Sector Guidance for Easing Lockdown

New guidance has been published by the Scottish Government to help retailers and manufacturers to consider safely returning to work, with updated guidance for the construction industry publishing later in the week.

The new documents, which are amongst the first for a number of specific sectors, have been developed in partnership with business, trade unions and regulators in order to provide the best advice on essential equipment and services which are needed to create the conditions for a safer workplace.

Businesses and companies are expected to undertake a robust risk management approach, which has been developed and maintained through joint working with employees. This will also offer assurances to workers when the time is right to return to work.

Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said:

“Many businesses have been adapting to new ways of working with a significant proportion of staff working from home. While many people will continue with this, there are areas where it is not possible. We are listening to how businesses have made changes and in discussion with them to see how these changes can be safely applied to allow reopening.

“We’ve been working in partnership with industry, trades unions and regulators in around 14 sectors and will publish more sector-specific guidance over the next few weeks. However, I want to be clear that the journey doesn’t end once the guidance is published. This is just the starting point and these documents will continually evolve, where required, based on public health evidence and feedback from industry and trade unions.

“Guidance on its own, will not create safe working environments. We continue to work closely with the key enforcement agencies – the Health and Safety Executive, local authorities and Police Scotland – to ensure a joined up approach to the enforcement and monitoring of workplace public health measures.

“We are already supporting businesses through our unique package of support totalling £2.38 billion which reflects the specific needs of our economy. Our recovery will be an opportunity to renew our economy and build our resilience and future prosperity.”

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Kier Appointed to Heartlands Hospital Project

Keir are pleased to announce that they have been appointed to deliver the £97.1 million Heartlands Hospital Project. The construction and infrastructure services organisation have been appointed to the project by University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.

The project, which will see a new Ambulatory Care and Diagnostics Centre (ACAD), has been procured via the P22 Framework, and it will include the construction of a new 18,000m sq four-storey building that, when competed, will provide a wide range of first-class facilities for the hospital, including 120 consultation rooms, 26 specialist audiology and ear nose and throat rooms, ultrasound and X-Ray rooms, along with CT and MRI scanners.

The new ACAD building will care for 500,000 (half a million) patients per year, and has also been designed to provide a new, modern and spacious environment, which is purpose built to mee the needs of patients, and will include dementia friendly and accessible design features.

Work is set to start on-site in summer of this year (2020), with the project due for completion in 2022.

Managing Director at Keir Regional Building Central, Mark Pausey said: “The new facility will provide patients first-class facilities and modernised healthcare services. We have a breadth of experience in successfully delivering projects throughout the P22 Framework, and, have worked with many NHS Trusts throughout the country, we look forward to bringing this expertise to the project.”

This is the second project that Keir are working on to transform healthcare facilities. The company is also currently on-site delivering the transformation at Heatherwood Hospital. The £98 million project aims to provide first-class facilities for Ascot and the surrounding area, with the site set to specialise in planned, non-emergency procedures.

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Project to Reduce Flooding to Begin June

An annual scheme to replenish Lincolnshire’s beaches is set to get underway in June 2020. The scheme will help reduce the risk of flooding up and down the coast.

The Environment Agency’s beach management scheme is worth £7 million, and sees sand being dredged from the seabed and pumped onto the beach to replace levels which are lost to the sea during the winter months.

The replenishment of the sand means that the beaches – instead of hard defence like sea walls – will take the brunt of the waves’ force and energy. This also reduces the amount of damage and erosion to the hard defences. This method has helped to protect 20,000 homes and businesses, 24,500 static caravans and 35,000 hectares of land from flooding.

Deborah Campbell, East Coast Flood Risk Manager for the Environment Agency, said:

“This vital work reduces the risk of flooding to homes and businesses on the coast, and we’re delighted it is able to go ahead in line with the government’s coronavirus guidance. All our staff, contractors and partners will practice social distancing and follow Public Health England’s guidance for safe working.

And as well as helping to protect people from flooding, the work will also help maintain our beloved sandy beaches, so they will be ready to welcome back locals and tourists alike, when it’s safe for visitors to return.

Meanwhile, while people remain at home, we’d remind you to please sign up for free flood warnings at www.gov.uk/flood to help protect your families if flooding is expected.”

Over the next six weeks more than 40,000 cubic metres of sand is to be pumped back into beaches between Saltfleet and Gibraltar Point, with key areas including Trusthorpe, Mablethorpe, Ingoldmells, Trunch Lane, Wolla Bank, Chapel Six Marshes and Hutofft, with local people who may want to visit the beaches being asked to stay clear of any worksites.

The Environment Agency has been restoring sand levels on the Lincolnshire coast each year since 1994, and, while the work continues to be effective, long-term estimates suggest that the impacts of climate change will mean continuing to use sand alone as a method of managing flood risk will not be sustainable.

A new strategy has been developed, and, based on the results of a public consultation held last year, several options for managing the coast in the future have been taken forward. More information on the draft strategy can be found on our Saltfleet to Gibraltar Point and Lincolnshire beach management website.

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Mixed Use Scheme at Historic Mill

A grade II-listed site of one of the oldest ceramic firms in Stoke-on-Trent is set for a new lease of life as a mixed-use destination thanks to the approval of plans.

Aynsley Mill, located on Sutherland Road, Longton, has been approved to be turned into a mixed use scheme, which will see the building converted to provide space for business, general industrial, storage or distribution, shops and assembly and leisure uses.

London-based Purcla Ltd is behind the application, which is set to create 21 jobs, along with a total of 103 car parking spaces.

The site being transformed is the former home of Aynsley China, which closed the factory in 2014, with a loss of 41 jobs. The organisation was originally established in 1775, and, had been on the site since 1875.

A statement from Purcla Ltd to Stoke-on-Trent City Council said: “The proposal ensure(s) the delivery of commercial growth in the town centre that mirrors the aims and objectives of the core strategy.

“The proposal has a high positive impact upon the welfare of the people attending the gym and pole fitness units on the sire and give people a focus and ensures spiritual wellbeing for members, as well as a base to form friendships.

“The reuse of a redundant building in a sustainable location will bring benefit in terms of its position next to local transport hubs and in doing so preserving an important piece of architectural history in Longton for future generations.”

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Willmott Dixon Gain Planning Permission

A new mixed-use development consisting of 112 new homes at 300 Harrow Road has been granted planning permission from Westminster City Council.

The scheme is being delivered by Willmott Dixon and will be made up of one, two and three bedroom homes in order to suite a variety of households, with 50% being affordable, social or intermediate rent, which means a wide range of people will have the opportunity to live in the centre of London.

Along with the new housing, the mixed-use development will also see 1,400 square metres of community facilities delivered, including a new community hall, nursery, flexible workspace, and a canal-side café. It will also see an improvement in the surrounding green space, by activating the area and giving residents easy access to Regents Canal.

Willmott Dixon are working in partnership with architect Child Graddon Lewis, the organisations previously worked together on Westminster’s award-nominated Dudley House, a development of 197 affordable homes which was launched in Paddington basin in 2019.

Cllr Melvyn Caplan, Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Regeneration and Deputy Leader of Westminster City Council, said “The planning approval for 300 Harrow Road is another important step towards us delivering 1,850 new affordable homes as part of our plan to make Westminster a City for All, where people from all economic backgrounds can live, work and thrive in our city.

“Set against the backdrop of place shaping work in the wider Harrow Road neighbourhood, 300 Harrow Road is an investment in our community. By delivering this new development, we are connecting our residents with the vibrancy and opportunity Westminster has to offer.”

