Large energy projects are notorious for difficult designs. Often, the energy generation solutions are innovative, the materials and technologies involved are new and the local geography is challenging.
The technology earmarked for the project also frequently moves on during the construction phase, necessitating changes to the project plan. The specialist equipment…
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Movers and shakers: Biggest construction and engineering appointments in August 2023
Before the return of Parliament and new work ramping up, organisations including Buro Happold, Kier, Network Rail, the UK Atomic Energy Authority and more have made significant appointments.
A round up of the biggest moves and appointments during August follows below. To feature on next month’s appointments roundup email robert.hakimian@emap.com. Buro…
Planned merger of R&D schemes could remove construction innovation incentive
UK research and development (R&D) is about to suffer a major setback. The government has shared an outline of new draft legislation on the proposed merging of the two existing R&D schemes and, while in principle the idea is sound, the industry has some major concerns.
For context, there are currently…
Sisk heading to court in ‘high seven figure’ dispute over designs for bridges over DLR and Jubilee line
Berkeley Homes and John Sisk & Son (Sisk) could be heading back to the Technology and Construction Court over a dispute surrounding alleged omissions and errors in designs in bridges over the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and Jubilee line with a claim value of “high seven figures” attached.
The potential return…
Achieving circularity in construction hinges on genuine accountability
In my 12 years of experience in the construction industry, I've often heard concerns about inadequate construction waste management. Despite claims of a 99% diversion from landfill rate, industry insiders know that the actual rate is much lower. This discrepancy is attributed to the manual, labour-intensive and error-prone waste management…
DfE reports poor workmanship and fire safety issues in closed modular schools
The Department for Education (DfE) has said that fire and structural safety issues were its main concerns in the closed schools built by Caledonian Modular and has alerted other government departments.
Following on from this week’s closures of Sir Frederick Gibberd College in Harlow and Haygrove School in Somerset, the DfE…
NHS backs Caledonian Modular facility as variety of potentially affected buildings becomes clear
The NHS has reported no issues with a facility that was constructed by Caledonian Modular, but the list of potentially faulty projects from the defunct contractor in both public and private sectors is emerging.
Caledonian Modular was a modular construction company that went into administration in March 2022 under a £20M…
‘Structural irregularities’ in closed Harlow school likely from contractor issues, not modular methods
The sudden closure of a £29M modular-built school in Essex due to structural issues is unlikely to be an indication of flaws with modular construction, the Modular and Portable Building Association (MPBA) has said.
Only three years on from its completion, Sir Frederick Gibberd College in Harlow announced this week that…
New study shows low cost sensors can pinpoint air pollution on construction sites
A new study conducted by the University of Birmingham has discovered that low cost sensing technologies can be used to pinpoint and quantify sources of air pollution on construction sites.
Using the High Speed 2 (HS2) construction site at Curzon Street in Birmingham to test the new methodology, the study demonstrates…
Investigation reveals improvement in prompt payment of invoices by HS2
High Speed 2 (HS2) Ltd has paid 97% of its invoices within 30 days during the last 12 months, showing an improvement from its 92% rate in 2021, according to a Freedom of Information request by NCE.
As per contract arrangements, HS2 Ltd is committed to prompt payment which means it…