Daily updated construction news for Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland from http://www.build.co.uk http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp Sat, 4 Feb 2012 07:45:43 +0000 Transport for London (TfL) has revealed plans for a radically improved Euston Circus, which will deliver a greener, more user-friendly area for all in the heart of the Capital.The junction, which links Euston Road, Tottenham Court Road and Hampstead Road, has for many years been a traffic dominated area which acts as a significant barrier for pedestrians and cyclists.The new design, which has ..... http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139396 http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139396 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 Atkins has been recertified with the Carbon Trust Standard for successfully measuring, managing and reducing carbon emissions across its UK operations by more than seven per cent over the last two years.The company was awarded the Carbon Trust Standard in 2009 and has honed its energy efficiency strategies even further over the past two years to cut carbon emissions by an additional 500 tonnes C..... http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139398 http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139398 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 Leading door supplier UK Oak Doors is delighted to announce the opening of its new showroom in Burton Hastings, Warwickshire.An expanding product range and continued growth have led to UK Oak Doors outgrowing their former combined office and showroom. The old showroom has been converted into a large office space to house the rapidly expanding team. Conveniently, an area below the existing worksp..... http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139376 http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139376 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 The London Mayor Boris Johnson has announced in final budget papers today, the first ever cut in the City Hall share of the council tax (GLA precept). This follows a three year freeze of the precept.The Mayor has allocated funds in next year's budget to the issues that matter the most. He has secured an extra £90m from government to ensure that police on London streets can remain high for the ..... http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139375 http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139375 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 Housing leaders gathered in the House of Commons for the launch of new Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) research which shows organisational culture and people are more important in driving performance than scale alone.Significant changes to the economic climate and regulation mean landlords will need to make tough decisions about their organisations purpose and values, and ensure a culture o..... http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139365 http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139365 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 Unite has welcomed the National Audit Office"s report published which makes a clear argument on the value of adult apprenticeships; they are a very good return for public spending.Unite has consistently advocated and supported the funding of adult apprenticeships, notably in manufacturing, as these workers often have the existing transferable skills and experience to bring to the apprenticeship ..... http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139364 http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139364 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 The Chair of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has used a visit to a Cheshire oil refinery to highlight a shining example of a proper approach to health and safety.Judith Hackitt visited the Stanlow Oil Refinery in Ellesmere Port on Tuesday 31 January, where she met apprentices taking part in training to work in the chemical and oil industries.She praised the work taking place at the refin..... http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139363 http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139363 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 Harrow Council's proposed vision for the future of Harrow Town Centre, Wealdstone and Station Road, referred to collectively as the Heart of Harrow, is now out for consultation.Alongside a blog on the Council website, ten drop-in sessions are being staged over the next six weeks where people can find out more, talk to planning officers and voice their opinions on this major planning policy.The..... http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139361 http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139361 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 Swimmers in south Bristol have a lot to look forward to in 2012 as the city council and its leisure provider partner, Parkwood Community Leisure (PCL) get ready to open the state-of-the-art Hengrove Park pool and leisure centre on 29th February.Built by Kier Construction and boasting a 10-lane, 50m Olympic-standard pool with a teaching pool and movable floor, the new Hengrove Park pool offers sw..... http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139359 http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139359 Fri, 3 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 A Suffolk plumber who put lives at risk by illegally working on domestic gas appliances has been sentenced to six months in prison.Paul Jowett, 40, of Nelson Road, Pakefield, Lowestoft, admitted five breaches of gas and health and safety regulations when he appeared at Ipswich Crown Court.A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found Mr Jowett carried out work on gas fittings and app..... http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139331 http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139331 Thu, 2 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 House prices have declined by 0.2% in January, according to a major building society. According to the figures released on Wednesday, Nationwide said that although property prices are down on the month, they are still 0.6% higher than one year ago, with the price of a typical home now £162,228.Commenting on the figures, Robert Gardner, Nationwide's Chief Economist, said that given the challeng..... http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139279 http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139279 Thu, 2 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 Four Housing Group, a not-for-profit housing provider in the North East, with funding of £1.7 million from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has opened a new £2.7 million facility in conjunction with local football club, Redheugh Boys Club, for young and vulnerable people in Gateshead.The Academy will house 16 - 25 year old youngsters who are currently homeless and will provide first rate s..... http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139295 http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139295 Thu, 2 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 The Housing Minister has highlighted how the Government's action to get Britain building again will play a vital and central role in getting the country's economy on the road to recovery.Six weeks before the budget - and less than three months since the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister launched the Government's flagship Housing Strategy - Mr Grant Shapps unveiled a range of measures to h..... http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139305 http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139305 Thu, 2 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 Willmott Dixon and Scape's plan to reduce the cost of new schools by up to 30 per cent took a major step forward after Warwickshire County Council become the first local authority to purchase one of their new standardised designs.The two organisations launched a standardised product range last year under the brand of Sunesis to meet the Government's 'more for less' agenda. Sunesis delivers pre-d..... http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139306 http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139306 Thu, 2 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 Construction union UCATT have unearthed fundamental flaws in the Government"s flagship policy designed to reinvigorate the Right to Buy.The flaws are detailed in UCATT's submission to the Department of Communities and Local Government's consultation, Reinvigorating the Right To Buy.The Government's principal proposals are that they will reinvigorate the housing market and the Right to Buy sche..... http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139304 http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139304 Thu, 2 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 Two firms have been fined after a worker at Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire suffered a broken foot when a 13kg weight dropped nearly four metres from an overhead crane.A mechanical fitter, from Scunthorpe, had been operating the 21-ton crane with a colleague and needed it to change direction. Both men were using the steel pole provided to pull down on a chain which operated the steering me..... http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139296 http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139296 Thu, 2 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 According to new research from E.ON, nearly half (42%) of us have experienced boiler problems during the winter meaning a staggering 11 million households could be left without heating or hot water in our coldest temperatures.In the midst of the winter weather E.ON has equipped its central heating technicians with four wheel drives, road tested in the North Pole, to reach homes left in the cold ..... http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139303 http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139303 Thu, 2 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 New and updated 2012 editions of the PSA Schedule of Rates for Decoration Work and PSA Schedule of Rates for Landscape Management are now available at 10% discount from A HREF= 'http://www.whichbuildingcontract.co.uk' TARGET = '_NEW' www.whichbuildingcontract.co.uk /A .These PSA Schedule of Rates are not available anywhere else at this level of discount, so customers must hurry to take advantag..... http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139328 http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139328 Thu, 2 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 The former Home Brewery building on Sir John Robinson Way in Arnold, which is currently used by Nottinghamshire County Council as offices, is up for sale.The Council announced plans to sell the building in December 2010 as part of a broader programme to save £2 million in running costs by making better use of a smaller number of buildings.The building is not open to the public and houses a num..... http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139344 http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139344 Thu, 2 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000 A construction company and director have been fined following the death of a worker at a site in Hampstead.Father-of-one, Craig Page, of Islington, was working on a building site in Denning Road, when a mini-crawler crane was in the process of lifting a skip onto the site.The skip, containing liquid concrete, overturned and the boom of the crane struck Mr Page, 26, causing crush injuries to hi..... http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139253 http://www.build.co.uk/construction_news.asp?newsid=139253 Wed, 1 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0000