The scheme will deliver modern housing, which are also environmentally sustainable, with each home having an air source heat pump, with residents also benefitting from solar panels, rainwater collection, and living roofs, which will see a reduction in carbon emissions and overall lower energy costs.

Chris Tredget, managing director for Willmott Dixon in London and East said: “We’re looking forward to getting started on site now that planning permission has been given. Everyone is proud of what a positive impact Dudley House had in providing much needed new homes for people in Westminster and the same team are now focused on doing exactly the same at 300 Harrow Road, which will further stimulate growth in the local economy and bring new jobs, especially during the construction phase when we’ll be buying local whenever we can.”

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£220m Sheffield Hallam University Development

Asite has been chosen as the Common Data Environment (CDE) solutions for Sheffield Hallam University’s development project to improve its estate.

Sheffield Hallam is aiming to become the world’s leading applied university, and it has unveiled its 20-year masterplan to transform its campus, with Asite being chosen as CDE provider for the initial phase of works.

This initial phase will be delivered over the next five years, and, will include new buildings for the university’s Business School and social sciences, as well as a refurbishment of the Students Union building which is known as The HUB, along with creating a University Green and improving the current estate. The multi-year contract will also see Asite supporting the regeneration and development of the university, along with the wider region.

Asite SVP for the UK and Europe Rob Clifton, said: “Asite has always prided itself on its facilitative relationship with universities and higher education institutions in the UK and on supporting the development of a strong educational infrastructure, both in terms of the built environment and resources.

“The regeneration project at Sheffield Hallam University presents a significant opportunity for the university to enhance its presence and position itself as a leading international institution.

“As Asite moves to become the leading integrated supply chain solution for infrastructure projects around the world, we are excited to be a part of such a bold redevelopment mission.”

The platform which Asite produces will allow the estate to store and manage its data and project management information in a centralised repository. It will also support protocol standardisation across management teams and through the lifecycle and will allow for enhanced privacy and visibility of records at role, distribution group and organisation level.

Sheffield Hallam University will implement the platform across their projects at RIBA Stage 0-7 which will enhance document, workflow and information management best practices, and ensure compliance with international BIM standards – ISO 19650 – published last year.

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CICV Welcome Return to Work in Scotland

The Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum has welcomed the first steps to get the sector back to work in Scotland, announced by First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, last week (May 21^st).

The CICV have also insisted that health, safety, and collaboration must be at the forefront of the phased return. The collective which has been working towards a restart with a number of bodies, including the Construction Leadership Forum, commented after the Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland would get the ball rolling on reopening construction sites by the end of this week (May 28^th, 2020), alongside other measures.

Under the phased return to work being introduced, business will be allowed to resume working on sites, based on the six-point plan the Scottish Government developed with the industry. Collaboration and cooperation with businesses and trade unions are important to ensure a safe return to work for all.

The key focus of on safety has been promoted by the Forum, which has also successfully produced a wide range of industry advice on how sites can operate in a safe manner during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vaughan Hart, Managing Director of Forum member the Scottish Building Federation, said: “The shutdown in Scotland has been one of the biggest challenges the sector has ever faced and, while we wholeheartedly welcome the return to work, it must be carried out in the proper manner.

“This means that the health and safety of operatives is paramount, and the correct guidance and procedures must be adhered to at every phase of the proposed route map. The Forum has been at the forefront of helping the industry by clarifying advice and this effort will now come into its own.”

The Forum also has plans to release more guidance in order to help business owners, contractors and apprentices through each stage of their phased return, with advice for construction sites, domestic work and colleges also being available.

Alan Wilson, Chair of the CICV Forum and Managing Director of SELECT, the electrotechnical trade body for Scotland, said: “This is the news we have been waiting for and it has not come a moment too soon.

“We all understand the reasons why Scotland has been in virtual shutdown since March, and we all need to work together to assist the sector as it faces an uphill struggle to recover.”

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6000 New Homes to Help End Rough Sleeping

New plans to provide thousands of long-term, safe homes for vulnerable rough sleepers during the COVID-19 pandemic was revealed on Sunday (May 24^th, 2020) by Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick MP.

This ambitious commitment – which is the biggest of its kind since the Government launched its Rough Sleeping Initiative – is to be backed by £160 million in 2020, and will also support the thousands of rough sleepers that are currently relying on emergency housing, and will enable them to move on to more sustainable, long-term housing.

By accelerating the plans for the £381 million announcement for rough sleeping services at the Budget in March 2020, the funding will ensure that 6,000 new housing units will be put into the system, with 3,300 of these being made available within the next 12 months.

In addition to the accelerating this capital spend for investment in housing stock, the UK Government are is also increasing the revenue support of the total programme by 37%, in order to make sure that rough sleepers have the support they need to stay off the streets for good.

Once they are in their new homes, rough sleepers will be supported by specialist staff in order to access the help the need, such as mental health support, or, substance abuse support, so they can rebuild their lives and move towards getting into either training, or back into the workplace.

As part of this commitment, Homes England, in partnership with Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has pledged to work hand-in-hand with leading housing associations and local authorities to fast-track thousands of units of longer-term accommodation for rough sleepers needed now.

Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick MP said:

“We have offered accommodation to over 90% of known rough sleepers in order to help them stay safe during the pandemic. This has been possible because of an incredible effort by the government, councils and charities. Thousands of lives have been protected as a result of the shared commitment to protect the most vulnerable in our society throughout this national emergency and we continue to fund this vital project.

This government wants to end rough sleeping for good, and we now have a real opportunity to deliver on this moral mission. I’m backing this effort with £433 million to fast-track the longer-term and safe accommodation needed to ensure as few rough sleepers as possible return to the streets. This is an unprecedented commitment – the most ambitious of its kind and the single biggest injection of specialist accommodation since the rough sleepers initiative began.”

This will be completely transformative and changes the lives of thousands of rough sleepers for the better.”

Over the next few weeks, the Government will work in partnership with local councils, local leaders and the property sector to make sure the new generation of housing for some of the most vulnerable in society is delivered as quickly as possible. Interim accommodation is also being committed by the YHA, the YMCA and some universities. The taskforce will also continue to work with partners on this so no one has to go back onto the streets.

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YHA Framework Winners Revealed

The five winners of the £300 million Yorkshire Highways Alliance Framework (YHA) have been selected. The contract will see highways planning and surfacing work being done throughout the region.

The contract is led by North Yorkshire County, and includes the councils of Bradford, Leeds, Wakefield, Kirklees Council, York and Calderdale. The framework is also divided into six lots, by region and value, with five of the 6 lots having the same members: Cemex UK, Galliford Try Infrastructure, Hanson Contracting, Lane Rental Services, Tarmac Trading and Thomas Bow.

The sixth lot includes Colas and DSD Construction, but not Lane Rental Services.

YHA Carriageway Planning and Surfacing Contractors Framework 2020 – full list:

Lot 1: up to £500,000 – Craven, Harrogate, Richmondshire and Selby

• Cemex UK
• Galliford Try Infrastructure
• Hanson Contracting
• Lane Rental Services
• Tarmac Trading
• Thomas Bow

Lot 2: up to £500,000 – Hambleton, Ryedale, Scarborough and York

• Cemex UK
• Galliford Try Infrastructure
• Hanson Contracting
• Lane Rental Services
• Tarmac Trading
• Thomas Bow

Lot 3: up to £500,000 – Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield

• Cemex UK
• Galliford Try Infrastructure
• Hanson Contracting
• Lane Rental Services
• Tarmac Trading
• Thomas Bow

Lot 4: £500,000 to £2m – North Yorkshire and York

• Cemex UK
• Galliford Try Infrastructure
• Hanson Contracting
• Lane Rental Services
• Tarmac Trading
• Thomas Bow

Lot 5: £500,000 to £2m – Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield

• Cemex UK
• Galliford Try Infrastructure
• Hanson Contracting
• Lane Rental Services
• Tarmac Trading
• Thomas Bow

Lot 6: £2m to £6m – North Yorkshire, York, Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield

• Cemex UK
• Galliford Try Infrastructure
• Colas
• DSD Construction
• Hanson Contracting
• Tarmac Trading
• Thomas Bow

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£1bn Trans-Pennine Dualling Route Announced

The route for the £1 billion Trans-Pennine dualling transformation has been announced. The new announcement also reveals the list of improvements Highways England wants to take into construction.

