Thames Water bidders day for £2.2bn reservoir schemeThames Water is planning to hold an industry bidders day in March for its planned major reservoir project.
The Abingdon reservoir in Oxfordshire could cost up to £2.2bn to build and would supply water to 15m people across the South East.
Consultants Arup and Binnies have already been appointed joint venture technical partners for the schem…
Buckingham Plant Hire quits heavy kit marketBuckingham Plant Hire is quitting the heavy site machinery sector after 69 years in the market.
The firm is selling off its 72-strong fleet of Caterpillar and Volvo kit to concentrate on light equipment through the ACE Plant brand.
The decision to step away from heavy plant activities coincides with the retirement of Paul Wheeler, who has served as…
Construction output growth drops to six-month lowConstruction buyers reported a loss of momentum at the end of 2024 as total business activity in December expanded at the slowest pace since last June.
The bellwether S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) registered 53.3 in December, down from 55.2 in November and the lowest for six months.
But the index has posted above t…
Suir Engineering swoops for Scottish M&E contractorPrivate equity-backed Suir Engineering has bought Scottish M&E contractor Taylor & Fraser as it sets its sights on becoming a UK top 10 specialist contractor.
Taylor & Fraser, headquartered in Paisley, has been operating as a family-run business for 118 years, now turning over around £38m to generate a £1.4m profit.
The firm will become a Suir…
Aggregates supply firm files administration noticeAshville Aggregates and Concrete has filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator.
The materials supply and muck away specialist operates from a main yard near Heathrow Airport servicing sites across London and the South East.
The company has an extensive fleet of tippers, grab lorries and artics and has been in business sinc…
Plans in for 44-storey Manchester resi tower
Developer Glenbrook has submitted plans to build a 44-storey residential scheme in Manchester city centre.
The developer has confirmed it will now seek to appoint a contractor this year to deliver the 364 flats project, adjacent to Deansgate Train Station at Whitworth Street West.
Subject to planning approval, the developer aims to start work on t…
Adrian Speller joins brother as joint MD of Midlands builderRegional building contractor Speller Metcalfe has appointed Adrian Speller to the role of joint managing director.
Adrian, 42, has served as the Midlands firm’s technical director for several years. He has taken on the new role alongside his younger brother, current managing director, James Speller.
The appointment marks a natura…
Winner unveiled for £2.9bn aqueduct revampUnited Utilities has confirmed the STRABAG Equitix Consortium as preferred bidder to design, build, finance and maintain the replacement of six tunnel sections of the Haweswater Aqueduct.
The construction cost of the project has increased to £2.5-2.9bn from £1.75bn when the contract notice was first published in 2022.
The STRABAG Equitix Consortium…
Lendlease to sell UK construction arm to US private equity giantUS private equity firm Atlas has struck a deal to buy Lendlease’s UK construction business.
Under the terms of the agreement, Atlas will acquire Lendlease’s construction business and its operations including existing staff and the present leadership team, ensuring a seamless handover for clients and business partners.
Founded in…
HS2 set for “fundamental reset” to lower construction costsNew HS2 Chief Executive Mark Wild said the project is facing “a very serious situation” and is need of a “fundamental reset” in a bid to keep costs down to complete the rest of the route.
His comments came as a construction update revealed the majority of the deep tunnel drives and earthworks needed for the high-speed railway…