š Rail
In this weekās rail sector news, the UKās first electrified rail test loop has opened. The test track at the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre in Warwickshire is part of the redevelopment of the site by Porterbrook, which has invested more than Ā£75m to create a 135-acre world-leading facility. In London, an extension to the DLR could start construction in 2029, with Transport for London outlining plans. The work includes tunnelling under the River Thames with two 1.5 km tunnels. Finally, Network Rail has launched a Ā£64m tender for Transpennine Route Upgrade tunnel works between Stalybridge and Huddersfield. The contract will cover tunnel track lowering, slab track installation and gauge clearance works.
š« Ports & Aviation
In aviation news, Gatwick has picked 11 firms for a Ā£2bn airport upgrade, the companies include a variety of major tier 1s and several regional specialists. Together they will support pier refurbishments, installation of electric vehicle charging stations and upgrades to terminal facilities. Coventry Airport has seen its final commercial flight land before it closes to be redeveloped into the Ā£2.5bn Greenpower Park. The pop group Take That were the last passengers to fly into the airport after 90 years of operation. Meanwhile, in ports news, ABP is set to create hundreds of jobs after securing a Ā£300m finance deal which will accelerate growth plans in the area.
ā”Energy
This weekās energy sector news includes nuclear work pushing Altradās growth, from contracts including maintenance work. The UK arm of the French industrial services group posted revenue for 2025 of Ā£550.8m, up 13.1% from Ā£486.9m in 2024. At Sizewell C, Chief Executive Nigel Cann has outlined plans to maximise offsite working. He told MPs on the Public Accounts Committee this week that productivity was a key risk to the budget of the scheme. At the Spiorad na Mara offshore wind farm, plans have been lodged for onshore facilities in Lewis. The proposed scheme could generate enough power to meet the annual electricity needs of 1.2m homes and would be built about three to eight miles off the west coast of Lewis.
š Roads
Looking at the roads sector, an extra Ā£174m has been earmarked for the Lower Thames Crossing, with over Ā£3bn of public money now due to be spent on the project. The proposed road tunnel between Kent and Essex is estimated to have higher costs per mile than HS2. In the East Midlands, a Ā£298m transport package promises ābetter buses and safer streetsā. The funding from the East Midlands Combined County Authority Board will pay for new electric buses, upgraded bus stations, safer active travel routes and improved real-time travel information. In Gloucestershire, the Ā£407m M5 Junction 10 motorway improvements scheme is getting ready to start. This follows Gloucestershire County Councilās cabinet approval being granted in a meeting this week.
š Property and development
In west London a developer is being sought for a Ā£475m Feltham barracks scheme. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation within the Ministry of Defence has started looking for a development partner to deliver a mixed-tenure residential scheme on the former military site. At the former Cambridge Airport site; plans for 10,000 homes are being drawn up. The National Housing Bank and The Hill Group have completed the acquisition of Cambridge East, a strategic site that will bring homes, thousands of jobs and a new community. A redevelopment of Crewe hospital has gotten the green light. Plans for the Ā£1.3bn redevelopment of Leighton Hospital have gained planning consent. The planning application includes the replacement of the ageing hospital with a 1.2m sq ft hospital built to the north of the existing site.
š§Water
Lastly, in the water sector, Barhale has been awarded a Ā£16m Scarborough reservoir contract by Yorkshire Water. The four-year scheme, awarded as part of Yorkshire Waterās AMP8 programme, will deliver a new service reservoir to safeguard water supplies for properties in and around the town. Further South, Severn Trent has given Tracto a āpipe burstingā contract. The trenchless technique sees a new pipe pushed through an old pipe, āburstingā the old infrastructure into the surrounding ground and replacing it with a new pipe, without the need for digging. Lastly, in Wales a Ā£44.7m enforcement package has been accepted to help deal with wastewater failures in Wales.