The A66 links the M6 at Penrith, Cumbria to the A1(M) at Scotch Corner, North Yorkshire, and is a key route and nationally important road. The works will not only benefit local residents, but the upgrade will also support tourism and freight traffic. Along with this, the road will also improve connections between ports in Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as those in England at both Hull and Felixstowe.

Grant Shapps, UK Transport Secretary, said: “As we gradually reopen our society, we want to ensure communities across the North are able to benefit from smoother, safer and better-connected journeys.

“Upgrading this vital national link will not only level up infrastructure in the region but will deliver benefits up and down the country – supporting tourism and movement between our key ports.”

The proposals, announced on 25 May 2020, are the most popular options from those who responded to last year’s huge public consultation. They include five new bypasses, key junction improvements and an underpass at the often congested Kemplay Bank roundabout, which is located near Penrith.

Along with creating an underpass instead of a flyover at Kemplay Bank, Highways England is proposing the following options to bypass the existing sections of the route, or provide dualling alongside the existing single carriageway road:

• A northern bypass of a three-mile section between Penrith and Temple Sowerby
• The northern bypass option for Kirkby Thore
• The more northerly of two options bypassing Crackenthorpe
• Taking forward the single option to dual a five-mile section between Appleby and Brough alongside the existing section of single carriageway
• Similarly, converting a 1.9-mile section of the route north of Bowes – the current, single carriageway Bowes bypass – into a dual carriageway
• A bypass south of the Old Rectory between Cross Lane and Rokeby instead of a conversion which would have required demolishing buildings
• The most northerly of three bypass options linking sections of existing dual carriageway between Stephen Bank and Carkin Moor.

Mike Townsend, Highways England’s Senior Project Manager, said: “We are delighted more than 92% of people backed the idea of completing the dualling of the A66. Since the consultation ended ten months ago, we have carefully considered all public responses. We have revisited issues such as the environmental impact of each option, how we can reconnect communities currently separated by the existing road and how to improve the route for pedestrians and cyclists.

“The options we have revealed are the ones we want to take forward into construction, but they were also the most popular among people who responded in the consultation.

“We feel the proposals reflect our and the Government’s visions of a Northern Trans-Pennine route fit for the rest of the century. They also reflect the aspirations of the majority of people, including a diverse range of interest groups, who engaged with us in many months of discussion or gave us their views during the consultation.”

These proposals also include a number of significant improvements to the existing junctions between Barnard Castle and the A66 at Bowes and Rokeby. These will also improve safety at the two junctions, and make for safer, smoother journeys for HGVs.

The preferred options will now go into a period of further analysis, development and design, before a second public consultation and scrutiny period next year. Highways England also announced on 25 May that the £45 million design contract for the project, which was put out to tender in October, has been awarded to Amey Consulting in collaboration with Arup.Further information on the project can be found on the project website.

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D2N2 Provide £4m for Station Masterplan

D2N2 is to provide almost £4 million in funding to aid the Chesterfield Station masterplan. D2N2 has approved a grant of £3.8 million toward the construction of the Hollis Lane Link Road in Chesterfield.

The project, which is worth £7.42 million, will form part of the masterplan, and will bring forward wholescale regeneration and supporting sustainable economic growth in the centre of the town. The new regeneration will include new commercial developments, along with significantly improved connectivity.

D2N2 are funding the project through its Local Growth Fund allocation, an investment programme to support projects which aim to benefit the regional economy. The funding for the Hollis Lane Link Road follows on from similar awards for infrastructure projects which benefit Chesterfield residents, including the A61 Corridor, HS2-related developments, and the Chesterfield Higher Level Skills Centre, which are worth a combined £10.57 million.

Elizabeth Feagan, D2N2 Chair said: “Our investment into the construction of the Hollis Lane Link Road will be another important milestone for Chesterfield’s regeneration ambitions, bringing significant growth and investment opportunities whilst creating more homes, jobs, and learning places.

“D2N2 is pleased to support investment in our town centres to stimulate economic growth which will be central to supporting the region’s recovery from the impact of Covid-19.”

The new link road will extend from the junction of Hollis Land and Spa Land, and, will terminate at the southern extent of the Chesterfield Station car park, providing direct access to the railway station from the South.

Cllr Simon Spencer, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Infrastructure said: “The Hollis Lane Link is a great example of the ambitious work now being undertaken by the Joint Growth Board.

“It is a key part of the Chesterfield Masterplan which will bring a range of economic benefits to the town and surrounding area.”

Cllr Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “The Hollis Lane Link road adds value to the work we are already doing on the emerging station masterplan, which is a significant project for Chesterfield and northern Derbyshire’s economy.

“We are in the process of finalising the station master plan and will be undertaking public consultation later this year.”

“The station masterplan will define our aspirations for the economic future of the area and we continue to work closely with partner agencies to maximise this huge opportunity for Chesterfield Borough and beyond.”

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Go-Ahead for HS2 Train Station

Planners have been given the go-ahead to begin work on the UK’s largest ever railway station, HS2’s West London super hub, Old Oak Common. Work is due to start on the project next month, June 2020, and will be conducted by joint venture contractors Balfour Beatty, Vinci and Systra.

The station, which will be the largest new railway station ever built in the UK, will have 14 platforms, comprising six high speed and eight conventional platforms, and an 850m long station box, with a volume that will fit 6,300 Routemaster buses.

Old Oak Common station will also include striking design features, such as a sequence of interlocking curved roof forms, which have been designed to enhance the open environment of the station, and which will also provide natural ventilation.

When the station is operational, it is expected that it will be used by around 250,000 passengers each day and is set to become one of the busiest railway stations in the UK. The HS2 station will also be a catalyst and gateway for Old Oak and Park Royal, which is one of the largest regeneration sites in the UK.

HS2 Station Director Matthew Botelle said: “Building a new railway station for the UK on this scale and size will be an incredible achievement for British engineering.

“HS2 is set to be a catalyst to transform this area of West London, making it one of the best-connected development sites in the UK. We will continue to work with OPDC and other local partners to ensure tat this opportunity is maximised to its full potential.”

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Funding for North Somerset Cycle Scheme

Highways England are investing in the picturesque 24-mile North Somerset coastal cycle way. Since 2015, Highways England has invested more than £85 million into the creation of more than 160 new and upgraded cycle ways throughout England.

Thanks to this massive investment from the Government body, there are now more safe, attractive and accessible facilitates for those who use their bikes to get to work, go for shopping, or for leisure purposes.

Cyclists, pedestrians, and horse riders will see more benefits over the next five years, with £169 million in funds set aside as part of Highways England’s new Users and Communities fund. The organisation is using the funding to improve services for users and neighbours of England’s motorways and major A-roads and includes an increase in options for people who want to travel in a more sustainable way.

Latest funding, which was announced on Wednesday, May 21^st, 2020 includes £1.3 million to help create a path between Weston-Super-Mare and Clevedon and to complete the final part of the cycle route between Brean and Portishead in the South West.

