Europe

Network Rail announces £800m rail haulage and seasonal services contracts Network Rail has awarded contracts worth £800m for the haulage and operations of its engineering trains and seasonal treatment services in Control Period 6 (CP6, 2019-2024). The rail haulage contracts, which include network, bulk ballast and possession engineering trains, have been awarded to Freightliner, GB …

New Volvos add to B&W Plant Hire’s huge Excavator fleet B&W Plant Hire and Sales Ltd of Blackburn, Lancashire, has taken delivery of ten Volvo EC140Es and four larger EC220Es following a successful demonstration and an overall competitive package offered by SMT GB. The new Volvo additions join a mixed fleet of some 550 excavators …

Sir John Armitt challenges the Government to build a future infrastructure fit for a post-Brexit Britain National Infrastructure Commission Chair Sir John Armitt has today called on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to use this autumn’s Spending Review to commit to a once-in-a-generation transformation of the UK’s transport, energy and technology networks. In a letter …

Eco-friendly train maker Vivarail increasing County Durham workforce Vivarail, the manufacturer of eco-friendly passenger trains, has accelerated expansion of its site in County Durham and turned it into its national research and development centre, creating new jobs faster than expected. It opened the new plant at the Spectrum Business Park, Seaham, in December 2017 to …

Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe returns to Plantworx with new models Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe (HCEE) is returning to Plantworx (11-13 June East of England Arena, Peterborough) and will show eight machines, including two new models, on the company’s 1,440 m² stand – which is located in the ‘dig zone’ area H15 – H16. What to …

Hitachi Capital awarded £136m road fleet management by Network Rail Network Rail has awarded a £136m contract to Hitachi Capital to provide integrated road fleet management services. The four-year contract will run from 1 August 2019 to 31 July 2023, with the option of a one-year extension. It marks a new way of working for …

New Motorway Services in Leeds explores world of work with primary children Primary School students from East Leeds have benefitted from a skills initiative delivered by the team behind a nearby £60m major project to build a new Motorway Services Area (MSA) on the M1. Project Developers of Leeds Skelton Lake Services, Extra MSA Group, …

Highways England rolls out Giant mobile barrier trucks Two giant 70ft-long mobile barrier lorries originally designed for military use to protect against roadside bombs are now keeping road workers and motorists safe. The 16-tonne barriers are among the latest innovations demonstrating Highways England’s commitment to investing in new technology to improve safety and minimise disruption …

Hackathon calls for experts to create radical fire safety solutions Developers, engineers, building owners, tech start-ups and coders are needed to join a central London Hackathon that will bring experts from the built environment and the digital world together to develop new, commercially viable solutions that will radically change the face of fire safety within …

Small Robots showcase sustainable farming robots at 4IR Agritech event Small Robot Company, a British Agritech start-up for sustainable farming, featured prominently in the Spring Reception for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) yesterday. Using robotics and artificial intelligence, the company has created an entirely new model for ecologically harmonious farming. …

Minster Surfacing developing technology to make roads 90% recycled Lincolnshire-based road surfacing firm, Minster Surfacing is developing technology that could lead to all roads being made from 90% recycled material. Minster Surfacing works on roads across Lincolnshire on behalf of Lincolnshire County Council and Kier Group as well as roads in Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire and major …

Shortlisted road safety schemes give drivers a clear view of approaching hazards Innovative road safety solutions which use Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) to warn drivers of approaching hazards have contributed to two out of three finalist schemes at the Scottish Transport Awards (STA). In the category for Most Effective in Road Safety, Traffic Management and …

Network Rail partnership launched to tackle increasing numbers of railway risk takers Network Rail and the British Transport Police (BTP) have today launched a new partnership with the English Football League Trust (EFL Trust) and StreetGames to help tackle the increasing number of people risking their lives on the railway. New figures released today reveal …

Excellent Volvo aftercare prompts Central Plant Hire in excavator choices Central Plant Hire of Horsham, West Sussex, has ordered a brace of Volvo EC18E compact excavators from Glosrose Construction Equipment thanks to the continued high level of aftersales support offered by both Glosrose and SMT GB. The Horsham based plant hire business has been running …

USCO SpA purchases Midland Steel Traders Parts Group The UK’s leading undercarriage and wear parts specialist Midland Steel Traders Ltd (MST) has recently been purchased by their Italian supplier and world leader in the after-market earth-moving machines components, USCO S.p.A. MST were formed in 1963 in Walsall by Ken Whitehall and has grown to become …

Plantworx 2019 features New Machines and Tech Hot on the heels of Bauma Munich, the Plantworx Construction Machinery Exhibition hosted by the Construction Equipment Association (CEA) is almost upon us! The 4th biennial working construction event is taking place at its brand-new home at the East of England Arena in Peterborough from 11-13 June. New …

