LATEST NEWS
Cementation Skanska to deliver piling works for new ‘world class’ university facility
Cementation Skanska has been appointed by Multiplex to undertake piling works for the University of Glasgow’s new Keystone Building. This is part of the continued redevelopment of the university’s Gilmorehill campus, situated west of the city centre.
The new ‘world class’ facility for research and teaching will have the capacity to hold 520 academic staff and post-graduate researchers and nearly 3,900 undergraduate learning seats.
The works involve the installation of over 600 piles to support the main building structure which will span a total of 27,000 square metres, making it the second largest building on the University’s campus.
Once open, the facility will be one of the largest net-zero- carbon university buildings in the UK.
Emma Haddow, Scottish Business Stream Director for Skanska said “We are committed to driving down carbon and have a number of measures in place, which include HVO fuelled vehicles and equipment and low carbon concrete. Our in-house thermal integrity profiling technique, CemOptics, will further reduce carbon and improve safety.”
UK construction sector optimistic for growth in 2025, despite ongoing financial constraints
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), has released its latest construction industry insights, highlighting a more promising outlook for the UK construction sector as it heads into 2025.
According to responses gathered from professionals across the UK, in terms of net balance, +28% of survey participants predict an increase in workloads over the next 12 months, matching sentiment seen in the previous quarter and highlighting sustained optimism for growth within the sector.
In particular, the infrastructure sector is expected to lead robustly. Although slightly lower than Q2’s projections, a net balance of +30 of respondents still anticipates increased activity in infrastructure development, reflecting the sector’s ongoing resilience.
Meanwhile, the private residential sector has shown a notable rise in confidence, with +26 of survey participants predicting growth, an improvement from the +12% average reported over the past four quarters. Additionally, private non- residential construction is projected to pick up momentum, supported by a net balance of +17% of respondents.
Despite these positive indicators, if we look across to employment, when asked where the industry is seeing its most significant skills shortages, respondents cited bricklayers (37%), carpenters (33%) and plumbers (33%) as the most depleted roles currently. Shortage of general labour (44%) was also highlighted as one of the top factors limiting construction activity.
However, the general outlook for employment remains positive with a net balance of +18% of survey respondents forecasting an increase in employment over the next year. Although slightly down from the previous quarter’s +23%, the expected increase in employment highlights a resilient demand for skilled professionals within the industry.
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Kier increases education provision in East London with completion of Passivhaus school
The new energy efficient 11 – 19 co-educational comprehensive school is situated in the London Dock residential complex and provides 1150 new spaces for local students. It is partly funded by the Department for Education and will be managed by the Mulberry Schools Trust.
Designed by Architype to Passivhaus standards, the building is designed to maximise heat and energy conservation, having a lower impact on the environment and saving on energy bills. Features include enhanced insulation, air source heat pumps and south-facing design that promotes natural light and improves air quality by enhancing the flow of fresh air throughout the building.
This first-class educational facility includes bright classrooms with interactive screens and specialist suites for dance, art and science. It also has considerable green space with extensive facilities for sports and leisure that are also available for the local community to use after school hours. Students will benefit from flexible learning spaces, a roof terrace, a games court and external recreational areas.
CMA probes possible bid-rigging in relation to school improvement fund
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has reason to suspect that several companies providing roofing and construction services – including building contractors and technical advisors – illegally colluded to rig bids to secure contracts funded through the government’s Condition Improvement Fund (CIF). The CMA has particular concerns in relation to roofing contracts.
CIF money is awarded annually by the Department for Education (DfE) and can involve significant sums of money. Funds are primarily awarded to schools with buildings in poor condition, to ensure educational buildings are safe and remain in good working order – this includes funding projects that address health and safety issues and building compliance.
The investigation has commenced with unannounced inspections by the CMA at several business premises. The purpose of the inspections is to gather any relevant evidence, including physical or digital documents, to assist the CMA in its enquiries. The CMA has also worked closely with the DfE throughout its investigation.
Report identifies actions to increase uptake of electric vehicles in the construction industry
A report published by the Construction Leadership Council sets out the four main issues which have led to the slow uptake of electric vehicles in the construction industry. They are:
• Home charging • On site charging • Legislation regarding Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) Electric Vehicles (EVs) • Cost of ownership
The report studies the impact of each issue and makes recommendations to overcome them, with the aim of increasing electric vehicle uptake in the sector, currently at just 5.2%.
Matt Palmer, Industry Sponsor for Net Zero and Biodiversity at the Construction Leadership Council, Executive Director of the Lower Thames Crossing and sponsor of the report said “The UK relies on the infrastructure our industry builds, but we have to do so in a way that is compatible with a Net Zero future, and that includes the vehicles we use – on site, and for our workforce travelling to, from and between sites.
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