Currently, those who want to cycle between the two towns must negotiate a motorway junction, along with a busy A road. However, the new section will remove these challenges, and will add to the mix of quiet lanes, dedicate cycle facilities and a crossing of the River Yeo on the route. It also looks to reduce the distance to travel between the two towns by around four miles for those not in vehicles, and, will provide a vital link between existing routes.

Funding from Highways England has also helped to create safer routes for cyclists around the A540 near Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, the A64 near Musley Bank and Tadcaster Bar and the M11 near London Stansted Airport, where cyclists who are commuting to the airport previously had to navigate the hazardous J8.

Chris Heaton-Harris, Cycling and Walking Minister, said: “Across the country there has been a surge in the numbers of people getting on their bikes or walking as part of their daily exercise, and I want to build on this with our recently announced £2 billion investment to create a green legacy.

“This 24-mile coastal cycleway will provide a great space for cyclists, walkers and horse riders and help them boost their physical and mental health. Cutting the journey between Weston-Super-Mare and Clevedon by four miles will also make this journey more accessible and help cut road traffic.”

Highways England manage four designated funds, which are allocated by the Government , to deliver benefits above and beyond building, maintaining and operating England’s strategic roads.

Steven Wright, Highways England’s Users and Communities Fund lead, said: “We’re committed to significantly improving safety across our road network, and the new and improved cycle and footpaths will make it much easier and safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

“At Highways England, our work goes beyond operating, maintaining and improving roads. We’re investing in the environment and communities surrounding our network, as well as the people travelling and working on it. We aim to address social and environmental issues and add real value to society.

“We’re delighted to be partnering with North Somerset Council to realise this project – a glowing example of how this funding can make life better for communities living and working near our roads.”

Highways England has also invested £1.3 million into North Somerset Council’s £2.09 million projects to create a new mile-long walking and cycling path between Weston-Super-Mare and Clevedon, to the west of the M5 motorway.

This will not only see a reduction in traffic around the M5 J21, and on the motorway, but it will also bring about a growth in the use of sustainable transport, improved air quality and a healthier society in general.

North Somerset Council executive member for transport, Cllr James Tonkin, said: “This funding from Highways England is fantastic news. Building a Weston to Clevedon cycleway is a long-held aspiration for the council, first proposed back in 1979.

“It will give a quiet, safer route for cyclists, avoiding the busy A370 and M5 junction 21. It will be designed to accommodate disabled people and will have health and environmental benefits by encouraging an active lifestyle and reducing travel by car.”

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Ground Investigation for Lowestoft Flood Barriers

The £67 million Lowestoft flood risk management project run by Balfour Beatty had moved a step closer to the start of construction.

Balfour Beatty is to begin construction in the autumn on a new tidal barrier and raised new or improved tidal flood walls to provide protection from flooding from the sea, with a target completion date of 2023. In December 2013 tidal surge caused 160 homes and businesses in Lowestoft to be flooded, with road and rail networks also disrupted.

The area at risk of flooding encompasses the area from the Outer Harbour entrance through Lake Lothing to the A1117 Bridge Road crossing and Mutforld Lock which also forms the boundary with Oulton Broad.

Ground investigation work are to last for 6 weeks approximately, and they will also include small scale coring work and drilling of small-bore holes around the Royal Norfolk & Suffolk Yacht Club, ABP Land and within the Hamilton Road area.

Funding for the £67 million project comes from the UK Government’s Flood Defence Grant in Aid, which is administered by the Environment Agency, along with the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, Regional Flood and Coastal Committee Local Levy, Anglian Water, Suffolk City Council and East Suffolk Council.

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Kier Reappointed to £1.2 Billion Framework

Kier are pleased to announce that they have been reappointed to the £1.2 billion hub South West Framework in Scotland.

The hub South West Framework covers Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway, and, over the next four years, the public/private partnership (PPP) will provide a collaborative vehicle for organisations throughout the South West of Scotland to procure community infrastructure across multiple sectors, including:

• Education
• Leisure
• Health
• Early years, and
• Housing

Kier have been part of the framework since 2012 and have delivered £175 million worth or projects in that time, including the new Ayr Academy, Marr College and Cumbernauld Community Enterprise Development. Most recently, Kier have completed Queen Margaret Academy, which was officially opened by Deputy First Minster of Scotland, John Swinney, In March 2020.

Gary Wintersgill, managing director for Kier Regional Building North & Scotland, states: “We are delighted to have been reappointed to the hub South West framework, which remains fundamental to our growth plans in Scotland.

“We have a fantastic track record on this framework, working collaboratively with the hub South West team and local clients to deliver some first-rate projects. As we move in to the next iteration of this forward-thinking framework, we will continue to look at ways we can engage with local communities, to provide training and job opportunities, as we look to leave lasting legacies in areas within which we build.”

Michael McBrearty, Chief Executive, hub South West Scotland Ltd added:

“As we look forward hub South West will harness the opportunities that developing high quality social infrastructure provides to secure, uniquely, real social impact and value for money through procurement, locality of the supply chain and by driving sustainability through our development and delivery.

“Our ability to deliver these objectives is best served we believe, by working in partnership with the highest quality contracting businesses in the country.

“We are delighted, therefore, to renew our relationship with Kier and look forward to continuing to deliver the best facilities and opportunities to our communities in the South West of Scotland.”

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Spike in Construction Job Numbers

New figures from the CV-Library has shown that job postings were up by 0.7% following Prime Minister, Boris Johnson’s, announcement that key industries could return to work. With the construction industry, up by 36.8%, experiencing a massive increase.

The job board also looked at the amount of jobs that were posted on the w/c May 11^th, 2020, in comparison to those posted w/c May 4^th, 2020, and found that the construction sector experienced the second biggest hike in vacancies week-on-week:

1. Agriculture +124.1%
2. Property +47%
3. Manufacturing +42.9%
4. Customer Service +38.9%
5. Construction +36.8%
6. Administration +35.3%
7. Accounts/Finance +30.5%
8. IT +24.4%
9. Electronics +23.4%
10. Retail +22.4%

At the other end of the spectrum, industries which saw the biggest all in job adverts included:

• Leisure/tourism -86.7%
• Automotive -72.6%
• Catering 34.2%
• Charities -18.2%
• Medical -17.9%

Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library, comments on the findings: “While the UK continues to follow strict social distancing guidelines, the government’s announcement that key industries could return to the workplace on Wednesday 13^th May appears to have instilled confidence back into employers. As a result, we’re slowly seeing job numbers pick back up; though they are nowhere near the levels they would normally be.”

“Prior to this pandemic, the labour market was largely candidate-driven but this has definitely shifted. The demand for jobs is outstripping supply and it’s going to take some time for this to change. What’s more, a lot of companies are reliant on the government’s furlough scheme to keep their employees in work, so unemployment rates aren’t yet at their peak.

“That said, our findings do provide some reassurance that the government’s effort to kickstart the economy again are working, though we cannot rest on our laurels just yet. Businesses must continue to make smart decisions and follow guidelines closely.”

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Kier Start on Leisure Site

Keir have started work on a new £15 million leisure centre in Yorkshire. The new centre will hugely improve the leisure facilities for residents of the Spen Valley.

The Spen Valley Leisure Centre facilities will see and eight lane, 25 metre main pool, a 20mx10m activity pool which will also have a removeable floor, spectator seating in the pool areas, a large fitness suite, two fitness studios and a cycling studio. Two changing villages are also to be built, these will include family cubicles, baby changing and large team changing areas.

