Laing O’Rourke is calling for the introduction of construction GCSEs and A-levels in a bid to solve the industry’s skills crisis. The suggestion is part of a ten-point plan put forward by the contractor in a report launched today. O’Rourke wants to see the introduction of GCSEs and A-levels in Design, Engineer and Construct (DEC). […]
Irish petrol forecourt firm Applegreen is planning major motorway service stations on the M42 near Birmingham and M3 near Basingstoke. Subject to planning, the largest scheme will be built at junction 4 of the M42 near Shirley and will boast a rolling ‘green roof’ on the main amenity building. The location of the 21.5-acre site means […]
Government funding has been agreed for a £369m overhaul of Buckingham Palace. The ten-year programme of work will start next April to completely revamp the building’s antiquated M&E system. Much of the Palace’s plumbing, electrical, cabling and heating system has not been upgraded since the Second World War. Royal officials fear the current system could […]
Chancellor Phillip Hammond will unveil a £1.3bn programme of local road and pinpoint improvements in the Autumn Statement on Wednesday. His modest road spending pledge falls short of industry hopes for a grandiose post-Brexit vote spending boost for infrastructure to combat slowing economic growth. Instead the Government is looking to leverage more by supporting smaller, […]
The first major works contracts for HS2 worth around £900m have been awarded to three consortia. Joint ventures including seven firms have picked up the first enabling packages covering three sections of the first phase route from London to Birmingham. Preparations will now start immediately and will involve negotiating to agree demolition, diversion of major utilities and […]
Balfour Beatty has become the second contractor to walk away from Chinese developer Dalian Wanda Group’s One Nine Elms development near Vauxhall in London. Balfour Beatty singed a pre-construction services agreement in July with the developer to build the £1bn landmark twin tower luxury residential scheme. Balfour Beatty beat rival Multiplex on the job after […]
Civils contractors are calling for a procurement revolution to halt “unsustainable” increases in bidding costs. Contractors are pointing the finger at the growing use of open tenders, disproportionate quality bid requirements and poor tender documents. The Civil Engineering Contractors Association has now identified nine key problem areas: Poor engagement with bidders Too many bidders/use of […]
The government will unveil a portfolio of 13 projects today offering £5bn of opportunities to potential Chinese investors in the Northern Powerhouse. The schemes will be presented by Chancellor Phillip Hammond to a delegation led by Chinese Vice Premier Ma Kai. Hammond said: “As we seek to take to take the golden era of UK […]
Around three quarters of infrastructure providers doubt whether Network Rail and Highways England have the capacity to deliver their massive investment programmes. Growing concern about resources at the key transport clients emerged in a CBI/AECOM survey of businesses in the UK. The survey also revealed that most UK businesses were positive about the clear prioritisation of […]
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has ordered an investigation into the cost of converting the Olympic Stadium into West Ham’s new home. The move comes as it was revealed the conversion costs have jumped by another £51m to £323m from £272m. Balfour Beatty was in charge of converting the stadium under a £190m contract. The Enquirer […]