🚉 Rail
In this week’s railway news, services are set to begin on a £57m Mid Cornwall Metro project. This will see a significantly improved train service between Newquay and Par that will run hourly, more than doubling the previous frequency. Meanwhile, Darlington station’s £140m redevelopment has opened, this includes two new platforms and a footbridge. Lastly, in the most significant rail news of the week, HS2 costs have risen to £102.7bn, with HS2 Ltd looking to ‘reset’ the project.
🛫Ports and Airports
In Northern Ireland, a £1.3bn investment in major works is planned at Belfast Harbour, with the aim to ensure that the port remains resilient, efficient and competitive. In other news, a rival proposal for Heathrow expansion would see a phased construction of a third runway at the Airport. The plan, endorsed by major airlines and aviation bodies, is in opposition to the airport’s own plan.
⚡Energy
In the energy sphere, a report has highlighted that construction costs at Sizewell C are likely to add £19 a year to household electricity bills by the time the new PowerStation opens. The estimated construction cost is £38bn. Elsewhere, Dalkia has won a contract to build a hydrogen plant in Barrow-in-Furness. The 30MW hydrogen plant will cost £50m and is being built for the Green Hydrogen Energy Company (GHECO). GHECO was formed by Schroders Greencoat and Carlton Power in 2023. Lastly, in Scotland, SSE is advancing an £80m Lochay hydro project, that will see the refurbishment of the historic site and extend its operational life by at least 40 years.
🚗 Roads
In highway news, road layout changes as part of a £32m A350 project have come into force, the Bumpers Farm roundabout on the road in Chippenham has been enlarged as part of an 18-month scheme. Elsewhere, Oxfordshire County Council has approved a quiet lanes programme, which aims to improve walking and cycling routes. The designated roads will see motor traffic restricted to make it safer for people to walk, wheel, cycle and horse ride. Lastly, HS2 viaducts are set to be installed over the M6 and M42. The planned works, starting in June, will see three huge structures built over the roads.
🏠Property and development
The Duchy of Cornwall is set to sell 20% of its property for housing and nature projects. The Duchy’s plans will see £500m invested in local communities, including affordable housing and environmental projects. In Birmingham, Lovell has signed a £1bn regeneration scheme. Focused on Druid’s Heath in the south of the city, the partnership will include the building of 3,500 new homes over a 20-year period, of which around half will be affordable homes. In Leeds, plans for 2,000 new homes have progressed with Homes England announcing it will provide a £16m infrastructure grant to Caddick Group to help deliver Leeds South Village.
💧Water
In the world of water, former Kier Chief Executive, Andrew Davies is set to be appointed as chair of Southern Water. Davies has already joined the water company’s board and will replace chair Keith Lough in July. Lastly, the UK government has set out its priorities as part of a refreshed flood resilience strategy, with an emphasis on surface water management and integrated planning across the water sector.