Welcome to the Friday Feed, our rundown of this week’s construction news
🚉 Rail
The UK Government has backed a £14bn plan to transform rail services in Wales, including plans for seven new stations and the aim of creating thousands of jobs. Immediate funding of £445m has been made available to start key projects. In the Midlands, regional transport leaders in the West Midlands have approved £50m in advance funding to start the Metro East Extension and upgrades to stations serving Villa Park, supporting regeneration plans and readiness for UEFA Euro 2028. The A47 Heartlands Parkway in Birmingham will close from this weekend for preparatory works as part of an 18-month replacement of Saltley Viaduct. Delivered by Balfour Beatty Vinci as part of HS2, the scheme will provide sufficient clearance for the new high-speed rail line.
⚡Energy
A new alliance of Welsh engineering and construction firms, called Celtico, has been launched to support renewable energy and low-carbon infrastructure projects across Wales, bringing together 12 companies to help accelerate the transition to net zero. The Nuclear Industry Association says Scotland has missed out on 5,000 nuclear jobs. The estimate comes from comparing job growth in the sector, with England seeing a larger increase in civil nuclear employment over the past decade.
🚗 Roads
In road news, government funding has been confirmed for the £200m Lincoln Relief Road, a new dual carriageway linking the A46 and A15. Delivered by Balfour Beatty, the scheme is expected to be completed in 2029. Elsewhere, Herefordshire Council has appointed AtkinsRealis to provide engineering services as part of a five-year contract. The contract will cover highway and active travel design, bridge inspections, flood modelling, and other engineering support for major infrastructure schemes. Also, WSP has agreed a new four-year extension with Leeds City Council, continuing their partnership fist formed in 2003. The consultancy will provide transport and highway services, including traffic management, engineering, and flood risk support.
🏠Property and development
Southern Construction Framework is undertaking early market engagement ahead of the launch of its £5.4bn sixth-generation framework, with supplier days scheduled in Exeter and Winchester in March to outline opportunities for contractors and suppliers. Also, Kier has secured a £120m contract to build the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh, which has faced delays after the existing facility was declared unfit for purpose in 2014.
💧Water
In water news, Thames Water has appointed Ferrovial to deliver an £80m upgrade of the Slough Sewage Treatment Works in Berkshire. The project, which is designed to expand treatment capacity and meet wastewater quality standards, entered the design phase in late 2025, with construction expected to begin in early 2027. Also, preliminary market engagement has begun for a new £90m coastal and flood works framework being developed by a group of councils in southern England. The Southern Coastal Group aims to launch the four-year framework in December 2026 to help local authorities deliver coastal resilience and flood risk management projects.
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