Construction News
28 July 2011
View all stories from this issue.
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Galliford’s housebuilding arm ventures north
Galliford Try’s housebuilding brand Linden Homes has launched a new division in the North-east of England. -
16 charged over £6m construction tax fraud
Sixteen people have been charged and summonsed to appear at Birmingham Crown Court next month after an investigation into a £6 million tax fraud in 2009. -
AECOM announce the appointment of senior Arup partner
AECOM has announced it has appointed the former chair of Arup’s global property market David Glover to a new senior position within the company. -
Anglian Water appoints Danaher & Walsh to £220m framework
Anglian Water has appointed Danaher & Walsh as one of their contractors to provide construction services to their operational capital teams and to the AMP5 Alliance. -
Ardmore among winners of £137m South Kilburn housing framework
Contractors Ardmore and Mulalley have won places on a £137m London affordable housing framework alongside developers and housing associations. -
Atkins headcount stabilises on back of Middle East gains
Headcount at Atkins is expected to stabilise as Middle East operations bolster the company’s strong financial position, it said today. -
Back to the future
In difficult economic times it is tempting for marketers to keep their head down and focus on immediate challenges, but there will be a future and it needs planning for now. -
Balfour and Atkins win £28m rail freight link upgrade
Balfour Beatty and Atkins have won the contract to build a £28.3 million freight rail link north of Nuneaton station for Network Rail. -
Balfour secures sixth street lighting PPP with £230m deal
Balfour Beatty has secured its sixth public-private partnership street lighting contract after signing a £230 million deal with Northamptonshire County Council -
Bam drives off with £25m M25 services contract
Bam Construction has won a £25 million contract to build a new service station on the M25. -
Benchmark Scaffolding restructure secures Olympic site work
More than 350 jobs have been saved after the restructure of London-based firm Benchmark Scaffolding. -
Birse and Serco to pay over £400k after M5 maintenance worker’s death
Birse Civils and Serco must pay over £400,000 in fines and costs after admitting they failed to protect 42-year-old Cecil Grant who fell to his death while working over the M5 motorway near Clevedon. -
Bond markets offer boost for social housing
Billions of pounds of investment is expected to flow into the social housing sector as the top 20 associations push to raise finance on the bond markets in the next three years. -
Capital Shopping Centres detail £500m extension plans
Retail construction will be focused on extensions rather than new build for the foreseeable future according to Capital Shopping Centres, who today provided further detail of their £500 million development programme. -
Carillion closes on £1.7bn Canadian hospital contract
A Carillion joint venture has reached financial close on a Canadian hospital contract worth up to £1.7 billion, the firm announced today. -
Carillion land £123m Canada station
Carillion Canada has been awarded a £123 million contract to construct Vaughan Corporate Centre Station, by the Toronto Transit Commission. -
Carillion, Babcock and Kier to fight it out for £1.5bn MoD housing job
The Defence Infrastructure Organisation has named Kier & Turner Facilities Management, Carillion & Enterprise Managed Services and Babcock as the three shortlisted bidders for the £1.5 billion national housing prime contract. -
Case set for sales boost despite supply issues
Case Construction Equipment UK has something to be pleased about as its sales figures start to head back north. Like most firms, the company has had to grapple with tough trading conditions, but a headwind is now filling the firm’s sails, according to UK and Republic of Ireland business director Scott Freeman.He was speaking at last month’s Case Rodeo event where the firm invited all-comers to take part in time trials of machine dexterity, using the CX30B Series 2 mini excavator and th -
Cheesegrater deal “favourable” says British Land
British Land is claiming its deal with Laing O’Rourke to build the Cheesegrater skyscraper has created savings in time and budget. -
Chesterfield council seeks development partner for £50m retail scheme
Chesterfield Borough Council has begun the hunt for a development partner to deliver the £50 million redevelopment of the Northern Gateway. -
Circle seeks contractors for £1.6bn of social housing works
Affordable housing giant Circle is looking for contractors for up to £1.6 billion of repairs and maintenance works over the next 10 years. -
Clients take note as London 2012 construction nears finish line
With just a year to go until the Olympics major clients including Crossrail are working with the Olympic Delivery Authority to try to emulate its successful construction programme. -
Construction bracing itself for stalled recovery
While it’s not a surprise to hear more public sector projects are being shelved, the news that Glenigan figures reveal such a rising number of private sector projects being put on hold sends a warning sign for an anaemic industry recovery. -
Construction industry faces a 'retirement timebomb'
The number of 16-19 year olds working in construction has more than halved in three years according to research by CITB-ConstructionSkills. -
Construction Parliamentary Update - 29 July 2011
A round-up of all the latest construction news from Westminster this week, brought to you by the Madano Partnership -
Contractors still await son of BSF
