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Construction begins on Staffordshire Police Firearms Training Facility
Morgan Sindall Construction’s Midlands business has officially commenced works to deliver a new Police Firearms Training Facility for Staffordshire Police, which will meet their training needs for the next 30-40 years.
Procured through the Constructing West Midlands Framework, the £17.6m scheme will see the demolition of existing buildings to make way for a modern training facility. This will enable the force to train its Armed Response Officers to ensure the continued protection of the Staffordshire community, and to meet its mutual aid obligations. Once complete, the new facility will feature a 10-lane, 50m live-fire range and a purpose-built, two-storey training hub designed to meet the advanced training needs of specialist police units. In addition to the main building works, the project will deliver a range of external improvements, including hard and soft landscaping and the installation of a new sub-station. In collaboration with Blue Sky Architects and Appleyard & Trew LLP, the new facility has been designed to enhance Staffordshire Police’s training provision, ensuring officers have access to the very best environment and resources that support high-quality, near-realistic preparation. The building design includes energy efficient heating and lighting systems, and solar power generation which will minimise the running costs. As part of Morgan Sindall Construction’s commitment to the scheme and local
community, the team will also be supporting Care of Police Survivors (COPS) – a charity that provides emotional and practical support for bereaved families of police officers and staff who have lost their lives on duty.
Inclusive neurodiversity policies bring great benefits to construction sector
An overwhelming majority of project managers in the construction sector believe their company has directly benefited from extra adjustments to accommodate neurodivergent staff, a survey conducted by the Association for Project Management (APM) has revealed. The findings report 97.5% of construction project managers believed the
introduction of inclusive policies, such as the introduction of more structured routines, sensory-friendly zones in offices, and inclusive onboarding and training, all helped neurodivergent staff integrate into their businesses. Research by APM has found that making workplaces more inclusive and accessible
for neurodivergent people can bring benefits such as better problem solving, risk management and long-term planning. In addition, 98% also believe that construction project management is welcoming and supportive of people who are neurodivergent, which includes people with conditions such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia. However, many of those surveyed also think policies could be improved, with a majority saying their companies need more guidance on neurodiversity and how to accommodate neurodivergent staff. In this latest survey, more than 90% of those who identified as neurodivergent felt
confident enough to disclose that to their employer. And out of those individuals, more than 85% had adjustments made to their working patterns to accommodate this.
Civil engineering tender prices rise
The BCIS Civil Engineering TPI panel has revealed civil engineering tender prices rose by an estimated 1% between 2Q2025 and 3Q2025. The panel, comprised of cost
consultants from firms involved in multiple civil engineering tenders in the UK, advises on the latest movement in tender prices, i.e. prices agreed between client and constructor at commit to construct, as well as providing commentary on conditions affecting pricing levels. This insight helps to inform quarterly updates to the BCIS Civil Engineering Tender Price Index. Dr David Crosthwaite, chief economist at BCIS, said: “While recent government announcements have brought greater clarity on long-term investment, delivery is still sluggish. “Panellists pointed to extended pre-
construction phases, limited client-side resources and complex business case approvals as factors slowing the start of public sector projects. “This is delaying any immediate
increase in workload, though infrastructure continues to outperform other areas, with some clear hot sub- sectors.” Panellists reported that infrastructure
remains the most active sector within construction, with several sub-sectors performing strongly. Aviation was described as the fastest-
moving market, while investment is also picking up in ports and harbours, with private capital, including Middle Eastern investment in energy and vehicle logistics, driving activity. Rail is also sustaining high levels of
workload through programmes such as East West Rail and Northern Powerhouse Rail, alongside continued HS2 delivery. Water sector investment under AMP8 is starting to generate demand, particularly around underground piping works, while the recent defence spending review could stimulate work across roads, aviation and other civils sub-sectors. Labour availability and wage pressures
were described as the predominant drivers of cost inflation. For more information:
www.bcis.co.uk
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