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In today’s news, the UK’s ascent to prominence in the global technological arena appears to have been derailed by Rishi Sunak’s ambitious goal. A minimum of 350,000 stakeholder businesses have expressed unhappiness with the way the government’s International Technology Strategy has developed. In addition, fifteen contractors have been chosen to work on road surfacing projects in Yorkshire, including Galliford Try and Colas. The companies secured positions on the £300 million four-year plan, with Galliford Try participating in three lots. Lastly, in Co. Antrim, work has started to convert the location of a former PSNI station into an entrepreneurial hub.

Building a Worldwide Tech Powerhouse in the UK Requires Construction Technology Strategy

Original Source: Construction technology strategy is key to making the UK a global tech powerhouse

Haman Manak, procurement director at Stanmore, suggests that the UK should prioritise a construction technology strategy for global tech powerhouse status. Rishi Sunak’s plan to make the UK a technology superpower has stalled. At least 350,000 stakeholder businesses are dissatisfied with the government’s International Technology Strategy.

These companies lack the infrastructure to implement the approach.

Sunak co-founded an investing firm alongside Silicon Valley’s brightest, demonstrating his dedication for this technique.

As it approaches a failed PR stunt, the Prime Minister and his government must rethink their strategy.

If you want the UK to be a tech powerhouse, look at construction. Tech innovation might have a tangible influence there.

Construction had a rough year by no fault of its own. Insolvencies plagued us in the poor economy.

Housebuilding fell, and S&P PMI data shows that activity has only recently picked up.

The industry is progressively recovering from disaster. After experiencing low margins and less business, firms are scrambling to develop future safety nets.

The sector should work together to improve processes, take on additional projects, and increase revenue.

But present on- and off-site work doesn’t meet those criteria. This industry hasn’t kept up with new technology and has obsolete processes and machinery.

Tech could help there. Tech might be used to improve augmented reality in design, automate monotonous estimating steps, or integrate AI into BIM.

Data-driven insights could improve sector efficiency and inform developments.

Using construction technology

Construction is a blank canvas for tech-savvy businesses to update and optimise all core processes.

Unfortunately, our industry’s severe technological requirement is ignored. This is because key policymakers still choose ‘trendier’ sectors.

That makes sense from one perspective. AI, fintech, e-commerce, SaaS, blockchain, and other lucrative fields appear to attract tech aficionados worldwide.

However, these areas are packed. Competition is so severe that the odds of OpenAI-like success are limited.

Construction doesn’t have this glitch. Startups want to take on a ready-to-take industry, and NBS’ Digital Construction Report shows a growing desire for high-level, complicated innovation.

It appears win-win. Tech will allow construction businesses to cut the construction cycle, take on more projects, finish more developments, and generate the healthy margin they have missed so much.

Tech entrepreneurs may produce their magnum opus and modernise an industry that needs it by tackling construction.

A problem prevents this. Awareness.

Broad construction technology strategy investment

Construction accounts for 7% of UK GDP.

The sector drives the economy and helps run daily life.

This status is undisputed, although its obsolete activities are rarely discussed.

Sunak and his cabinet should examine construction’s volatile previous months and failing technological strategy and encourage entrepreneurs to enter the field.

With net zero in mind, they may offer tax exemptions or other incentives to start-ups in the field, which would help the UK decarbonise.

However, construction firms cannot return to industry practices. They must remove any reservations and welcome British inventors and entrepreneurs to the locations.

Building might be the start of a widespread technology innovation plan. It might turn into the technologically advanced modern world and outgrow its financial problems.

Industry might make the government’s International Technology Strategy perfect. The UK would lead building and ultimately match US and Asian tech heavyweights.

Neglect the past. Innovation is welcome in construction.

Galliford Try Wins Several £300m Road Surfacing Contracts

Original Source: Galliford Try scoops multiple spots on £300m road surfacing framework

Galliford Try and Colas are among 15 Yorkshire road surface firms chosen.

Galliford Try won three lots on the £300m four-year framework.

Up to nine Yorkshire local authorities will use the framework for road-surfacing and planning.

