Construction National

Mick George land £31m highways earthworks package

The £373m project to upgrade the M1 in Northamptonshire to a smart motorway continues to make progress, with local contractor Mick George Ltd now appointed to complete verge enabling works in a £31m contract.

Under the programme, the 23-mile section of M1 between junctions 13 and 16 will be upgraded to an all-lane running smart motorway, providing a continuous smart motorway from the M25 all the way through to junction 19 at Catthorpe.

Read more: Mick George land £31m highways earthworks package

E-learning to beat construction-related occupational cancers

The Considerate Constructors Scheme has announced a new e-learning course ‘Occupational Cancers’, designed to help the construction industry’s workforce to improve its understanding of occupational cancer risks and how to mitigate them.

With 40% of all deaths from occupational cancers arising within the construction industry, the need to support the workforce in this area has never been so critical.

Read more: E-learning to beat construction-related occupational cancers

Broker appoints new director to head up vendor sales

Financial services broker, Midlands Asset Finance (MAF), has continued its growth after hiring a new Director of Vendor Sales.

Covering the whole of the UK, David Cowe will oversee MAF’s vendor strategy and Supplier Partnership Programme that allows suppliers to provide finance to their customers. 

Joining from Econocom UK Technology Finance where he spent 14 years as a senior account manager, David is originally from Stockton-on-Tees and has also previously worked for Lombard and HSBC.

Read more: Broker appoints new director to head up vendor sales

Local firm to kick-start huge new global facility in Cambridge

Having been granted Section 6 planning permission in 2018, works on a new 200,000 sq.ft research and development headquarters to host major technology companies is set to get underway on units 1-21 Cambridge Science Park.

Local construction firm Mick George Ltd will shortly commence bulk-earthworks for the project on behalf of principal contractor SDC Builders Ltd.

Read more: Local firm to kick-start huge new global facility in Cambridge

Powerproject XV available today

Elecosoft, the design, build, maintain software specialist, has today released the highly anticipated Powerproject XV, designed for use by planners and project managers across the whole spectrum of the planning and construction management sector. 

A completely refreshed user interface, Powerproject XV was created for the sophisticated project planner, enabling them to visualise plans in 4D with realistic real-time project simulations. It assures the quality of schedules with the Schedule Quality Check functionality, while allowing planners to communicate effectively across teams with better control over the presentation of their plans.

Read more: Powerproject XV available today

ASFP launches online passive fire protection training course

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection has launched a new e-learning course designed to equip installers or new entrants to the sector with a basic knowledge of passive fire protection and its role in the overall fire strategy of a building.

Consisting of 13 short online videos, each of around 10-15 minutes in length, the ASFP Introduction to Passive Fire Protection is also ideal for all those involved in building maintenance or follow-on trades such as electricians or plumbers who may damage existing compartmentation and fire resisting walls in carrying out their work.

Read more: ASFP launches online passive fire protection training course

NASC publishes annual safety report

NASC members recorded 113 accidents and injuries on site during 2018 – equating to one incident for every 150 operatives. 

The figure was revealed in the NASC 2019 Safety Report, which documents and analyses accident and injury statistics for its full contracting members in the previous calendar year.

The 113 injuries recorded means that more than 99% of all NASC member operatives – a total of 16,645 employees – went through 2018 accident and injury-free. There were also no operative fatalities last year, for the sixth consecutive year. 

Read more: NASC publishes annual safety report

Rainclear adds a NEW white to its Galvanised Steel Rainwater Range

Rainclear Systems, the UK’s leading specialist metal rainwater system stockist and online retailer are adding a NEW colour to their durable, affordable and sustainable Infinity Galvanised Steel rainwater system.

Infinity is innovatively designed to be as easy to install as the usual materials used in the UK without the need to solder or rivet. Lengths are just as easy to handle and to cut to size without any specialist tools or equipment. 

Read more: Rainclear adds a NEW white to its Galvanised Steel Rainwater Range

Fareham College’s construction apprenticeship scoops second award

Fareham College, the TES 2018 FE College of the Year, has been named Construction Apprenticeship Provider of the Year at the FE Week and AELP ACC Apprenticeship Awards 2019. 

The College received the award for its unique and pioneering Civil Engineering and Groundworks Apprenticeship (CEGA) and Civil Engineering Training Centre (CETC) in Lee-on-the-Solent, which together demonstrate a shining example of a successful employer-led, co-designed apprenticeship programme that is addressing workforce skills gaps and supporting the needs of employers.  

Read more: Fareham College’s construction apprenticeship scoops second award

Mick George Ltd provide concrete foundations for world-class training centre

Work to create one of Europe’s most advanced football training facilities is making progress, with Mick George Concrete the latest supplier contributing to the new Leicester City Football Club development.

The Company has secured a £1.2m agreement to supply 16,900m3 of Concrete, on behalf of Gallagher Group, employed by principal contractor; McLaren Construction.

Read more: Mick George Ltd provide concrete foundations for world-class training centre