Category: News
-
Persimmon launches home lab to trial construction tech
Persimmon has launched a three-storey ‘model home’ to trial new construction technologies and train its staff and supply chain. The facility is located at the developer’s Space4 factory in Castle Bromwich, West Midlands, and was built using modern methods of construction. The trial home’s Mauer brick facades were factory-fitted to the Space4 timber frame before…
-
Grenfell Tower: five architects shortlisted to design memorial
“We hope that bereaved families, survivors and those living close to Grenfell Tower, will feel able to participate in the selection of a design team and, later on, contribute to the co-design of the memorial, in whichever way feels appropriate and meaningful for them. This will ensure that the final design embodies a profound tribute…
-
Build UK issues clarification on fire safety standard update
Build UK has issued a statement after a BSI standard update caused confusion among its members. In November, BSI published BS 9991:2024 Fire safety in the design, management and use of residential buildings, which supersedes BS 9991:2015. However, the latest version of the standard does not reference the transitional arrangements for amendments to Approved Document…
-
Refurbishment of London’s iconic Hungerford Bridge begins
Network Rail kicked off works to refurbish the 161-year-old Hungerford railway bridge on Saturday (18 January). The structure takes trains over the River Thames between the South Bank, near Waterloo, and London Charing Cross station. The project, which will be carried out in two phases, involves engineers preparing and painting the bridge, testing the truss…
-
Charity fundraiser set up in memory of Balfour CIOB fellow
Former Balfour Beatty colleagues of CIOB fellow Lindsay McGibbon have set up an online charity fundraiser in his memory. McGibbon died earlier this month aged 57 after being diagnosed with cancer, CM understands. He was a senior executive at Balfour Beatty involved in the recently inaugurated Midland Metropolitan University Hospital. He had previously been managing…
-
Alan Titchmarsh calls for compensation over M25 junction roadworks
Matterson added: “Whilst we’re grateful for the new road and the positive difference it is now beginning to make following months of disruption, going back to our original objections it continues to be a flawed solution that increases car miles around junction 10 by some one million kilometres per annum, affecting the Special Protection Area.…
-
RIBA calls for principal contractors licencing scheme
“As the professional body for architects, we have taken significant steps since June 2017 to enhance training and education, including but not limited to our mandatory Health and Safety test and our Principal Designer Register. As recommended, we are reviewing these measures, ensuring our members maintain the highest standards of professional competence. View the original…
-
Housebuilder pauses construction to protect migrating birds
An affordable housebuilder has paused the construction of one of its developments to protect the local bird population. Vivid Homes said it stopped works at Victoria Quay in Portsmouth to avoid disrupting migrating birds that make the Solent coast their home during the winter, including Brent Geese, Redshanks, Oystercatchers and Lapwings. Brent Geese are protected…
-
Winners named for £800m Pagabo public sector framework
Several FM arms of tier 1 contractors are among the 27 companies appointed to a new public sector framework. The Total Facilities Management Framework has an estimated value of £814m and will run until January 2029 across eight UK areas. It will be managed by procurement provider Pagabo on behalf of contracting authority Red Kite…
-
BCIS forecasts 17% building costs increase over next five years
Dr David Crosthwaite, chief economist at BCIS, said: “Industry sentiment data continues to present positive readings, although since the autumn budget these are now less optimistic than at the time of our previous forecast in September, when the headline S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index reached a 29-month high. View the original article and…