The Highways Agency has published a construction timetable for the 14 major road schemes worth £1.4bn due to start on site by 2015.

Work will start on improvements to the M62 in West Yorkshire, the M4/M5 around Bristol and on the A23 in West Sussex in the next 12 months.

A further three schemes – on the M1 near Sheffield, M6 around Birmingham and A11 in Norfolk – will start in the financial year 2012-2013.

Roads Minister Mike Penning said: “These schemes will deliver vital investment across the strategic road network, driving economic growth and boosting the UK economy.”

“For every pound invested on these schemes on average we will get back £7 of benefits to the economy with some delivering even higher returns.”

The schemes will be built using the Agency’s target of reducing the cost of capital major projects by 20% against original estimates.”

The full list of planned starts between now and March 2015 is:

Start work on three projects in 2011/2012:
- A23 Handcross to Warninglid improvement scheme, West Sussex – between October 2011 and December 2011;
- M62 J25 to J30 Managed Motorway with hard shoulder running, West Yorkshire – between October 2011 and December 2011; and
- M4 J19 to J20 & M5 J15 to J17 Managed Motorways with hard shoulder running, Bristol – between January 2012 and March 2012.

Start work on three projects in 2012/2013:
- A11 Fiveways to Thetford dualling scheme, Norfolk;
- M6 J5 to J8 Managed Motorway with hard shoulder running, Birmingham; and
- M1 J32 to J35a Managed Motorway with hard shoulder running, near Sheffield.

Start work on eight schemes in 2013/14 or 2014/15:
- M25 J5 to J6/J7 Managed Motorway with hard shoulder running, Kent to Surrey
- M25 J23 to J27 Managed Motorway with hard shoulder running, Hertfordshire to Essex;
- M1 J28 to J31 Managed Motorway with hard shoulder running, Derbyshire;
- A556 Knutsford to Bowdon improvement scheme, south of Manchester;
- M60 J8 to J12 Managed Motorway with hard shoulder running, Manchester;
- M60 J12 to J15 (Lane Gain) Managed Motorway, Manchester;
- M62 J18 to J20 Managed Motorway with hard shoulder running, Manchester; and
- M1 J39 to J42 Managed Motorway with hard shoulder running, Wakefield.

The agency will also spend £900m to complete construction on seven schemes:
- A1 Dishforth to Leeming upgrade scheme in 2011/12, North Yorkshire;
- M1 J19 Catthorpe Viaduct replacement scheme in 2011/12, near Rugby;
- A3 Hindhead Tunnelling scheme 2011/12, Surrey;
- M25 J16 to J23 widening scheme in 2012/13, Buckinghamshire to Hertfordshire;
- M25 J27 to J30 widening scheme in 2012/13, Essex;
- M1 J10 to J13 Managed Motorway with hard shoulder running – 2012/13, Bedfordshire; and
- A46 Newark to Widmerpool dualling scheme in 2012/13, near Nottingham.

The Agency will also be developing a further 18 schemes in preparation for future spending review periods.

A small number of schemes will also be identified that could be accelerated to start construction before 2015 if circumstances allow.

The schemes in with a chance of being brought forward are:

- M1 Junction 19 Improvement
- M25 Junction 30
- M6 Junctions 10a – 13
- A14 Kettering Bypass
- A160/A180 Immingham
- A19 Testos
- A19/A1058 Coast Road Junction
- A21 Tonbridge – Pembury
- A27 Chichester Bypass
- A38 Derby Junctions
- A45/A46 Tollbar End
- A453 Widening
- A5-M1 Link Road
- A63 Castle Street

 BuilderScrap sourced this article from Construction Enquirer.

Industry forecasters say there will be a fall in construction output this year and another drop in 2012.

Worrying predictions from the Construction Products Association forecast a drop in output of just less than 1% in 2011 and by a further 2% in 2012.

The falls will hit as private sector construction fails to match the sharp downturn in public sector spending.

