£10.5bn NHS framework winners revealed

£10.5bn NHS framework winners revealed

The new framework, put together by NHS Shared Business Services, runs from 17th December 2020 until 16th December 2023 initially, with the option to extend to 2027. Over the full seven years the overall value is put at £10.5bn. Although it is primarily for procurement of construction works across the National Health Service, it is…

Research project hopes to simplify rail track piling design

Research project hopes to simplify rail track piling design

Dr Koohyar Faizi is leading the research project Van Elle and Nottingham Trent University have entered a knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) to simplify the design process for ground engineering in the rail sector. The aim of the three-year project, led by Dr Koohyar Faizi, is to help contractors put the right solution in first time…

Suffering delays with imports?

Suffering delays with imports?

Cargo operations at the Port of Dover Current issues mainly relate to goods imported from China and east Asia, including sanitaryware, power tools, screws and fixings. Suppliers of soft wood timber products from Scandinavia are also under pressure due to increased demand worldwide. BMF chief executive John Newcomb, who co-chairs the Construction Leadership Council’s working…

Ilke sells Drybrook development to Guinness

Ilke sells Drybrook development to Guinness

This image shows 26 semi-detached Ilke homes in Royal Drive, Egremont, Cumbria. The Drybrook scheme will be similar. The deal marks Ilke Homes’ fifth scheme as a full turnkey developer – it secured the land at Mannings Farm, near Drybrook High Street, in March 2020 before obtaining planning consent. The new estate will have a…

Green light for TfL’s Oval housing

Green light for TfL’s Oval housing

CGI of Montford Place (courtesy of Hawkins Brown) The development, in Montford Place in Kennington – just by the Oval gasholders – has been designed by architect Hawkins Brown for Connected Living London (CLL) – a partnership between private landlord Grainger and Transport for London (TfL). The site is currently a construction yard for the…

Industry leaders back £525bn home improvement plan

Industry leaders back £525bn home improvement plan

The UK needs twice the current workforce t deliver on the CLC’s £525bn national retrofit strategy The mass education campaign is a precursor to a ‘national retrofit strategy’ published by the Construction Leadership council to promote home improvement schemes. It says: “The UK has some 28 million homes, the vast majority of which need retrofit…

Laing O’Rourke posts strong profit growth

Laing O’Rourke posts strong profit growth

Chief executive Ray O’Rourke In the year to 31st March 2020, Laing O’Rourke made a pre-tax profit of £45.5m (2019: £32.7m). With revenue from continuing operations down 11% to £2,448.5m (2019: £2,753.4m), gross profit margin improved to 10.4% (2019: 7.7%). A £26m improvement in earnings before interest and tax to £72.9m was attributed to “a…

Aberdeen Harbour expansion on track for 2021 opening

Aberdeen Harbour expansion on track for 2021 opening

Aberdeen Harbour bosses have confirmed that there will be a phased opening next year of the Aberdeen Harbour Expansion Project (AHEP) – the largest marine infrastructure scheme under way in the UK. Construction, which began in early 2017, is now 70% complete. Dragados had been appointed to the project in 2016 but withdrew earlier this…