Welcome to the latest edition of the Friday Feed!
In this week’s rail news, £3.9bn of funding was announced for the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), taking the total government funding to £6.9bn.
Network Rail has unveiled its Cardiff South Central masterplan, which will allocate over 10 acres of railway land at Cardiff Central Station for a major mixed-use residential scheme.
Meanwhile, HS2 has completed installing all the beams in the Highfurlong Brook viaduct in Northamptonshire. HS2 has also begun procuring for a contractor for the Automated People Mover enabling works, which will connect Birmingham Airport to the new Birmingham Interchange station
Fred Olsen Renewables has submitted proposals to the Scottish Government for permission to develop the 57MW Culachy Wind Farm, over 7km south of Forth Augustus.
Mott MacDonald has been appointed to the role of delivery partner for the assessment phase of the international nuclear firm Holtec’s new small modular reactor (SMR), the SMR-300.
National Grid has launched frameworks worth £58.67bn to meet its high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable requirements, including a £12.77bn civils and major works framework.
Meanwhile, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners has taken final investment decision and commenced construction on a 500MW energy storage system in Coalburn, Scotland, which will be one of the largest of its kind in Europe.
The big roads story this week is that a Bouygues Travaux Publics-Murphy joint venture (JV) has awarded the £1.34bn tunnelling contract for the Lower Thames Crossing. The JV beat competition from a venture comprised of Bam Nuttall, Ferrovial Construction and Vinci Construction Grands Projets, and a bid from a Dragados and Hochtief Infrastructure JV to land the work.
Lincolnshire County Council has unveiled a £360 million package, for highways improvements and major projects works. The council has also awarded Balfour Beatty Living Places a six-year extension to its £330 million highways maintenance contract
National Highways has reported that its A595 improvements is moving into its final phase, but the project’s budget has increased from £16M to £21.4M.
Scottish Water has broken ground on a £6 million project in Midlothian to upgrade the waste water treatment system in the village of Edgehead.
Civil engineering contractor Clancy has forged a cooperation agreement with fibre optic specialist Arqiva to install smart water meters.
Development partners, The Hill Group and Shearer Property Group, have submitted a reserved matters application for the first of two phases of the £450m City Centre South regeneration project in Coventry.
More than 100 schools are set to be completely rebuilt due to the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) crisis, the education secretary Gillian Keegan has said.
Berkeley Homes has put its investment in new housing developments on hold due to what it describes as an “unsupportive” operating environment.
Mace, CBRE and Forth Ports are among major firms to have joined a new Inclusive Growth Commission which aims to provide practical solutions to the lack of growth in the UK economy.
The News
Transpennine Route upgrade gets £3.9bn cash injection taking total DfT funding to £6.9bn – New Civil Engineer
The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced a further £3.9bn will be injected into the underway Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) rail project, taking the total government funding to £6.9bn.
HS2 Ltd starts procurement for Automated People Mover enabling works – New Civil Engineer
The search has begun for a contractor to conduct enabling works for the HS2’s Automated People Mover (APM) between Solihull and Birmingham.
Reopening of restored Northumberland line to passengers delayed beyond summer 2024 – New Civil Engineer
The return of passenger services to the Northumberland line is delayed by several months as two new stations for the recommssioned line have been beset with construction delays.
Network Rail unveils Cardiff South Central masterplan – Construction Enquirer
Network Rail has started work on masterplanning over 10-acres of railway land at Cardiff Central Station for a major mixed-use residential scheme.
Costain agrees extension to Network Rail contract – Rail Business Daily
Costain has been awarded an extension to its existing Service Partner Framework contract with Network Rail. The 12-month extension runs until the end of January 2025, and is expected to be worth more than £5 million.
East Coast Digital Programme progresses – Rail Business Daily
Upgrades to enhance rail travel to and from London progressed further on Sunday with work on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) as part of the East Coast Digital Programme (ECDP).
