Welcome to the Friday Feed, our rundown of this week’s construction news
🚉 Rail
In the rail sector, a coastal defence project is underway to protect Felixstowe Warren. The scheme involves reinforcing the sea defences below the railway, with the first delivery of rocks arriving this week. A railway bridge demolition has been completed over the M6 as part of the ÂŁ60m renewal of a mainline near Penrith in Cumbria. A new bridge is set to be installed this weekend. Lastly, a ÂŁ500m Derby tram network has been proposed in response to a transport consultation initiated by East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA). The Light Rail Transit Association (LRTA) has drawn up detailed plans for construction of a tram network to serve the city.
🛫 Ports and Aviation
At Heathrow, Tritax London Logistics Fund has begun plans for a new facility, with a 122,400 sq. ft development which will be the first new air cargo facility delivered at the airport since 2006. Meanwhile, Heathrow airport is looking to investment ÂŁ1.3bn in 2026 to revamp Terminal 4 by building a new multi-storey car park and an upgraded check-in area. In the ports sector, the Port of Immingham is looking to build a wind turbine that will be nearly as tall as the Humber Bridge at just under 150m. Associated British Ports say the turbine forms part of a ÂŁ2bn, company-wide decarbonisation strategy.
⚡Energy
Gresham House Energy Storage has completed the purchase of two battery projects, the 240MW Cockenzie project in East Lothian and the 57MW Monet’s Garden project in North Yorkshire. Elsewhere, Orsted has completed the sale of a 50% stake in its 2900MW Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm to Apollo for over €5bn. The sale represents a key milestone in the Danish developer’s funding plan. Lastly, a carbon capture company has received nearly £1m in backing from South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE). It allows The Carbon Removers to launch a major fundraising drive towards its aim of removing one million tonnes of carbon every year by 2030.
đźš— Roads
In the roads sector, Council pothole compensation claims have risen by 90% in three years. Rising from 27,731 in 2021 to 53,015 in 2024, according to a new report from the RAC. National Highways has expressed safety concerns over plans for new £50m M27 services area near Fareham. The agency fears the scheme could interfere with the “safe and efficient operation” of the M27. Lastly, the A9 funding announcement is due later this month. Transport Scotland has confirmed the government will announce funding for the delayed Inverness-Perth dualling programme during the Budget on 13 January.
🏠Property and development
Developer Muse has been picked to lead the 10,000-home Bristol Temple Quarter plan, which will also include a large commercial development, public realm improvements and transport upgrades around the city’s main rail hub. Nottingham Forest is planning a City Ground expansion increasing the size of the stadium from 30,445 seats to around 52,000. The club’s owner said he was planning to deliver a sustainable and iconic stadium expansion that will be an integral part of the economic growth of the city and the wider region. Similar plans have also been given permission in Leeds, for an Elland Road expansion. Lastly, Kier is targeting growth with a new infrastructure division. The new division will combine the firm’s transportation, natural resources and nuclear teams across major project delivery, maintenance and repair.
đź’§Water
In the water sector, the boss of Essex & Suffolk Water says new reservoirs are needed to address demand as the company plans for two new reservoirs and a water recycling plant in Suffolk. A £10.9bn Somerset tidal power proposal could bring flood defence, social and transport benefits; with the organisation behind the 2,500MW capacity powerplant saying their plan will bring a wealth of benefits to the Minehead area. Lastly, Scottish Water has confirmed its preferred bidders for a multi-billion pound investment that will transform the country’s public assets. Firms were invited to bid to deliver schemes to enhance Scotland’s water and wastewater infrastructure over the period 2027 to 2033, with a potential extension for a further six years.
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