The new centre aims to be inclusive for all member of the local community, including facilities for those with disabilities, design that is dementia friendly and a café where groups which are using the whole Princess Mary Activity Complex can meet and socialise.

In order to safeguard employees and the public alike, Kier will be adhering to the Construction Leadership Council’s Site Operating Procedures which are based on the guidance issued by Public Health England.

Regional Director at Kier Regional Building, Phil McDowell said: “We are thrilled to be working with Kirklees Council to deliver Spen Village Leisure Centre. The commencement of works on site is a major milestone and we look forward to creating a new all-purpose facility, which will bring swimming and fitness under one roof. We have a wealth of experience in delivering leisure centres across the country and I’m looking forward to seeing the development of this facility as it progresses on site.”

Leader of the Council, Cllr Shabir Pandor said: “I’m really pleased to see the start of work on this major capital development project for the people of North Kirklees.

We are committed to supporting people to be healthy and live independently in their communities for as long as possible. The leisure centre will become a major asset for the local community, attracting more visitors into Kirklees and will help to create a sustainable economy. I look forward to seeing the developments on site as Kier begin the construction phase.”

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£2Bn for Fast Track Walking and Cycle Schemes

The UK Transport Minister has pledged to help councils fund a rapid switch of road space over to greater walking and cycle use.

Grant Shapps, UK Transport Minister has announced £2 billion in funding to help local authority highways and streetwork firms with the task of marking pop-up bike lanes, wider pavements, safer junctions, and, cycle and bus only corridors in England over a matter of weeks.

This will be finance with a £250 million emergency active travel fund, which is the first stage of the £2 billion investment plan to help boost walking and cycling in response to the COVID-19 social distancing measures which means there is more constraints when using public transport.

The Government has said it will fund and work with local authorities throughout the country in order to make it easier for people to use bikes to get around. This includes a shceme in Greater Manchester to create 150 miles of protected cycle tracks, and Transport for London, which plans to create a ‘bike Tube’ network above Underground lines.

Fast tracked statutory guidance, which was published at the beginning of May 2020, and came in effect immediately, tells councils they should reallocate road-space for a significantly-increased number in cyclists and pedestrians.

Mr Shapps also said that in towns and cities, some streets had the ability to become bike and bus only, with others remaining available for motorists. Through this, more side streets could be closed to through traffic, and there could also be the introduction of low-traffic neighbourhood which would see a reduction in rat-running while maintaining access for vehicles.

Grant Shapps said: “The Government expects local authorities to make significant changes to their road layouts to give more space to cyclists and pedestrians. Such changes will help embed altered behaviours and demonstrate the positive effects of active travel.”

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Kier Secures Place on £2.6bn Water Framework

Kier has been awarded a place on both Lots 1 and 3 of Thames Water’s £2.6 billion AMP7 Capital Projects Framework (Runway 2).

Both lots cover North and South London, along with the Thames Valley area and for the AMP7 period, Lot 1 has an estimated overall value of £180 million, with Lot 2 having an estimated value of £170 million.

Lot 1 of the framework is non-infrastructure works, and, covers all works taking place above ground. This includes the refurbishment, replacement, and provision of new potable water and wastewater treatment assets, including service and storage reservoirs. Lot 2 is infrastructure works and covers all underground works and broadly extends from rehabilitation, replacement, and provision of new sewers ad pumping assets to portable water pipelines to inspection and maintenance of aqueducts and tunnels.

The framework has an initial duration of five years, as part of Thames Water’s 2020-2025 AMP7 plans, with an option to extend it for a further five years through to AMP8. Later this year, a further five Lots will be announced as part of this Framework.

Kier will blend its experience within the water market with its ability to deliver major infrastructure projects, to complete works on this framework.

Mark Pengelly, Group Managing Director for Kier Infrastructure, said: “We are pleased to have been appointed to the Thames Water AMP7 Capital Programmes Framework. AMP7 includes a number of complex projects and significant programmes, of which both our Utilities and Infrastructure teams have the combined capabilities to provide the highest levels of project delivery over the next five years. We look forward to delivering new projects through this framework and enhancing the infrastructure for the communities Thames Water serves.”

Group Managing Director for Kier Utilities Barry McNicholas said: “We are delighted to continue our successful partnership with Thames Water following our appointment to its AMP7 Capital Programmes Framework.

“Over the last five years, we have delivered a first-class service to Thames Water and the communities it serves. Working collaboratively with our Infrastructure team, over the next five years, we look forward to utilising our skills and experience to deliver vital infrastructure both above and below ground.”

This latest appointment for Kier builds on their already existing relationship with Thames Water, as the company previously held a place on the £1 billion AMP6 Thames Water Infrastructure Alliance Contract.

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Consultants Wanted for Framework

Procure Partnerships is inviting tenders for a professional services framework which is worth £500 million. It will run along side its recently awarded contractor framework.

This new framework will be broken down into 11 disciplines, which will cover professional services ranging from project management, structural and civil engineering through to quantity surveying, MEP design and fire engineering.

Procure Partnerships has estimated that it could account for a spend of up to £500 million during the course of four years, over the 11 regions in England and Wales.

Procure Partnerships’ Framework Director Robbie Blackhurst said: “This framework has been two years in the making with the Procure Partnerships team conducting a detailed analysis of other professional services frameworks available to public sector bodies.

“This has enabled us to build not only a comprehensive framework but also the most competitive framework on the market for public sector bodies to access. The framework is divided into sub-regional lots support the appointment of both local and national practices.

“The architectural and project management lots will have the option to build full multi-disciplinary teams, but, unlike other frameworks, they must build that team from within the framework and cannot select practices who are not on our professional services framework.

“We are excited to get this framework up and running, providing a ‘one stop shop’ for public sector clients to procure consultants through us on a direct award or mini competition basis, completing our already successful contractor framework.”

Tender documents for this framework are set to be released on Tuesday 26 May 2020, and can be accessed here.

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CITB Cut Spending on Social Media Campaign

The CITB have cut their plans to spend £10.8 million on its latest social media campaigns to attract younger people into the construction industry.

The Future Made campaign see influencers on social media posting content on their platforms to show younger audiences their adventures in trying out bricklaying, roofing, painting and decorating, and more.

A Freedom of Information request from earlier this year revealed that the CITB had a budget of £10.8 million for ‘full development, launch and campaign activity” over the next three years. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted a major rethink and a slashing of spending.

Future Made has been created to ‘change the hearts and minds of under-25’s’ who currently don’t have an interest in construction jobs. The campaign is hoped to drive the younger generation to the existing Go Construct website which has more detailed information when it comes to applying for apprenticeships

The FoI request also revealed that the website cost £1.3 million when it was set up in 2015, with a further £2.6 million spent on promoting it since then. The CITB had also planned to spend another £3.5 million on marketing and running the Go Construct website over the next three years. However, the combined budget for the campaign and site has been cut back to below £1 million, with initiatives also being significantly scaled back.

The CITB also said that they do not record how many people have joined the apprenticeship schemes via the Go Construct website. It said: “We do not record how many individuals have joined the sector as a result of Go Construct, therefore we cannot track the direct benefits, nor calculate the return on investment.”

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Construction Projects in Education

With schools currently deciding how they can reopen, a new batch of construction projects is waiting to begin once the industry is able to get back to normal.

Two of the UK’s top construction organisations, Morgan Sindall and Galliford Try, have secured more than £100 million-worth of education projects in the last few weeks.

Morgan Sindall has won a £29 million scheme to construct a 1,530-place school in Glebe Meadows, Aylesbury, for Milton Keynes Borough Council, as well as a £10 million Community College project in Hailsham for the Hailsham Academy Trust.