The £55 billion pipeline for Building Schools for the Future was always going to be a tough act to follow. While the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review did much to manage expectations, the latest policy announcement on schools spending was still bound to disappoint. -
Cornerstone’s schooling for a shared future
He might be forgiven for turning his back on construction, but former Partnerships for Schools chief executive Tim Byles believes he has found a way to get public sector bodies building again. -
Council approves preparation for Hinkley nuclear build
West Somerset District Council has approved work to prepare the site at Hinkley Point C, where EDF Energy plans to construct the first nuclear power station to be built in the UK for more than 20 years. -
Councils may continue BSF battle
The majority of the six councils that appealed against the government’s decision to cancel their Building Schools for the Future schemes may continue to fight their case despite winning back their costs. -
Data shows spike in projects on hold
The number of construction projects put on hold has almost doubled in the past three months, Construction News can reveal. -
Developers prepare for planning shift
The government bid to simplify planning policy was welcomed this week but could mean interpretation of the rules varies between authorities. -
Doosan brings in cleaner engines to meet EU rules
Doosan says it will use both Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) to comply with the new Stage 3B emissions regulations. These impose a further 90 per cent reduction in the allowable level of particulate emissions and a 50 per cent cut in oxides of nitrogen (NOx).The roll-out of the cleaner engines will begin in September with the first of a new generation of articulated dump trucks (ADTs) and they will also feature in a new generation of excavators a -
Download Contract Leads - 1 August 2011
Download the latest contract leads here -
Earl’s Court developer posts strong growth
Capital and Counties, the developer behind the £8 billion redevelopment of Earls Court, has posted strong results with net asset value up four per cent to 154 pence per share. -
Easymix adds new units
EasyMix Concrete, has added two Renault Premium Lander 270.18 4x2 chassis cabs fitted with a midlift axle, giving a 6x2 configuration, and two Renault Kerax 380.32 8x4s to its 18-strong mixed fleet, with a further two Kerax on order from Renault Trucks Chiltern.The chassis specification was given as a key reason for the buying decision of both models, together with the level technical support from Renault Trucks UK, which ensured the optimum weight distribution for the Roadmaster Concr -
EDF chief: nuclear wins can open doors for UK firms
Success in the UK’s nuclear build programme will unlock opportunities in international markets for UK contractors, EDF Energy’s nuclear procurement chief has told Construction News. -
Engineering firm faces £80k pay out after crane driver death
An engineering firm has been fined £33,333 and ordered to pay £49,247 in costs after a crane driver died from massive crush injuries just weeks before he was due to become a father. -
Engineering firms fined £115k after worker dragged through steel machine
Fines and costs worth £115,000 have been imposed on two firms after a steel worker was dragged through a gap no wider than a CD case. -
Four in line for key spots on £3.5bn West Midlands framework
Mansell, Morgan Sindall, Thomas Vale and Willmott Dixon to compete for £150m of work a year -
Galliford Try's share of Gallions Quarter scheme worth £27m
Galliford Try has confirmed it will receive work worth £27 million as part of its work on the second phase of the Gallions Quarter development in Royal Docks, London. -
Gatwick contractor strategy makes savings
A new approach to managing contractor relationships has brought major cost and time savings for Gatwick Airport, according to the director of capital projects Raymond Melee. -
Green light for £600m Essex power station
Energy Minister Charles Hendry has confirmed he will give the go-ahead for InterGen’s proposals to construct a new 900MW gas power plant at the London Gateway Logistics Park, Coryton, Essex. -
Guide to utility connections launched by BPF and Davis Langdon
A guide for developers has been launched by Davis Langdon and the British Property Federation to advise on speeding up construction through quicker access to utility connections. -
Hammerson plots £1.1bn of new development
Developer Hammerson has announced plans to boost its development pipeline which now stands at £1.1 billion. -
Hedge fund seeks contractor for £300m Chelsea housing job
Leading European hedge fund Orion Capital Managers has acquired an acre of prime residential land in Chelsea which it aims to develop into one of London’s most luxurious developments. -
House prices fall 2.5pc in year to June
Average house prices fell by 2.5 per cent in the year to June, although they remained flat on the previous month. -
HS2 seeks partner to develop hybrid bill in £70m contract
High Speed 2 is searching for a development partner to help get its plan through the parliamentary process. -
Hungarian photographer wins Art of Building competition
A Hungarian photographer has taken first prize in the Chartered Institute of Building’s 2011 international photography competition. -
ICE hail appointment of new Infrastructure UK chief
The appointment of a new chief executive for Infrastructure UK has been hailed as vital to ensuring the Treasury gives the infrastructure sector the attention it needs. -
Industrial work shifts focus
Working in the private sector has been tough going for contractors in recent years and the industrial market is no exception. -
