A highly prestigious Federation of Master Builders award, recently achieved by Derbyshire-based Alan Staley Building Contractors, has recognised the quality of its work and reflects, says the company, on the suitability of Layher scaffolding and temporary roofing systems for high profile building refurbishment. 

The company is proud to have won the Master Builder of the Year Award for Large Renovation Projects in Yorkshire and Trent for its re-roofing and high level repair of Grade II listed Melbourne Hall.  The organisation appointed Allround Scaffolding Services (Midlands) Ltd. who, in turn, made excellent use of Layher’s Allround® modular scaffolding and Keder temporary roofing system designs.  

Pictured is an artists impression of the Merseylink design for the Mersey Gateway Bridge

You can also view a video showing new CGI footage of the new bridge along with interviews with members of the project team and the Merseylink consortium.

Merseylink has today (20 June) been announced as the preferred bidder for the Mersey Gateway Project by Halton Borough Council.

The public’s views on the World Heritage nomination of the Forth Bridge is being sought through a 12-week consultation.

The Forth Bridges Forum – which includes a number of local and national organisations – is keen to gather input from individuals and interested parties in support of the iconic railway bridge’s nomination. It also wants to hear people’s views on how the potential social, economic and cultural benefits of World Heritage can be managed in the local and national interest.

Chesterfield’s commercial property offering has been brought to the attention of national investors after the town’s Waterside development was announced as one of the UK’s largest Regeneration and Renewal projects in a prestigious list of major schemes issued for 2013.

The £340m development, has moved four places since 2012 to be ranked at number 47 in the top 100 list of the UK's largest regeneration projects, published this week in the sectors leading publications, Planning Magazine, and Regeneration & Renewal.

Work to provide access into Doncaster’s Waterfront development and help redevelop this prime town centre location is back on track and set to start on Tuesday 2 April 2013.

The initial phase of works will see improvements made to the Holmes Market roundabout which will be followed by the construction of the proposed internal spine road into the 15 hectare site.

A joint venture between two north-east construction companies has resulted in a range of cost-effective, quick to construct, eco-friendly permanent school buildings that taking the education world by storm.

Gateshead-based Koru Property Services and Clearspace Buildings formed a strategic partnership earlier this year, bringing together the innovative designs of Clearspace Buildings and the in-house production and construction facilities of Koru.

Skanska expands its highways operations and maintenance business with a major acquisition from Atkins

Today, Skanska UK announces it has signed an agreement to purchase a highways operations and maintenance business from Atkins for £18 million, of which £2 million is to be deferred and paid subject to future performance.

The business comprises eight live contracts with six local authorities and the Highways Agency to deliver operations and maintenance for the road and motorway network.

The purchase is in line with Skanska's strategy to position itself as a significant player in the UK highways operations and maintenance market, building on the Asset Support Contract Area 2. 

The business Skanska will acquire reported revenue of £80.0 million and an operating profit of £1.3 million in the six months to 30 September 2012. It has a workforce of 1,200 people.

Commenting on the acquisition, Skanska UK’s President and CEO, Mike Putnam, said: “We look forward to welcoming this skilled and experienced team into the Skanska family. This represents a significant, strategic development for our UK business. It demonstrates our strength and confidence in the UK market, on the back of four years of robust performance by our UK operations.” 

Executive Vice President Bill Hocking said: “Our new clients are set to benefit from Skanska’s global highways maintenance experience, as well as our commitment to responsible project delivery with minimal impact on the environment. We look forward to working with our clients to safely achieve their goals and efficiency aspirations. This acquisition positions us well for further growth in this market.” 

Skanska assumes ownership on 1 June 2013.

Homes by Skanska, the residential property arm of Swedish construction company Skanska, has received planning permission on its first Cheltenham residential development.

The planning application was approved as part of Cheltenham Borough Council’s redevelopment of North Place car park, on the northern edge of the city centre.

‘Trinity Square’ will offer 143 properties, comprising a mix of four-bedroom townhouses, as well as a range of one, two and three-bedroom apartments all with underground parking.

Balfour Beatty, Bam Construct, Interserve, Kier, Laing O’Rourke and a consortium including Morgan Sindall are all in the mix for the lucrative four-year framework, which carries an optional two-year extension.

Work worth an estimated £100m-£150m each year will be carried out for hospitals across Scotland, potentially totalling £900m.

Half of Scotland’s councils are participating in Phase 2 of the National Housing Trust Initiative, which was extended in 2011 due to “massive demand”.

The winners so far are Stewart Milne, which will take on two lots covering Aberdeen and Fife, Hadden, which has won the Clackmannanshire Council lot, and James Keiller, which will build homes for Dundee City Council.