia and owns £6.5bn in property around the world.
Grosvenor is now pushing into mid-market housing, including an ambitious plan to create and manage a new urban neighbourhood in London’s Bermondsey district, just south of the river.
Planning proposals will be submitted later this year for a five hectare scheme that will include about 1,500 homes, mainly for rent, alongside a new secondary school.
Architect Kohn Pedersen Fox is on board for the area’s masterplan and Cottrell & Vermeulen Architecture for school design.
Mark Preston, chief executive of Grosvenor Group, said: “Investor and occupier unease before and after the UK’s EU referendum, and the imposition of higher stamp duty on purchases, greatly contributed to a slowdown in the London residential market which we anticipated and planned for.
“Looking ahead, we expect our returns in 2017 to be significantly weaker due to limited room for market value appreciation and a reduction in revenue profit following some well-timed disposals.
“The proceeds of these sales will be re-invested into our £6bn pipeline of projects to be delivered in several years’ time, resulting in a recovery in returns.”
Preston added that The Barton Park joint venture with Oxford City Council to create a 26-hectare garden suburb of nearly 900 homes and the Trumpington Meadows 24-hectare, 1,200 homes neighbourhood development in Cambridge remained on track.
Researchers have found a way to reduce the number of loops in polymer networks such as gels, plastics, and rubber. The findings could offer an easy way for manufacturers to strengthen their materials.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170424152512.htm
A new system could make it possible to control the way water moves over a surface, using only light. This advance may open the door to technologies such as microfluidic diagnostic devices whose channels and valves could be reprogrammed on the fly, or field systems that could separate water from oil at a drilling rig, the researchers say.
from Engineering and Construction News – ScienceDaily https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/04/170425092248.htm
Laing O’Rourke has revealed that Sir John Parker will become Chairman of the country’s largest private contractor.
Sir John, 75, will take up the role later this year when he steps down from his current role as Chairman of mining giant Anglo American.
In the interim he will “familiarise himself with key projects and clients.”
Laing O’Rourke CEO Ray O’Rourke said: “Sir John has built up an enviable reputation across a range of industrial sectors as a leader in the boardroom, including Chairman at five FTSE100 companies.
“As former President of the Royal Academy of Engineering and a visiting Fellow at Oxford University, he takes a keen interest in the development of engineering technology and talent, a core value of our global business.
“I am excited to work closely with Sir John to make Laing O’Rourke the recognised leader for innovation and excellence in the construction industry.”
“A culture of engineering excellence is deeply embedded at Laing O’Rourke.
“I have a deep respect for the organisation that Ray and Des O’Rourke built from scratch over the past 40 years.”