Winder Phillips Associates appointed to provide technical and commercial advice to the Department for Transport – Rail Business Daily
Winder Phillips Associates have been selected by the Department for Transport (DfT) as an ‘Expert’ supplier on the department’s Specialist Technical and Commercial Advice for Rail and Other Transport Modes (STARThree) Framework.
Beams installed for HS2 viaduct – The Construction Index
A viaduct in Northamptonshire has become the first on the HS2 project to have all its deck beams installed.
DfT re-commits to transport investments in response to Hendy’s Union Connectivity Review – New Civil Engineer
The Department for Transport (DfT) has reiterated its commitment to funding several transport interventions in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in its long-awaited response to Sir Peter Hendy’s Union Connectivity Review.
National Grid launches £59bn frameworks for HVDC needs including £12.8bn civils works – New Civil Engineer
National Grid has launched frameworks worth £58.67bn to meet its high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable requirements, including a £12.77bn civils and major works framework.
Fred Olsen submits plans for Scottish wind farm – reNews
Fred Olsen Renewables has submitted proposals to the Scottish Government for permission to develop the 57MW Culachy Wind Farm, over 7km south of Forth Augustus.
CIP reaches FID on 500MW Scottish battery – reNews
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has taken final investment decision and commenced construction on a 500MW energy storage system in Coalburn, Scotland, which will be one of the largest of its kind in Europe.
LED Solar Light Tower Research：CAGR of 8.72% during the forecast period – Industry Today
LED Solar Light Tower is a lighting device that utilizes solar energy and LED technology. Its working principle is to collect solar energy through solar panels and convert it into electrical energy to store in batteries. When the ambient light becomes dark, the LED light will automatically light up to provide a visible light signal. LED technology features high brightness, low energy consumption and long life, making LED solar light towers a reliable and cost-effective lighting solution.
Solar farm secured as share offer to close – Insider
A community energy company has secured a 5MW solar farm near Morriston in Swansea with its share offer to raise funds set to close.
Sunsave secures £5.4M seed funding to help households unlock solar potential – The Business Magazine
A green-energy focused company, described as ‘game-changing’ and founded by two Oxford University friends, has unveiled a £5.4 million seed funding round to propel its bid to make solar accessible to all UK households.
Mott Macdonald to support Holtec Britain in delivering SMRs in UK – New Civil Engineer
Mott MacDonald has been appointed to the role of delivery partner for the assessment phase of the international nuclear firm Holtec’s new small modular reactor (SMR), the SMR-300.
A595 Cumbria improvements near completion as cost rises to £21M – New Civil Engineer
National Highways has reported that its A595 improvements is moving into its final phase, but the project’s budget has increased from £16M to £21.4M.
£20M contract tendered for highways structure repairs framework in West Midlands – New Civil Engineer
The City of Wolverhampton Council has put out a call to contractors to bid for a place on a £20M framework for highways structure repairs across the West Midlands.
UK Government spends £8m on improving A75 in Scotland – Highways News
The transport secretary has announced new measures to better connect Scotland including plans for improvements to the A75 between Gretna and Stranraer.
Bouygues and Murphy JV lands £1.34bn Lower Thames tunnel job – Construction News
A Bouygues Travaux Publics-Murphy joint venture (JV) has landed the £1.34bn tunnelling contract for the Lower Thames Crossing.
Government approves £33.6million funding for A34 corridor improvements through Stockport – Highways News
Pedestrians, cyclists and motorists in Greater Manchester and Stockport will benefit from improved connectivity thanks to a multi-million-pound package of critical improvements to the A34 corridor in Cheadle and Handforth.
All systems go for £360 million investment planned for improvements and major projects on Lincolnshire’s highways – Highways News
In addition to all of the standard maintenance and repairs that Lincolnshire County Council carry out each year, a total of £360 million over the next five years on brand-new infrastructure and major improvements is due to be spent.