Galliford Try has a £38 million contract lined up to build a new education campus in Hexham for the Hadrian Learning Trust on behalf of Northumberland County Council. Bill Hocking, Chief Executive for Galliford Try, said: “We continue to make good progress in our key sectors and these excellent contact wins in the higher education and schools’ sectors are further demonstration of the quality of our offering.”

However, these are not the only education contracts let recently. Others include the £13.5 million Addington Valley scheme in Croydon, for which Keir has secured the contract.

Research from Glenigan also shows there is a strong pipeline of work moving through the procurement process, despite the limitations currently imposed on on-site work due to the Coronavirus pandemic, with a significant number of projects at the tender stage according to research.

Schemes at this stage of procurement include the £9 million sports complex at Sherborne School, Dorset, where bids have been received, as well as a £2.5 million new music department at Queen Elizabeth’s School in Barnet, which is also at the same stage.

Both these schemes should start later in 2020, depending on the progress of the virus. In Q1 of 2020, £1.1 billion worth of education projects have secured detailed planning permissions. This is a total rise of 50% on the first quarter of last year, and up 21% on the final three months of 2019.

Many smaller projects have recently secured planning permission, but are yet to go to tender. Examples include a £1.2 million extension to Castledon School in Wickford, Essex and the £1.5 million addition to Broomwood Hall School in Lambeth, South London.

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BAM and Robertson Join hub South West

hub South West have welcomed BAM and Robertson Construction to its stable of Tier 1 contractors as part of its 2020 supply chain refresh.

The public-private partnership funded by Scotland’s business development agencies, local authorities and leading Tier 1 contractors are pleased to welcome BAM and Robertson into their supply chain refresh, with hub South West Chief Executive, Micheal McBreaty saying: “Through our supply chain refresh, our aim is to secure partners whose values align closely with outs and with the needs of our Participants.

“As we look forward hub South West will harness the opportunities developing high quality social infrastructure provides to uniquely secure real social impact and value for money through procurement, locality of supply chian and driving sustainability through our development and delivery. Our ability to deliver these objectives is best served we believe, by working in partnership with the highest quality contracting business in the country.

“We are delighted, therefore, to renew our relationships with Morrisons, Morgan Sindall and Kier and to celebrate our new partnership with BAM Construct UK and Robertson Construction.

“Our newest partners bring to the table their rich experience in the education, leisure and healthcare sectors. Our shared values mean that each is aligned with our needs and reflect our ambition to deliver sustainable, high quality infrastructure for our communities. We look forward to working with them.”

Bruce Dickson, BAM’s Regional Director for Scotland, said “We are absolutely delighted to have been selected by hub South West for their Tier 1 contractor supply chain. In these trying times we really appreciated getting some good news. We are looking forward to working with the team at HubSW and their participants on the delivery of their strong pipeline of projects.”

Ed Parry, Regional Director, Robertson – Central West, said: “Robertson has a wealth of experience of working with hub’s across Scotland and is pleased to have been appointed to hub South West. We are confident that we will deliver on hub South West’s values and participants needs and are delighted to have been selected as a supply chain partner.  We look forward to working with hub South West and the communities they serve.”

hub South West is a public-private partnership, established in 2012, and is dedicated to community infrastructure projects in Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway, with its main aim being to deliver value for money on projects in these areas, whilst also generating growth in local economics.

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Mental Health Vital for Project Managers

With more and more people returning to work in the next few weeks, a new survey from the Association of Project Management (AMP), has revealed that the majority of project professionals have said their main project is causing them stress.

The chartered body for the project profession also showed that the majority of project managers are expecting disruption to projects due to the ongoing impact of the coronavirus. The survey of project professionals, which was carried out for AMP by research company, Censuswide, also discovered that over 63% of participants also said they feel stressed about issues relating to their main projects.

The survey said the key factors include:

• Poor work-life balance (40%)
• Unrealistic expectations (32%)
• Having too much to do (36.5%)

The survey also shows that just over one quarter of those who took part (27.6%) said they don’t think their workplace is doing enough in order to support the mental health and wellbeing of those who are responsible for managing and delivering projects – throughout all industry sectors.

Dr Clara Cheung, who is  lecturers in project management at the University of Manchester, and is a supporter of Mental Health Awareness Week, which is this week (May 18- May 24, 2020) said: “AMP’s latest survey reveals that project professionals experience high levels of stress in the workplace due to the often frenetic, fast paced and dynamic nature of project-based work. The recent impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the lockdown period might also have increased the risk project managers to have mental health problems, such as anxiety, burnout, depression, social isolation, and fear of unemployment. Under these circumstances, it is vital that employers review the mental health support mechanisms provided for staff and how these can be improved upon.

“This could include reminding staff of support already in place or looking at the introduction of resilience-training that focuses on post-traumatic growth, wellness action plans, mental health first aiders and access to support from a confidential counselling helpline.”

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How Construction is Responding to COVID-19

Evan Maindonald is CEO of MELT Property and has over 25 years of experience in Property Development and Investment. Here Mr Maindonald gives his opinion on how the UK Construction Industry is responding to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Covid-19 has forced the construction industry to examine closely how it conducts business. As a result of coronavirus, construction was left in lockdown limbo, with ambiguous and unclear advice on what was or was not safe. At the coal face, on site, this caused a difficult situation with main contractors, sub-contractors, and individual operatives having to make decisions as to what was or was not safe.

Some of these decisions led to courses of action being taken that were potentially in breach of contract. For example, a small builder shutting down a domestic site would be in breach of contract for abandoning the site. Similarly, a main contractor shutting down a large site could face ‘extension of time’ claims from subcontractors. The circumstances of the last few months were without precedent and will probably lead to a review of construction contract law.

Thankfully, many companies choose to work together to find solutions and many sites returned to work with new social distancing protocols in place. On our sites, we have made masks mandatory for all workers and have introduced a limit of not more than one person working on each floor of any property.

One of the unforeseen benefits for the industry has been the acceleration of the adoption of new technology throughout the industry. Public engagement exhibitions for planning applications have been held virtually. This has proven that, in some senses, they are more effective in this setting than their traditional counterpart. Developers, estate agents and architects have adopted the use of virtual reality to showcase their design. The proliferation of CGI video technology- developed originally for gaming software – has meant that hyper realistic, interactive walkthroughs are now an important part of the toolkit.

However the full impact of Covid-19 on the construction industry is yet to be felt. How many SME contractors have paid too great a financial cost to keep going? The furlough scheme would not have been of benefit to many contracting companies, as the majority of their staff will have been self-employed. This does beg the question as to whether or not there will be sufficient viable contractors to supply the construction industry once this crisis has abated.

Evan Maindonald Bio

Evan Maindonald has over 25 years of experience in Property Development and Investment.

In the last 18 years, his company MELT Property has built over 100 properties in London, Gloucestershire and Kent with total end values of over £22m. Evan has a degree in Computer Science and an MBA from IMD in Lausanne. He regularly presents at property events around the UK, appears on a number of different programmes on Property TV and is currently writing a book about how to get started in property development.

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Water Utilities Construction

With the construction industry slowly beginning to emerge from the worst of the COVID-19 lockdown, construction of water utilities work is coming through the pipelines.

The latest round of water utilities spending, which is known as AMP7, and is running until 2025, is beginning to kick in, with Amey securing a £100 million extension on the contractors existing reactive and maintenance agreement with Yorkshire Council.

Operation Contract Manger at Yorkshire Water, Nicola Shirley said: “We have some challenging performance targets for AMP7 and, working with Amey, we will positively contribute to the Performance Commitments we have for flooding and pollution.”