Association chief executive Michael Ankers said: “It is especially worrying that the construction industry is going to face another two years of falls in output, particularly given it is an industry that has been identified in the government’s Growth Plan as having a key part to play in the economic recovery.”

“Significant cuts in public spending are inevitable whilst the private sector remains cautious about the pace of the wider economic recovery and consumer confidence remains at low levels.”

“We welcome the steps that the government is taking to stimulate private sector growth but we do not see these in the short term as being sufficient to outweigh the public sector cuts.”

“Availability of finance remains an issue for many companies and the housing market is still being held back by the lack of finance available, particularly for first time buyers.”

The association has produced a wish list for the government to stimulate the construction sector. It wants ministers to:

- Continue to put pressure on the leading institutions to make finance available for house purchase and ensure that the range of initiatives introduced in the recent Budget actually work

- Make sure that planning authorities around the country adhere to the requirement to make a presumption in favour of sustainable development

- Ensure that the localism agenda acts as a stimulus for growth in local communities and does not create a ‘nimby’s charter’

- Try to accelerate the programme for investment in energy supply so that companies have an increased confidence about investing in the UK

- Introduce incentives to encourage householders to invest in the energy efficiency of their homes in advance of the Green Deal policy being introduced at the end of next year.’

Key elements in the latest forecasts are:

- The construction sector is forecast to fall 0.8% in 2011 and 2% in 2012 before rising 0.5% in 2013, 2.3% in 2014 and 3.9% in 2015

- Construction output in 2012 is expected to be 3% lower than the pre-recession peak in 2007

- Public sector construction work to fall £11bn by 2015; key areas to suffer falls in work include education, where work is expected to fall 53%, and health, where work is expected to fall 27%

- Private sector construction work to rise £15 billion by 2015; key areas expected to grow include commercial offices and retail, expected to rise 14% by 2015 and both infrastructure rail and energy, where work is expected to double in the next five years

- Even after five years of consecutive growth, private housing starts in 2015 are still expected to be 16% lower than in 2007, the pre-recession peak

 BuilderScrap sourced this article from Construction Enquirer.

As you know, BuilderScrap works to move surplus building materials into projects in need and away from traditional waste streams.

Recently, we have managed to place a number of items to some North West community projects and we’d like to share their comments with our members:

Rampworx:

Liverpool based Rampworx works with 1000 young people a week to help them learn and develop practical and worthwhile skills for the future.

Rampworx were the beneficiaries of several pieces of office furniture from BuilderScrap, which helped to create an improved working space for the volunteers and staff to assist Rampworx to continue its good work in the local community.

Tony Berry of Rampworx said ‘BuilderScrap is a great website which has meant we can find free and low cost materials to lower our expenditure.  We are really appreciative and would recommend the service to any community or charity projects in need of materials and supplies.’

Particip8 in Wellbeing:

Particip8 in Wellbeing work with young people to equip them with information on sensitive social issues and also help them to develop the personal skills and confidence to make good life choices.

Susan Trish from Particip8 in Wellbeing said “Just wanted to say a big thank you for our tables and office furniture we have recently purchased from BuilderScrap. We are a small not for profit organisation and have been operating now using inadequate resources to say the least!! Thanks to your organisation we are now looking rather professional and no longer feel embarrassed holding meetings in our room!!!  You have been a great help and we appreciate it!!”

Warrington Rowing Club:

Warrington Rowing Club were recipients of a number of fire doors for installation at their club house.

Club Development Officer, Graham Atherton said “Warrington Rowing Club would like to put on record our thanks to the team at BuilderScrap who have helped in providing a sustainable and cost effective supply of materials for the development of the new clubhouse. Cost savings made through using BuilderScrap have enabled the club to make more progress than expected in delivering a first class clubhouse for the local community.”

I’m Charlotte, I’ve been here on work experience this week, learning all about sustainable construction and the best ways to help save the environment as well as save some money. I was asked tolook at some of the April fools articles; this was one of my favourites.