Investors plough £348m into student accommodation
Tuition fee increase expected to further strengthen investors appetite. -
Isuzu unveils new range
Isuzu has launched a new modular range of 4x2 rigids from 3.5 to 18 tonnes GVW, replacing its current line-up to 7.5 tonnes, and introducing 11, 12, 15 and 18-tonne categories.The 3.5-tonne version is now called Grafter, while all other new models are badged Forward.There a total of seven weight categories and three cab options, which incorporate Isuzu’s Hexapod cab design, which is claimed to be more robust for meeting stringent crash specifications, as well as being more spaci -
Keller makes £2m UK loss in first half of 2011
Piling giant Keller reduced staff numbers and saw a £2 million loss in operating profit in the first six months of 2011. -
Kier JV presents new Haywards Heath plan
Revised plans to revamp Haywards Heath railway station in Sussex have been presented by Kier and Network Rail. -
Kier signs three BSF contracts worth £28m
Kier Eastern has signed three Building Schools for the Future contracts collectively worth £28m with Cambridgeshire Learning and Community Partnerships. -
Laing O’Rourke confirmed for the Cheesegrater
British Land and Oxford Properties have confirmed that Laing O’Rourke has been appointed main contractor on the Leadenhall Building, commonly known as the Cheesegrater. -
Loaders tackle energy waste
Slough Heat & Power has been impressed with the three Bell wheel loaders the firm has brought in to tackle the challenge of handling thousands of tonnes of wood waste from its 100 MW power plant. -
Luddon wins £15m biowaste plant
Fife Council has announced Luddon Construction as the winner of a contract to build a new biowaste processing plant at Lochhead Landfill site near Dumfermline. -
Major contractors gear up to pay for carbon under CRC scheme
Contractors are already accruing costs that will be paid for their carbon emissions under the Carbon Reduction Commitment Energy Efficiency Scheme. -
Major UK projects help Spanish giant Ferrovial back to profit
Spanish infrastructure giant Ferrovial saw profits soar in the first half of 2011, helped along by key UK projects such as Crossrail and Birmingham highways. -
Mears moves further into social care with £7.4m acquisition
Mears has announced the £7.4 million acquisition of the Supported Living division of Choices Care Community Services, a company currently in administration. -
Mears wins £20m solar panel deal
Mears has won a £20 million contract to install photovoltaic panels to more than 3,500 houses in Peterborough, in what is believed to be the largest deal of its kind. -
MITIE acquires 100 per cent control of SMI
Building services company Mitie Group has acquired the remaining 50 per cent share of Service Management International (SMI) to take full control. -
Morgan Sindall awarded £65m Covent Garden deal
Morgan Sindall has been awarded a £65 million contract to deliver a six-storey office scheme at Covent Garden by Legal & General Property. -
Morgan Sindall confirms iESE framework place
Morgan Sindall has confirmed it had been reappointed to the Improvement and Efficiency South East framework worth up to £4.5bn. -
Morgan Sindall lands £150m Scottish schools deal
Morgan Sindall has won an £150 million primary school contract in Scotland. -
New home registrations up 9 per cent in first half
Housebuilders registered 9 per cent more new homes during the first half of this year compared to the same period in 2010, according to new figures from the National House Building Council. -
Non-UK markets prove growth areas for Turner&Townsend
Consultants Turner&Townsend have revealed almost 50 per cent of their work is now coming from outside the UK and it expects that figure to increase. -
Northumbrian Water sold to Hong Kong-led consortium for £2.4bn
A consortium led by Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings has announced it has agreed to purchase Northumbrian Water in a deal worth £2.4bn. -
Olympics' construction legacy will benefit whole industry
Much is written about the Olympics’ legacy in sporting and cultural terms, less so about the lasting benefits to the construction industry – and the extent to which it should congratulate itself on a fantastic job, brilliantly done. -
Osborne focuses on picking the right partners
Moving with the markets, picking projects wisely and creating the right partnerships is the way forward for family firm Osborne. -
Places for People signs contract to deliver 188 Edinburgh homes
The City of Edinburgh has appointed Places for People to deliver 188 affordable homes under the National Housing Trust initiative. -
Plans submitted for Manchester spec build scheme
A planning application has been submitted for the redevelopment of nearly 14,000 sq m of prime office space in Manchester. -
Pressure builds on local development
The draft National Planning Policy Framework will bring both sustainable development and economic growth, planning minister Greg Clark promised last week. -
Private sector shows promise as public spending cuts bite
The impact of Government spending cuts became clear in the second quarter of 2011, as the gap widened between the level of public and private work, according to a new report. -
Rail bodies signal South-east network expansion
Network Rail and Transport for London are pressing for several extensions to Crossrail, a new west London transport hub at Old Oak Common between Harlesden and Acton, and High Speed 2 as part of a multibillion-pound rail investment proposal. -
Redundancy payouts cost Mouchel
Staff redundancy payouts and delays in payment from businesses in Abu Dhabi have left Mouchel with £87.4 million of debt at the end of last month. -
