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Sales of aggregates, ready-mixed concrete, mortar and asphalt rose during the second quarter of the year. The increases reported by members of the Mineral Products Association cast doubt on the official ONS output figures which showed a decline during the same period. The MPA said: “The overall positive trend in these markets indicates an improvement in general construction activity, as these materials are used across all major construction sectors, particularly in the earlier stages of projects. “Our information, based on actual sales volumes of materials, therefore conflicts with the official ONS data on construction output for 2016 Q2, which we would have anticipated to be positive.” The MPA survey shows aggregates sales volumes increased by 1.5% in the second quarter. Aurelie Delannoy, Chief Economist at MPA…

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Hereford MP Jesse Norman has been confirmed as the new construction minister. Responsibility for construction and infrastructure is just part of Norman’s wide ranging portfolio as Minister for Industry and Energy at the the new Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, His responsibilities include: industrial policy (supporting the Minister for Climate Change and Industry) technology infrastructure/construction aerospace professional services rail supply chain energy policy (supporting the Minister for Energy and Intellectual Property) nuclear oil and gas, including shale gas

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Parts of a bridge have collapsed near Loughborough causing travel chaos on trains between the East Midlands and London. The bridge at Barrow Upon Soar collapsed during the early hours of Tuesday morning. Trains between Loughborough  and Leicester have been unable to run. Network Rail engineering teams have been working through the night and today to clear the debris but lines are not expected to reopen until tomorrow.

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Former footballer turned developer Gary Neville has revealed designs for twin towers in Manchester at the heart of the St Michael’s development. The 1.8 acre site between Jackson’s Row, Bootle Street and Southmill Street will be transformed to contain 21 and 31 storey mixed-use towers surrounded by public spaces. A planning application has been submitted, and approval is expected by the end of the year, with a start on site in spring 2017 on the £200m scheme. Neville’s Jackson’s Row Developments company has joined forces with Singapore’s Rowsley, Beijing Construction and Engineering Group International and Manchester City Council on the proposals designed by Make Architects. Neville said: “Our vision is to deliver the biggest statement in architecture and development that Manchester has seen in modern times. “Our wish is…

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Former Trade Association Forum Ltd Chairman and Company Director with a wealth of experience in strategic development and senior management takes-up new role of Executive Chairman The Considerate Constructors Scheme is pleased to announce the appointment of Isabel Martinson as Executive Chairman, with effect from 12 July 2016. The new role of the Executive Chairman will be to further develop strategies to enhance the Scheme, by taking it ‘to the next level’. The Scheme’s vision is to make registration essential for every construction site, company and supplier, large or small, to ensure continual improvement in performance leading to a step change in the image and attractiveness of construction as a sector. Isabel has had a hugely successful career that has included senior positions in the trade association sector …

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Carillion is remaining upbeat about prospects for the year after Brexit with revenue and margins up in the first six months. In an upbeat half-year trading statement this morning, Carillion chief executive Richard Howson said the group was on track to deliver growth this year with 97% of targeted revenue in place for 2016. Howson said Brexit was unlikely to impact on Carillion in the short term although the longer term effect was more uncertain. “The referendum vote in favour of the UK leaving the European Union has obviously created uncertainty for the UK economy as a whole and therefore for businesses generally, including Carillion, and it is clearly too early to predict the extent to which businesses will be impacted by this result.  “However, Carillion has no significant…

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A shortlist of three bidders has been confirmed for £2bn of development plans across Haringey in north London. The shortlisted bidders are Lendlease, Morgan Sindall with Affinity Sutton and Circle; and Pinnacle with Starwood Capital and Catalyst. The bidders who have dropped out of the race are Places for People, Galliford Try with Home Group and Urban & Civic. The Haringey Development Vehicle will work with the winning joint venture partner to deliver town centre regeneration and housing estate renewal across the borough. Over the next 20 years plans will see construction of 5,000 new homes and a new town centre in Wood Green. The leader of Haringey Council, Councillor Claire Kober said: “Today we are a step closer to appointing a partner to deliver one of the biggest regeneration…

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Highways England has revealed the line-up of a dozen consultants for its new Specialist Professional and Technical Services – SPaTS – framework. The agency plans to spend around £400m through the new arrangement over four years on support for the £11bn of capital investment in its Roads Improvement Strategy, announced in December 2014. Firms selected will offer a mix of technical engineering advice, commercial services, dispute resolution advice, insurance advice, procurement advice and post-opening project evaluation. SPaTS replaces previous routes available via T-TEAR, SPSF, PSF, and DRIP. This is an enabled framework and is available to the wider public sector.

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Select Property Group has secured planning permission for two residential tower blocks of over 500 flats for private rent in Manchester’s city centre. The two buildings, Riverside and Riverview, will operate under Select’s Affinity Living brand and will be built in a next to the Lowry Hotel on the banks of the River Irwell. Carillion is preferred contractor for the job and will start on site in October. The decision marks the third planning approval given for Select’s Affinity Living residential brand, after approval was granted for 677 apartments at Circle Square last month, a joint venture project with Bruntwood, and for 684 apartments at Embankment West in May. Located on New Bailey Street next to the riverside footpath, the 35-storey building, Affinity Living Riverview, will house 318 apartments, while the 17 storey building, Affinity…

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Construction companies have been fined £8m for safety offences since sentencing guidelines were changed earlier this year. New guidance was introduced in February instructing courts to consider the size of a company when it comes to imposing safety fines. Penalties have soared since then including a £2.6m fine for Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions after a worker was killed in a trench collapse. Insurance and risk specialist BLM has been tracking fines since the changes. BLM found that out of 101 health and safety fines issued since February, 38% affected those in the construction sector. The three highest fines alone totaled £5.6m while directors of two construction companies were also given custodial sentences. Helen Devery, partner and head of SHE practice at BLM said: “These new…

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