Many construction workers have chosen to take the chance to earn overtime on the day of the royal wedding and therefore will not get a day off, but they will definitely not miss out, on the celebrations of the royal wedding!

The Queen is concerned that construction workers may ruin the photographs of the wedding procession route. So instead of wearing their usual cement splattered trousers and hi-vis jackets workers may be forced to wear ties and commemorative hard hats featuring pictures of William, Kate and a Union flag, on the day of the wedding, there will also be a range of hammers decorated with Kate Middleton’s new royal seal.

Nervous construction bosses have been sending memos ordering site workers to polish work boots and secure trousers with well-fitted belts, as they will be in full view of the world’s television cameras

An insider said: “Some of the sites are in very prominent positions- the last thing we want is a builder exposing himself as Kate’s bridal carriage passes by.”

An unnamed palace source said the Queen was quite happy to have scrubbed-up builders along the way and offered to give her royal seal of approval to a special range of construction gear.

Construction firms are trying to get round paying workers a day’s extra holiday for the royal wedding, union Ucatt claims.

A spokesperson said the union had been inundated with calls from workers concerned their employers are trying to duck paying them wages on the extra bank holiday on Friday 29^th April.

According to the union the most common ruse is to introduce a shutdown in the week beginning Easter Monday (April 25), to avoid paying workers for an extra day’s holiday.

But Ucatt says workers are entitled to pay on the bank holiday under terms agreed under the Construction Industry Joint Council Working Rule Agreement earlier this year.

A Ucatt spokesperson said: “We are getting lots of calls. Companies are trying to get out of paying this any way they can.”

George Guy, Ucatt acting general secretary, said: “It is very disappointing that employers are still trying to wheedle their way out of paying for one additional day’s bank holiday.

“Dedicated construction workers have been through very difficult times in recent years as a result of the recession. The very least they deserve is for employers to honour this holiday.”

Scotland has had a very high proportion of contractors trying to revolt against giving workers a paid day’s holiday.

Harry Frew, regional secretary for UCATT Scotland, said: “Companies need to honour the decision to make the Royal Wedding a paid bank holiday.”

He threatened: “If employers try to prevent UCATT members receiving this extra day, we will take all means necessary to secure them their full leave.”

Here at BuilderScrap we would like to wish William and Kate all the best and hope all the contractors allow their employees to enjoy the day off!

Construction activity is on the increase in Manchester with the number of new developments doubling.

Drivers Jonas Deloitte’s annual Manchester Crane Survey shows 11 new starts recorded compared with just five in the entire of 2010.

Cranes are now much more visible around the city, with building work under way at King Street, at the former Boddingtons Brewery and around the Co-op’s new headquarters on Miller Street.

Drivers Jonas Deloitte said much of the construction activity is accounted for by hotels and student housing, as several major schemes emerge on the city’s southern fringes.

These include including Unite’s £4m Arch Bar development and more than 1,200 student beds in and around Oxford Road being granted planning permission.

Adam Robson, senior surveyor from Drivers Jonas Deloitte, said: “The lack of new office development provides fertile ground for new opportunities in 18 to 24 months’ time, once existing supply has been eaten up.”

“With nothing on the horizon post-2011, large occupiers could soon be considering pre-lets.”

BuilderScrap sourced this article from Construction Enquirer.

A brand new hard hat has been released which is designed to be a deterrent for those construction workers who wolf-whistle at passers-by.

The “Stop That Hard Hat” comes with tiny speakers which play pre-recorded messages to the offending builder whenever they detect a wolf-whistle.

The first whistling offence prompts a warning about site behaviour.

And any further whistling leads to recorded readings from the works of famous feminist writers like Germaine Greer and Andrea Dworkin.

Manufacturers of the “Stop That Hard Hat” believe the politically-correct headgear will spell an end to sexist behaviour on site.