With spending from AMP7 to accelerate from Spring 2020 onward, Yorkshire Water have a swathe of contractors who have signed on for it £1 billion AMP7 complex and minor MEICA frameworks, which is set to run until 2025.

Mark Baker is Head of Programme Delivery at the utility, he said: “The MEICA Framework Partners will join our civils partners and Yorkshire Water in developing our enterprise delivery model.”

Projects that are in this procurement pipeline also include a £4 million, 12 sq m reservoir at Boston Park, with research from Glenigan showing that contactor MMB are expected to start their work later this year.

There are many other new projects which are benefitting from new work thanks to the AMP7 programme, including, Skanska which have renewed their asset management contract with Welsh Water. They will spend £2.3 billon improving tis network of 26,500-km of water mains, 30,000-km of sewers and 838 sewage treatment works, along with improving 66 impounding reservoirs.

Skanska’s new five-year dal is valued a £193 million and will start this Spring (2020), with research showing that Welsh Water is amongst the industry’s top 100 clients in the 12 months to Q in 2020. The utility will also be procuring other works, including a £1 million deal to repair Llyn Brianne Dam in Dyfed, with research showing this job is currently in the tender stage.

Thames Water who are traditionally one of the biggest spending water utilities is procuring a capital projects framework for its £2.3 billion AMP7 spending commitments. Other individual Thames Water projects which are coming up include the £80 million plan to relocate sewage treatment works in Guilford, with applications for tender now having been received, and with research from Glenigan showing that a start date is due towards the later half of this year.

For Scottish Water’s £450 million infrastructure delivery framework, tenders have already been returned. Work is due to start on this in 2021, and a further boost in spending is expected to defy any weakening in the industry.

Glenigan’s economics director Allan Wilén said: “The new investment AMP7 programme will begin to lift industry spending from April 2020, and water industry work will begin to flow next year with investments of £50 billion planned up to 2025.”

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Planning Applications on Social Media

UK Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, has said local councils should use social media channels to publicise planning applications.  This new announcement was made as part of changes being introduced to ‘radically restart’ the construction industry.

As of Wednesday, (May 13^th, 2020) local governments will not have to publicise planning applications through local newspapers, site notices, or leaflets under temporary changes introduced in order to help development work resume.

Other extra measures which are being introduced include allowing construction sites to operate for longer hours, up to 9pm, and contractors to stagger worker hours in order to reduce the amount of people who are working on-site at any one time. The UK Government also suggested that some projects could move to 24-hour working in a bid to claw back the time lost during the Coronavirus outbreak.

When looking at planning, authorities will also be required to ‘take reasonable steps’ in order to ensure those who have an interest in proposed schemes are told where they can view the application.

Latest Government guidance also states that these steps might include ‘use of social media and communication by electronic means’ and added that they must be proportionate to the scale and impact of the development.

Councils also have temporary powers to defer Section 106 payments and disapply late payment interest from developers with a turnover of less than £45 million. Mr Jerrick also said that he expects all Planning Inspectorate hearings to go-ahead digitally, and also noted that he already had expanded permitted development and changed the rules on planning meetings since the beginning of lockdown.

In a Ministerial Statement at the House of Commons, Jerrick said the new changes were ‘going to get the same planning system going again and bring it into the digital future at the same time.’

Chief Executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute, Victoria Hills, said that the measures were positive and pragmatic steps in order to keep the development moving, but also called on the Government to extend planning permissions which were due to expire during the lockdown period. This is because planners fear a surge in re-applications could overwhelm their workload.

Ms Hills said: “We remain concerned that the issue of planning permissions due to expire during the lockdown has not yet been addressed. We have repeatedly called for this to be urgently addressed.”

Robert Jerrick also announced that the housing market will reopen with all professions involved including surveyors, estate agents and removal firms able to return to work.

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The future is a Digital Twin

The Future is a Digital Twin – just like now (but better and with a twin) – Sarah Rock, Gowling WLG.

As the design and construction world have embraced BIM and its use becomes ever more common, the reverse could be said about the asset management world. Much of the data held in models becomes redundant at the point of handover. Valuable information is left untouched as the built asset begins and continues its life. Digital twins aim to use this valuable data and enhance everyday lives, drive revenue and improve the environment.

A digital twin is a realistic digital representation of something physical such as a building or a railway network, with a link between the two. A twin can be made to replicate a new asset or be modelled from an existing physical asset. Connecting a physical asset with its digital twin helps to make the asset smart. The digital twin can be used to test new ideas or model scenarios without interrupting the actual physical asset and its users. Successful results can then be implemented to help assets run more efficiently, saving time, money and disruption.

CDBB’s National Digital Twin Programme

The Centre for Digital Built Britain (CDBB) has been tasked with making the digital twin future a reality. The CDBB is a partnership between the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and the University of Cambridge to deliver a smart digital economy for infrastructure and construction for the future and to transform the UK construction industry’s approach to the way we plan, build, maintain and use our social and economic infrastructure. The CDBB brings together industry, academia, and policy makers in order to consider the wider effects of the digital agenda on society and the economy.

Launched by HM Treasury in July 2018, CDBB’s National Digital Twin (NDT) Programme and Digital Framework Task Group were set up to deliver key recommendations of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) 2017 “Data for the Public Good Report” notably:

• to steer the successful development and adoption of the information management framework for the built environment, and
• to create an ecosystem of connected digital twins – a national digital twin– which opens the opportunity to release value for society, the economy, business and the environment.

A NDT is not intended to be one entire twin of the whole national infrastructure, rather it is intended to consist of “federations” of digital twins joined together via securely shared data, enabling infrastructure professionals to make better decisions at project, asset, network or system level. One working example could be the scenario whereby an office block in the City of London has to be suddenly and unexpectedly evacuated. The digital twin of the office block could alert the digital twins of local transport systems so that more buses are directed to the area or more gates open at the local underground station to assist with the swift and safe evacuation of the office block staff, The NDT could also go on to help answer questions around housing, transport routes, energy and net zero carbon.

The NDT programme has been working with future users and early adopters of digital twins to develop an information management framework to connect digital twins to deliver benefit to all. The creation of the framework forms an integral part of HM Government’s modern Industrial Strategy and Construction Sector Deal.

Initial work of the NDT Programme

Common definitions and approaches to information management were at the core of the initial activity of the NDT Programme and in 2019 it launched a Roadmap detailing a prioritised plan for five core streams responsible for the delivery of the information management framework.

In 2018 the NDT Programme launched the Gemini Principles, a paper setting out the proposed principles to guide the national digital twin and the information management framework that will enable it. The Gemini Principles Report is intended to assist with alignment on the approach to information management across the built environment by establishing agreed definitions and principles from the outset which will make it easier to share data in the future.

The Gemini Principles are deliberately simple and enshrine the intention that all digital twins have clear purpose, must be trustworthy and must function effectively. The NDT Programme is focussed highly on the public good and these principles help to set this tone.

Does this signal the end of BIM?

The work that the BIM community and the adoption of it by the design and construction industries has been a stepping stone which has allowed the next development (digital twins) to come about. Without BIM as one of its core foundations a digital twin would not exist. The digital twin is merely the next step and ensures that the great work achieved by those who have believed in and driven the BIM revolution at design and construction level is not lost at the point of an asset coming into use.

The paragraph above is not complacent, the writer acknowledges there is still some way to go before BIM is business as usual. But just focussing on this one element of the digitisation of the construction and infrastructure world is no longer enough. Digital twins and the NDT Programme require all elements of the digital world to come together and collaborate.