Roadworks may involve recycling, mending, overlays, reconstruction, and resurfacing. North Yorkshire Council’s wholly owned subsidiary NY Highways runs the framework.

Galliford Try is among the first three lots of the structure. Lot one will cover work up to £500,000, while lot two will cover work between £500,000 and £2m. Lot three covers £2m–£6m jobs.

Colas joined lot four, which includes recycling, kerbing, minor drainage, and ironworks.

Local authorities including Calderdale, Bradford, Wakefield, York, Kirklees, Leeds, and East Riding of Yorkshire can use framework services.

NY Highways originally planned to name 10 contractors per property. Seven firms were named on lot four, but ten on lots one, two, and three.

Galliford Try is a major road contractor. It received the eighth-most National Highways funding in 2022/23.

The contractor also benefited in February when the Court of Appeal approved three large Norfolk A47 road works. Campaigners could appeal to the Supreme Court.

Former Co Antrim PSNI Station Site Under Construction

Original Source: Construction work begins to transform site of former Co Antrim PSNI station

An entrepreneurial hub is being built on a disused PSNI station in Co Antrim.

After buying the land from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in 2015, Glengormley PSNI station, which closed in 2012, has been vacant. Now, it will house an £8.6m Workspace Hub.

For the redevelopment, the UK Government’s Levelling Up scheme provided £3.88 million while Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council provided £4.7 million.

Once finished, the Hub will hold 300 people. This rise in daytime population is expected to enhance the town’s many businesses and restaurants, according to the Council.

According to Belfast Live, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council Director of Economic Development and Planning Majella McAlister claimed they bought the site to start a “major regeneration” of the town.

It was purchased to boost town centre growth and investment. Our goal was to give entrepreneurs a modern, accessible, high-quality location. Glengormley and this area don’t have this kind of service, so we’ll have to construct new locations to attract visitors.

Our goal is to establish an environment where we can serve businesses and entrepreneurs. We may run council services, InvestNI programmes, or local enterprise agencies projects to provide entrepreneurs and early-start businesses the best chance.”

This enhancement is part of a Borough-wide workspace strategy. In addition to similar hubs opening in Antrim and Ballyclare, the Glengormley Workspace Hub will transform workspace amenities by providing wrap-around professional support and top-notch facilities for local entrepreneurs and small enterprises.

The council’s Deputy Director of Investment, Michael McKenna, said: “This project will offer high-quality workspace to businesses of all sizes. Beginning entrepreneurs will have a lot to choose from.

“We also hope the building will be attractive to enterprises who want to grow in a high-quality facility and use the support network.

You’ll find flexible workspaces in this building. You can rent a high-collaboration room to hotdesk for the day. Also available is dedicated office space.

“Central to the building will be our atrium space which runs the full three stories and really what that will do is provide a central activity space for presentations, for workshops and bring a real buzz to the community of businesses in the building.”

From funding to delivering a meanwhile use space, the Department for Communities helped prepare the site for this fascinating project.

Gordon Lyons, Minister for Communities, said: “I welcome this investment in Glengormley to create a modern Workspace Hub on the former Police Station site, which will attract investment and benefit people.

“I was excited to come on site today to start construction and hear about the other ambitious regeneration projects my Department and Council have planned for Glengormley.”

A broader regeneration project in Glengormley includes the rebuilding of shop front façade, extensive improvements to the Farmley Road Car park and commercial area, and a new right-hand turning lane at Church Way and Glenwell Road.

Beginning in early 2025, a major public realm project will provide pathways, street furniture, lighting, and pedestrian space.

Summary of today’s construction news

In summary, the sector could ensure the flawless implementation of the government’s International Technology Strategy. In terms of construction, the UK would lead the world and eventually catch up to the tech giants of Asia and the USA.

In addition, one of the largest contractors in the road industry is Galliford Try. It was the eighth-largest beneficiary of National Highways spending in 2022–2023.

Lastly, the Department for Communities, which provided finance and supported the delivery of a temporary use space on the site, was crucial in getting the site ready for this exciting project.