Balfour Beatty wins £330m Lincs highways deal – Construction Index
Balfour Beatty Living Places has been awarded a six-year extension to its highways maintenance contract with Lincolnshire County Council.
Edgehead treatment works gets £6m upgrade – Construction Index
Scottish Water has broken ground on an innovative project in Midlothian to upgrade the waste water treatment system in the village of Edgehead.
Clancy forms water meter partnership – Construction Index
Civil engineering contractor Clancy has forged a cooperation agreement with fibre optic specialist Arqiva to install smart water meters.
Lorna Gibson is new Vice Chair of RIA Scotland – Rail Business Daily
RIA Scotland has announced that Lorna Gibson has been appointed Vice Chair of the group. She is currently Training Director of rail engineering company QTS Group Ltd. Lorna has over a decade of rail experience and is a founding member and Chair of Women in Rail Scotland.
Light rail industry leader to chair West Midlands tram operator – Rail Business Daily
One of the UK’s top light rail executives has been appointed as the new Chair of Midland Metro Limited (MML), the operator of the West Midlands’ expanding tram network.
WSP appoints UK deputy CEO – Construction Index
Canadian-owned consulting engineer WSP has appointed a new deputy chief executive for its UK operations.
Gove calls in proposals for Stratford’s MSG Sphere, but developer says the scheme is dead – Property Week
Housing secretary Michael Gove has officially called in proposals for the Las Vegas-style Madison Square Garden (MSG) Sphere in Stratford, east London, after mayor of London Sadiq Khan rejected controversial plans for the entertainment venue.
McLaren plans Watford development – Construction Index
McLaren Living, the residential development arm of the McLaren Group, has acquired Watford police station and magistrates court.
Gilbert-Ash takes £30m Tate Liverpool revamp – Construction Enquirer
Tate Liverpool has signed Northern Ireland’s Gilbert-Ash as the main contractor for a major reimagining of the landmark gallery on Royal Albert Dock.
Torsion forms JV to build £90m Leeds resi tower – Construction Enquirer
Torsion Group has formed a joint venture with CityLife to bring forward the 34-storey Sky Gardens development in Leeds Southbank.
Galliford Try to upgrade Red Arrows base – Construction Enquirer
Galliford Try has signed contracts with the MoD to provide new and refurbished infrastructure for the Red Arrows at their new home of RAF Waddington.
Plans in for £450m Coventry city centre regeneration – Construction Enquirer
Development partners, The Hill Group and Shearer Property Group, have submitted a reserved matters application for the first of two phases of the £450m City Centre South regeneration project.
Watkin Jones plans 36-storey Glasgow tower – Construction Enquirer
Developer/contractor Watkin Jones has submitted plans to build a high rise student flat block on the site of a former tax office in Glasgow.
RAAC: more than 100 schools ‘probably’ need full rebuild – Construction News
More than 100 schools are set to be completely rebuilt due to the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) crisis, the education secretary has said.
Berkeley halts investment in new development due to planning and regulation concerns – Building
Housebuilder to focus instead on “financial strength” in “volatile and unsupportive” operating environment
Civils firm near-doubles turnover to £222m – Construction News
The Lancashire-headquartered ground engineering specialist posted income of £221.6m for the 12 months ending 31 December 2022 – up 91 per cent from the year before.
Mace and CBRE join new Inclusive Growth Commission – Building
Mace, CBRE and Forth Ports are among major firms to have joined a new Inclusive Growth Commission which aims to provide practical solutions to the lack of growth in the UK economy.
Oxford North development site work pauses after worker death – Oxford Mail
Construction has paused on the £700 million development site where a worker fell to his death on Monday morning.
First demand-side companies show leadership as CCPI Supporters Launch – Specification
Leading contractors, developers and housebuilders have stepped up to support the Code for Construction Product Information (CCPI) and signed a pledge to work with their strategic suppliers and manufacturers to drive CCPI conformance and raise standards in the industry.