Recent Progress

Following the publication of the Gemini Principles and the Roadmap the NDT Programme held its first National Digital Twin Day in September 2019. Hosted by the Institution of Civil Engineers at its London HQ, the day featured contributions by digital pioneers from government and industry delivering expert guidance and practical insights on digital twins. Events during the day discussed the latest developments, challenges and opportunities this emerging sector brings, highlighting how digital twin thinking can drive more value from data, optimise infrastructure performance and deliver better outcomes for society.

Two years after the NIC’s ‘Data for the Public Good Report’ set out a vision for the NDT to improve the way we plan, build, use and manage our infrastructure, the vision is gaining momentum and support and having been cited by the NIC as having the potential to unlock an additional £7Bn per year of benefits across the UK infrastructure sector the NDT Programme is starting to make people sit up and recognise the financial and social benefits this exciting development can bring.

The CDBB’s Digital Twin Hub ‘DT Hub’ was announced at the National Digital Twin Day. The Hub allows members to share experiences and learn from others on the same path in a safe and secure environment. The DT Hub is steered by a group of experts from the worlds of academia, government and industry. A work in progress, the DT Hub will launch at the end of March as will soon be sharing information about Digital Twin projects currently running across the UK.

Legal Implications

The NDT Programme has quite wisely recognised that there may be one or two legal implications which crop up in the adoption of the above! The Roadmap stream leaders are currently working on identifying, assessing and attempting to provide solutions to the obvious legal risks and liabilities of sharing data, connecting individual twins, GDPR etc.

As a construction lawyer, the writer acknowledges there have been issues which have arisen in the adoption of BIM and breaking down trust issues to encourage collaboration. However, these can and often have been overcome through clear commercial discussions reflected in thorough and knowledgeable legal drafting in this area (a legal twin as it were). There is work to be done in this area but the NDT Programme is utilising industry and academic experts to provide some framework around this and more will follow on this particular point.

Is the industry as a whole ready for this next step?

Efforts have been made in taking up digital techniques across the industry but the tipping point could ultimately come due to shortage of skills in this new and fast paced arena.

The construction industry is facing a skills shortage as tech and digital skills are increasingly important to the industry. Upskilling current workers to absorb the digital led roles can help in solving this. For the long term however, the industry needs to engage with the younger generation and attract talent which is being lured by the tech companies into our industry.

The power in the digital way of working won’t just come from one digital twin or one change but by collaboration and by all organisations being able to analyse data across several sources to reach actionable conclusions for the betterment of the built environment and our society as a whole.

Sarah Rock is a Principal Associate in the Construction and Engineering team at international law firm Gowling WLG. Sarah recently joined the CDBB’s Digital Framework Task Group as the sole legal representative to assist with the NDT Programme.

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Private Residential Construction

With more and more housebuilders re-opening or planning to re-open their sites as the peak of COVID-19 passes, research from Glenigan suggests that private residential construction work is bubbling within the planning pipeline.

Both Persimmon and Vistry staff began returning to site on April 27^th, 2020, and Taylor Wimpey along with Bellway following suite at the start of May. Redrow are set to begin a phased re-opening of sites as of today (May 18^th, 2020) and Barratt will see 180 of its 360 active sites opened by the end of May 2020.

Research from Glenigan shows that work has started moving through the planning pipeline too, with Economics Director, Allan Wilen saying: “The long-term planning pipeline remains firm, and the immediate pipeline is beginning to show positive signs.”

However, despite some staff in planning and procurement being furloughed, many major residential projects are continuing to enter the planning system. Developers Moda Living and Apache Capital have put forward plans for the £258 million Great Charles Street, Birmingham. The development will have 722 apartments, along with shops, commercial space, and a gym. If the planning application is approved, work should begin on site next year.

In the build-to-rent sector, projects also remain strong, with Legal and General confirming funding of £150 million in its West Bar development in Sheffield, the scheme includes 350 build to rent homes, and is being built in partnership with developer Urbo, as well as Sheffield City Council.

Nigel Wilson, Legal and General Chief Executive said: “Our vision for West Bar Square is to deliver a much-needed new quarter for the centre of Sheffield.

“During these unprecedented times, it is absolutely imperative that institutions continue to push forward with deals, so we can position the UK for an accelerated recovery and lay the groundwork to support those most in need in society.”

Residential projects are also still securing planning permission, despite the fact that there are some challenges at the local authority level when trying to organise planning meetings.

The data which Glenigan have produced shows that the overall national value of private residential projects that have secured planning permission fell by 13% in the 12 months to Q1 of 2020, but some regions have recorded a rise. Approvals in the South West are up by 54% and 3% in Scotland, whilst the falls in both the East Midlands and Wales are marginal.

One of the developments which has boosted the total rate for the South West was Bellway’s Pirton Fields development, where plans to deliver 465 new homes has now gained planning permission.

Other residential schemes which have recently secured planning permission are the £100 million Greengate development in Manchester, which will deliver 1,550 residential units and will also offer BTR units.

There are also plans to develop 4,000 homes in Attleborough, Norfolk, which has been given outline planning permission from Breckland Council. The scheme will have 400 affordable homes, along with a £34 million investment from developer Ptarmigan Land, in order to fund local schools and a new link road connecting Buckingham Road and London Road.

With construction on-site beginning to improve, the continuing activity in the background of the construction industry will boost the pipeline of work and also aid the longer-term recovery of the country.

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SME Loan Fund Launched in Scotland

The Scottish Government have launched a new £100 million emergency loan fund for SME housebuilders, to support them during the Coronavirus lockdown.

With all construction work in Scotland currently on hold due to the virus, housebuilders can apply for a short term loan of up to £1 million to help them navigate any liquidity issues which could come from the temporary cessation of the housing market.

The emergency loan fund scheme is designed to:

• Safeguard jobs and protect suppliers
• Support post COVID-19 economic recovery and the continued supply of homes
• Retain diversity of the housebuilding sector.

The new emergency scheme will open today (Monday, May 18^th, 2020) at 14:00, and those who would like to apply can do so via the Scottish Government’s website. However, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• They are an existing business in Scotland which has been directly affected by COVID-19
• Their turnover is less than £45 million and they are building five or more homes per annum
• Their business was financially viable before COVID-19
• Funding cannot be secured from existing lenders or their own resources to meet liquidity needs
• The business has been unable to secure sufficient funding from UK Government or other Scottish Government COVID-19 schemes.

SME housebuilders can only apply for funding that is necessary for the short term, and those who apply will be asked to explain why existing support mechanisms are not sufficient for their business. Loans are available between £50,000 to £1 million, with most of the loans expected to be paid within two years with an interest rate of 2%.

Kevin Stewart, Scotland’s Housing Minister said: “To save lives and protect the NHS during the coronavirus outbreak all non-essential construction work has been halted. This decision was not taken lightly, and I know it is having a profound impact on the housebuilding sector, particularly smaller businesses which are struggling to cope with delayed house sales and the increased costs associated with site shutdowns.

“The new loan fund is open to small and medium-sized housebuilders operating within Scotland. It will provide urgent support to address liquidity pressures facing housebuilders and will help ensure their future.

“I would like to thank everyone in the sector for their support during the coronavirus pandemic, and assure them that the Scottish Government is committed to safeguarding jobs and putting in place to ensure economic recovery over the months and years ahead.”

Homes for Scotland Chief Executive Nicola Barclay said: “This welcome short-term intervention will offer a lifeline for many smaller home builders who play a major role in their local areas in terms of meeting more rural housing need, investment, employment and sustainability.

“Of course, their longer-term survival depends on a safe phased return to work and we continue our close engagement with the Scottish Government on how this can be achieved as soon as possible.”

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