FLO and Ursula complete Tideway’s central tunnel

FLO and Ursula complete Tideway’s central tunnel

The breakthough into Chambers Wharf Tunnelling boring machine (TBM) Ursula, working for main contractor Ferrovial Laing O’Rourke Joint Venture (FLO), completed her 7.6km journey from Battersea to Bermondsey. The TBM broke through on Monday into a deep shaft at Tideway’s Chambers Wharf site. Mark Sneesby, chief operating officer of client organisation Tideway, said: “This is…

Construction employers join NOCN board

Construction employers join NOCN board

Tim Brownbridge (left) and Paul Allman Joining the NOCN Job Cards board are BAM Nuttall academy manager Tim Brownbridge and Flannery Plant Hire director Paul Allman. NOCN, formerly the National Open College Network, acquired CSkills from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) in 2017 to becoming one of the largest UK construction awarding organisations. In…

CITB reforms apprenticeship support regime

CITB reforms apprenticeship support regime

At present, CITB offers employer and apprentice support for 7,000 contracted apprenticeships, which is only about a third of the total marketplace.   CITB will no longer actively recruit for new starts beyond April 2021. Prospective candidates and their employers will be referred instead to alternative training providers. All current CITB apprentices will continue to be…

Builders publish net zero handbook

Builders publish net zero handbook

The front cover The handbook, called Transforming Construction: Delivering a Low Carbon Future*, offers building contractors advice on how to decarbonise both their internal business operations and their construction projects. As well as tackling carbon emissions from the construction process, the guide covers the topic of embodied carbon, and how to improve a building’s operational…

New generation exoskeleton made easier to wear

New generation exoskeleton made easier to wear

The MATE-XT exoskeleton The MATE-XT has a slim, lightweight carbon fibre structure and an intuitive regulation system. The fabric is breathable and resistant to water, dust, UV-light and temperature. The technology is designed to help the wearer with repetitive lifting motions and manual handling tasks. MATE-XT replicates the user’s physiological shoulder movements to provide optimal…

Three missions set for Scottish investment bank

Three missions set for Scottish investment bank

Members of the Scottish parliament have confirmed the missions, which are intended to ensure that the bank addresses the ‘grand challenges’ facing the country. They state that the bank should: drive the move towards net zero emissions. The bank will invest to help Scotland become a leader in sustainable technology, services and industries; promote inclusive…

Manchester arena propels BAM to top of November’s league

Manchester arena propels BAM to top of November’s league

BAM has a contract to build a 23,500-seater indoor arena in Manchester The house-building sector accounted for 40% of the new work awarded in November – with 227 new contracts registered, worth an aggregate £2.3bn. The contract winning the most work during the  month was BAM, which won four new projects valued at a combined…

Second airspace development approved in Bermondsey

Second airspace development approved in Bermondsey

The Antony & Roderick House scheme Apex Airspace and Lambeth & Southwark Housing Association (LSHA) have gained planning to build 30 affordable homes on top of and in between existing residential buildings Antony House and Roderick House in Bermondsey, with the assistance of HTA Design. The development will include ‘bookends’ at each end of the…

Fast-growing Glencar builds £180m order book

Fast-growing Glencar builds £180m order book

Managing director Eddie McGillycuddy A focus on industrial markets has led to business mushrooming at Glencar Construction, creating a forward order book of £180m. In the year to 31st March 2019, Glencar turned over £22.1m and made a pre-tax profit of £774,000. It subsequently changed its financial year so a direct year-on-year comparison does not…