New training offered on Covid-19 protocols

New training offered on Covid-19 protocols

The new Be Covid Smart digital learning toolkit is intended to help Scotland’s building sector get safely back to work. The immersive online training programme aims to raise awareness of Covid-19 safety by: educating those working on site, in homes or in places of learning; encouraging the use of safe working and learning; and empowering…

Keltbray shuffles leadership

Keltbray shuffles leadership

Chief executive Darren James Chief executive Darren James joined Keltbray from Costain in April 2020, with majority owner Brendan Kerr stepping slightly sideways to become executive chairman. Changes to the company’s corporate governance structure, effective 1st November 2020, are described as being in accordance with the Wates Corporate Governance Principles for large privately owned companies….

Builders called to bid for Britain’s biggest road tunnel

Builders called to bid for Britain’s biggest road tunnel

CGI of the northern tunnel entrance to the Lower Thames Crossing in Essex The Lower Thames Crossing comprises 14.3 miles of new road to the east of London, with twin 2.6 mile-long tunnels connecting Kent and Essex. Works on the project could start in mid-2022. The tunnels and approaches contract includes design and construction of…

Wates gets April start date for Piccadilly Circus

Wates gets April start date for Piccadilly Circus

CGI of One Sherwood Street, as seen from Piccadilly Circus Landsec had been trying to work out how best to exploit the island site since acquiring freehold ownership in 2012. The solution was devised by Fletcher Priest Architects. The redevelopment of One Sherwood Street will transform the space behind the billboards into a new six-story…

New owner for sash window specialist

New owner for sash window specialist

Ventrolla’s Harrogate headquarters RFM has bought Ventrolla, a wooden sash window repair, manufacturing and installation business from ERA Home Security for an undisclosed sum. Ventrolla is described as the market leader in the repair, restoration and replacement of wooden sash windows. It has sold more than 100,000 sash windows from its factories in Harrogate and…

Green light for Gateshead arena

Green light for Gateshead arena

Gateshead arena has been designed by HOK Architects Gateshead Council’s planning committee has approved plans for a £260m regeneration scheme based around the development of a 12,500-seater events arena. The scheme, which sits on the Newcastle-Gateshead waterfront at Gateshead Quays, also includes a conference/exhibition centre, restaurants, a hotel and large areas of outdoor realm and…

Prices already rising as Berkeley breaks ground in the east end

Prices already rising as Berkeley breaks ground in the east end

CGI of the completed TwelveTrees Park TwelveTrees Park in the London Borough of Newham is one of Berkeley’s biggest regeneration schemes, with 3,838 new homes planned, along with shops, a community centre and a new home for the East London Science School. At its peak, construction will involve more than 1,000 staff working on site….

Construction starts to struggle to reach pre-Covid output

Construction starts to struggle to reach pre-Covid output

The level of construction output in September 2020 was 7.3% below that of February 2020, with only infrastructure and private new housing having returned to above their pre-pandemic levels of output. All other types of work in September 2020 have yet to recover, with public new housing 29.4% below its February 2020 level. The Office…

Scottish Borders sets out its housing ambitions

Scottish Borders sets out its housing ambitions

The proposals, which include a new housing development of semi-detached homes in Denholm, will be discussed by the council’s executive next week. Councillor Mark Rowley, executive member for economic regeneration and finance, said: “The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact on construction projects across the Scottish Borders, including housebuilding, and it may take some time…

Interserve begins work on medicines innovation centre

Interserve begins work on medicines innovation centre

The Medicines Manufacturing Innovation Centre (MMIC) will be built in Inchinnan, Renfrewshire, on a site near Glasgow Airport. The project will be led by CPI in partnership with the University of Strathclyde, Scottish Enterprise, UK Research & Innovation and founding industry partners, AstraZeneca and GSK. The centre is intended to ensure that the UK is…