Construction National

Avebury Boulevard development by Mick George Ltd

Commencement works are imminent on the ‘100 Avebury Boulevard development’ in Milton Keynes, with Earthworks being conducted by Mick George Ltd on behalf of principal contractor, Galliford Try Building Ltd.

The project is set to become Central Milton Keynes newest Grade-A office and retail development, with the first occupants expected to be in place by the late summer of 2019. 

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ASFP expands top team to drive major initiatives in 2018

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) has expanded its team with the appointment of a new Head of Training and a new Technical Officer to take forward a number of key initiatives planned for 2018. 

Phil Brownhill has been appointed as Head of Training to establish the ASFP’s extensive new training programme which is scheduled for launch in March 2018, while Andrew Taylor has been appointed as Technical Officer to continue the Association’s vital role in developing industry guidance and promoting best practice.

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Siltbuster keeps runways safe in London

Siltbuster’s Sweeper Tip systems have enabled the runways at London City and Gatwick airports to remain open during their recent resurfacing by safely and efficiently managing waste materials created by the work.

Operating overnight, during the period when planes are not able to land or take off due to noise restrictions, sections of the runway were planed off before the contractor’s sweepers moved in to clean the runways prior to the new surface being laid in time for the first flights of each day at 6am.

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Media delivery of the future – Evolving Connectivity 2018

This year's event focuses on the first major upheaval of spectrum change since the digital switchover. More of the UHF is being allocated for mobile use so UK terrestrial TV is making the necessary changes required. For many, this heralds what they see as a migration of our TV viewing to a broadband delivery in the long term. 

For the immediate future it is time when UK households will need guidance on coping with channel changes. It is a pivotal time in our history as the CAI celebrates 40 years of representation. 

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Structural Concrete Alliance announces 2017 award winner

The Structural Concrete Alliance has announced Concrete Repairs Limited (CRL) as the winner of the 2017 Structural Concrete Alliance Award for Repair and Refurbishment, for its refurbishment of the Coronation Parade promenade/breakwater in Folkestone. 

CRL worked in challenging conditions to provide extensive sympathetic structural repairs and to install an impressed current cathodic protection system to the Coronation Parade promenade/breakwater in Folkestone. 

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The difference between life and death – the Cygnus could save your life

Over the last few years, Bull Product’s Cygnus Wireless Alarm System has protected some of the largest construction projects across the UK including Elephant Park, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Embassy Gardens, and much more. 

A major innovation in wireless emergency fire, first aid, and intruder alarms, the Cygnus Wireless Alarm System has raised the bar in the construction industry, and is the most successful and adaptable temporary alarm system on the market.  

Read more: The difference between life and death – the Cygnus could save your life

Compact solutions by Mick George

While much of the media focus on China’s impending Plastic import ban is geared towards authorities, industry professionals, and recycling companies, it will inevitably have a consequence on all waste handlers further down the line, commercial and residential.

Perhaps not as far in the future as you might expect either. We’ve already seen subsidies charged for consumables such as plastic bags, and contingencies are currently being discussed to apply similar strategies for Coffee Cups and Drinks Bottles, to improve the on-going dilemma. 

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The search for Nessie heats up!

The old lifeboat station at Temple Pier in Drumnadrochit was recently given a new lease of life for the 12 strong crew of the RNLI. A new training facility and changing room were built close to the current base. 

The site needed two new boreholes which were installed by Geotechnical Exploration Services (GES) which would receive pipework for ground source heat pumps. 

Read more: The search for Nessie heats up!

Barry Ashmore talks about ‘The long wait for payment’ on Radio 4’s ‘Money Box Live’

StreetwiseSubbie managing director, Barry Ashmore, was an invited guest on this week’s ‘Money Box Live’ on BBC Radio 4.

Following the liquidation of Carillion, the programme investigated payment problems, not only in construction, but in other sectors, including digital marketing and retail.

Interviewed by presenter Louise Cooper, Ashmore outlined the problems facing specialist contractors in construction, both in regard to getting paid and contractually too. 

Read more: Barry Ashmore talks about ‘The long wait for payment’ on Radio 4’s ‘Money Box Live’

Newly formed APPG launches inquiry into workplace falls from height

The newly formed All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Working at Height, sponsored by PASMA and chaired by Glasgow Central MP, Alison Thewlis, has launched its first inquiry into the numbers of serious injuries and fatalities which occur because of a fall from height and falling objects.

The inquiry is be open for evidence submissions from interested stakeholders until March 2nd 2018. The APPG have two days in Parliament to consider evidence and will then develop a report to make recommendations on how the frequency of serious injuries and fatalities can be reduced.

Read more: Newly formed APPG launches inquiry into workplace falls from height