Retailers target smaller openings
A flexible approach to store design by big name retailers could signal a “significant development” for the under pressure sector. -
RICS survey shows housing market 'fluttering into life'
Activity in the housing market picked up in October as sellers began taking lower offers for their homes, according to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. -
Ryhurst bags place on £75m health framework
Shropshire County Primary Care Trust has appointed Ryhurst to a £75 million framework to provide healthcare facilities and services including design, construction and maintenance. -
School spending faces legal hurdles
Partnerships set up by contractors and councils specifically to build schools could face obstacles to winning work under the government’s centrally procured £2 billion programme. -
Sellafield to see £1.8bn in new construction over three years
A new plan outlining the long-term vision for Sellafield has committed to spend a total of more than £1.8 billion on new construction projects over the next three years. -
Shell Southbank HQ to get £300m redevelopment
Qatari Diar Real Estate Investment Company and Canary Wharf Group have signed an agreement with Shell to redevelop the company’s headquarters on London’s South Bank in a deal worth £300 million. -
Shortfall in student spaces creates work
Student accommodation is running well below what is required in London despite a 90 per cent rise in construction in the past year, according to commercial property consultant Drivers Jonas Deloitte. -
Solid growth in July but employment falls again, says PMI
Construction activity saw solid growth in July but confidence remains subdued for the year ahead, according to the latest Purchasing Managers’ Index. -
Speedy records bumper June in trading update
Speedy Hire says trading in June increased by 6.2 per cent compared with a year earlier. Its UK yields were up 7.8 per cent with an 8.8 per cent increase in hire rates, offset by a 5.8 per cent drop in volume.Chairman Ishbel Macpherson says year-on-year trading improved each month in the quarter to the end of June, although the extended holidays around Easter and subsequent bank holidays limited the overall increase to 0.4 per cent.While acknowledging continuing uncertainty in t -
Subcontractors called for £120m Glasgow council framework
Council-owned contractor City Building (Glasgow) is seeking subcontractors for a framework offering up to £120 million worth of work across Glasgow. -
Suppliers continue to wait for payment
Major contractors have not responded to the government’s call to pay suppliers within 30 days, latest figures have revealed. -
Taylor Wimpey secures margin growth
House builder Taylor Wimpey is on track to achieve double digit margins next year, after posting an operating profit of £67.2 million. -
Tender prices set to climb in next two years
Tender prices are expected to climb at an annual rate of 3 per cent over the next two years, according to the latest research. -
Tool tray offers productivity and safety benefits
Skaftray, the purpose-designed tool holding tray for those working on scaffolding towers, is now available for purchase following the appointment of Euro Towers as the first distributor.The tray is the brainchild of Phil Moore who had seen workers on towers with their tools round their feet or balanced on planks laid across the handrails. “This posed a either a trip hazard for the workers in the tower or the potential hazard of tools falling from the planks and hitting people on the gr -
Transport revolution unveiled in 50-year Thames Hub vision
A 50-year vision to create a Thames transport hub that would replace Heathrow with an 150-million passenger airport has been unveiled. -
Travis Perkins profits surge by 20pc in first half of 2011
Travis Perkins has reported a 20 per cent boost in pre-tax profit for the first half of 2011 - while also predicting more consolidations in its market as competitors struggle with the challenging climate. -
Unite gets green light for Camden student digs project
Student accommodation specialist Unite has won unanimous planning consent for its 563-bed development in the heart of Camden, London. -
United House in line for £60m mixed use Hyundai scheme
United House is in the final stages of securing a £60 million contract to build the Alfa Laval mixed use scheme in Brentford which will provide a major new site for car maker Hyundai, Construction News understands. -
Used van values rise
Wholesale used van values increased by 8.2 per cent to £4,156 in June, higher than at any time since the same month last year - the rise was attributed to an overall reduction in average age and mileage.However, annual mileage has been increasing in the small van segment over the last 13 months, but falling in the large panel van segment. This reflects the wider application and greater usage of small panel vans, specifically compared with the 3.5-tonne category.Small panel vans -
Willmott Dixon books £10m Southend hotel
Southend Airport owner Stobart Group has appointed Willmott Dixon to build a £10 million 4-star hotel in time for the 2012 Olympics.The 129-bedroom, five-storey venue was designed by Leach Rhodes Walker.It features a restaurant and private dining room with top floor panoramic views of the airport.Southend Airport managing director Alastair Welch said: “High quality and convenient hotel facilities are essential ingredients of successful regional airports and an important -
Willmott Dixon lands £61m Birmingham Uni job
Birmingham University has chosen Willmott Dixon to deliver the first phase of its City Centre Campus, a deal worth £61 million.
