Network Rail spend down as CP7 shift bites contractorsNetwork Rail’s £8.8bn supplier spend in the first year of Control Period 7 has sparked concern across the civils supply chain as firms warn workloads are thinner and harder to track.
The rail client’s latest supplier spend report for CP7 shows overall investment in 2024/25 dropped 5% on the prior year and sits 3% below the CP6 averag…
Trade body joins attack on CITB over funding changesThe trade body for fit-out specialists has described recent changes to training funding by the CITB as a “kick in the teeth” for contractors.
Leaders at the Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) joined the attack on training chiefs after the Enquirer highlighted industry anger at the changes last week.
The CITB has given the industry only a…
Wall of six towers planned for North London strip sitePlans have gone in for a dramatic six-tower cluster on the Hendon Goods Yard site at Barnet in North London.
The proposed mixed-use scheme will deliver 368 homes, a 243-bed hotel and a 246-bed student block on the former goods yard site.
The challenging strip site for the residential project is just 13–26m wide and 900m long, sandwiched…
M&J Evans lifts profits as eastward regional push pays offGroundworks specialist M&J Evans has lifted pre-tax profit 67% despite a dip in turnover as its regional expansion strategy starts to deliver results.
The Midlands-based housing specialist posted pre-tax profit of £3.8m for the year to December 2024, up from £2.2m, while turnover edged down 3% to £323m.
Operating profit rose 31% to…
Carey demolition cartel claim settled with developerA claim by a developer against Carey Group that it was overcharged £2.4m for demolition work has been withdrawn after both sides reached a settlement.
Hong Kong based developer Circadian Limited launched the action in March claiming it was overcharged for demolition work caught up in the industry’s bid rigging scandal.
Carey owned Scudder was…
Strabag seals financial close for £3bn HARP projectA consortium led by Austrian contractor Strabag has sealed financial close on the £3bn Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme (HARP) for United Utilities.
The North West’s 110km Haweswater aqueduct upgrade is the the UK’s first major water scheme procured under Ofwat’s Direct Procurement for Customers model.
Strabag and partners Equitix…
Civils winners revealed for £12bn National Grid high voltage workNational Grid has completed the award of its High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) infrastructure programme with civil works worth £12bn.
The third and final stage of its £59bn supply chain framework awards for the Great Grid Upgrade follows cabling and converter station deals announced earlier this year.
Six HVDC converter civ…
Fight looms for £3bn West Midlands building frameworkMarket testing has kicked off for the third-generation Constructing West Midlands framework worth up to £3bn.
Acivico, owned by Birmingham City Council, is leading the procurement of CWM3 alongside partners Solihull and Sandwell councils. The framework will cover all building works, from new-builds and extensions through to repairs, M&E,…
United Living quits new-build housing as costs mountUnited Living is pulling the plug on its £136m-turnover new build homes business taking a £22m hit following a strategic review by owners Apollo Global Management.
The contractor confirmed it will complete current housing schemes, including multi-family flats and single-family homes, but will take on no new projects.
United Living said t…
Industry anger over sudden CITB funding changesConstruction training professionals have been blindsided by sudden funding changes announced by the CITB.
The CITB has given the industry only a few weeks notice that it will be closing the current Skills & Training (S&T) fund which is worth up to £10,000 to many smaller contractors.
Other cuts include an early ending of enhanced grants for…