Spokeswoman Avril Una said: “The construction industry has made great strides in this field but many women are still intimidated walking past building sites.”

“We believe this product will provide a constant reminder to builders of the consequences of their behaviour.”

The company is now working on a number of further launches due this time next year including “stay high” trousers to eradicate builders bum and a pill which suppresses the desire for tea drinking.

BuilderScrap believes the industry has shed its persona of a boy’s club and embraces everyone no matter of their sex, race or religion. We hope this hard hat deters the final few who believe this behaviour is appropriate.

BuilderScrap sourced this article from Construction Enquirer.

Figures released yesterday (March 29) have shown that the UK is rapidly collapsing as a renewable energy hub.

According to the figures there has been a huge stall in what was a thriving market. It is thought this is due to the fear private investors have over the Conservative lead coalition’s position on renewable power.

World-wide statistics released by the influential American Pew Charitable Trust show that the UK’s private investment in clean energy fell by 70% in 2010.

The huge drop in UK funding is made all the more worrying by the fact investment for the rest of the world grew by 30% which means the market grew to $243 billion in 2010.

It also means Britain’s position among G-20 leaders slips from 5th in 2009 to 13th.

China remains the global leader attracting a record $54.4 billion in equity in 2010 which is a 39% increase from 2009. Germany moved up 1 place to 2nd, doubling financing to $41.2 billion and for the first time, India moved into the top 10, with $4billion in investment a 25% increase.

“With a new government in the United Kingdom, investors appear to have taken to the sidelines until there is more certainty in the marketplace,” said Pew’s clean energy program director Phyllis Cuttino.

“Our research consistently demonstrates that strong policy attracts investments. Nations like China, Germany and India, which all saw an increase, were attractive to financers because they have national policies that create long-term certainty for investors.”

Solarcentury’s head of public affairs, Seb Berry, said the results were hardly ‘surprising’.

He said: “Worryingly, there are few signs ministers are heeding the warnings from investors. “

“In less than ten months the new Government has turned the fledgling UK solar industry literally upside down with its ill-considered and frankly shambolic fast track review.”

“Ministers are living in a dream world if they think that their shock U-turn on the feed-in tariff won’t have consequences in terms of other policies or the general standing of the UK in the clean tech investor community.”

BuilderScrap sourced this article from Edie.

The fifth annual North West Regional Construction Awards, organised by the Centre for Construction Innovation, are held in May this year and we are pleased to announce that BuilderScrap have been shortlised for two awards this year.  After receiving the Carbon Reduction Award last year, we were over the moon to find out that this year we were shortlisted in the Sustainability and Business Innovation categories.

Roy Stewart, CEO & Operations Director of the Centre for Construction Innovation, said: “The calibre and range of entries gets better year on year, the previous four years have been a huge success; with past winners going on to achieve national accolades. I have no doubt that this year’s awards will, once again, prove that the North West stands at the forefront of the construction industry”.

 There is some tough competition, so please keep your fingers crossed and watch this space for more news!

Construction employees have suffered one of the severest drops in real take home pay with wages falling by £100 a month over the last two years.

The industry is one of the hardest hit by a fall in take home pay when the figures are adjusted for inflation.

The numbers will be detailed in a BBC Panorama programme which is on tonight highlighting the effect of pay freezes and a rising inflation rate.

The average British worker earned £20,149 at the start of 2011 – a real term fall of 5% from what they were earning in the middle of the recession.

The research was based on actual salaries paid into bank accounts.

It was carried out by the Centre for Economics and Business Studies and based on data on salaries from the payment processor, Vocalink, which looks after more than 90% of deposits into employees’ bank accounts.

Construction staff were hit even harder with pay packets suffering a £99 per month drop or £1,188 per year compared to the all industry average of £1,088. The research shows that if you allow for inflation, the average take-home pay is lower today than it was in 2004.

BuilderScrap sourced this article from Construction Enquirer.