VolvoCE launches Uptime Centre for EMEA region In a bid to become the customer’s number one choice for uptime in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Volvo CE has opened a new Uptime Centre with a dedicated team to proactively support Volvo dealers in providing solutions to problems that can lead to reduced uptime. Located …

Gatic Slotdrain joins the Alumasc WMS Drainage Centre of Excellence The Alumasc WMS Drainage Centre of Excellence will add Gatic Slotdrain to its portfolio from July 2019. The strategic move will mean the physical relocation of Gatic’s Slotdrain operations from their Dover site to the modern facility in Halstead, Essex. The Centre will now facilitate …

NAO report looks at the challenges of completing Crossrail In a report, published today, the National Audit Office (NAO) states that Crossrail is past the point of no return; nearly £16 billion has been spent, tunnelling was completed in 2015, trains have been ordered and some are already in service. The way Crossrail has been …

National Audit Office reports on Network Rail’s sale of railway arches The sale in February 2019 by Network Rail of a commercial property portfolio, comprising primarily of railway arches, raised £1.46 billion which was a fair price and more than expected. However, the long-term value for money of this transaction will depend how Network Rail …

The UK APM Project Management Awards 2019 are open for entries With an exciting new category line-up and a prestigious judging panel in place, the Association for Project Management (APM) has announced their Project Management Awards 2019, sponsored by RPC UK Ltd, are now open for entry. The APM Awards recognise the valuable contribution that …

SMT GB launches a new generation of Customer Support Agreements Having showcased its Site Efficiency Services campaign at Hillhead 2018, SMT GB has now introduced a new generation of Customer Support Agreements to support this ongoing initiative. With effect from April 1st 2019 SMT GB has introduced three new Customer Support Agreements (CSAs), designed to …

More than half of Brits willing to fund smart city traffic solutions New research has found an increasing appetite for smart city measures that aim to tackle urbanisation problems, such as congestion and security issues, with almost a quarter (24%) of Brits even saying they would be happy to fund these solutions using part of …

UK National College for High Speed Rail consults on name change The National College for High Speed Rail has launched a formal consultation to change its name, reflecting a growing demand for higher technical skills across a range of advanced transport and infrastructure developments, in addition to High Speed Rail. The College, which has two …

Doka Campus introduced the multi-faceted world of formwork to bauma 2019 From April 8 through to April 14, Munich was once again the largest international meeting place of the construction sector. With 620,000 visitors from 200 nations, bauma 2019 managed to attract the largest number of visitors in its 65-year history, making the event a …

Excavator specially rigged for demolition goes to Total Reclaims Total Reclaims Demolition Ltd of Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, has opted for a Volvo EC300E rigged for secondary demolition duties for the first time. Adding the Volvo thirty-tonne machine to the fleet is a change to the usual brands associated with this well-established demolition contracting company. “We operate …

Volvo Electric Excavator digs in at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show The construction of the Morgan Stanley Garden – one of this year’s main show gardens at the global consumer showcase – will be the first major project for Volvo’s new electric ECR25. Highlighting the machine’s unique capabilities for inner city environments and in keeping …

CEA and HMG Report reveals UK Construction ranked top in Europe At PLANTWORX 2019 (11-13 June, East of England Arena & Events Centre, Peterborough) the construction machinery manufacturers will demonstrate to visitors why the UK construction sector is ranked number one in Europe with a 24% market share. The prospect of Brexit has not had …

Network Rail announces £750m contract awards for nationwide signalling Network Rail has announced the award of six multi-million-pound framework contracts to deliver signalling and telecoms across the country, worth an estimated £750m for Control Period 6 (2019-2024). The signalling and telecoms (S&T) frameworks, which are split into six geographical lots, have been awarded to VolkerRail …

Minster Surfacing shortlisted for five UK National Recycling Awards Minster Surfacing, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, is a finalist for three BusinessGreen Leaders Awards and for two National Recycling Awards. Last year, the Lincoln-based company won regional awards for its commitment to green technology and innovation. These included Best Business and Overall Winner …

SWARCO Traffic signs framework agreement in Northern Ireland SWARCO Traffic Ltd has signed a new framework agreement with the Department for Infrastructure (DfI Roads) in Northern Ireland, to provide leading traffic solutions and smart technologies throughout the country. The new contract will see SWARCO Traffic supply all school signs and Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS), fully …

McCann wins fourth consecutive RoSPA Gold Award Nottingham-based civil and electrical engineering firm McCann has been named as a winner of the RoSPA Gold Award for a fourth consecutive year for successfully ensuring the safety of both its staff and contractors within the workplace over the previous 12 months. The company has achieved the Gold …

Metso delivering Hybrid Truck Bodies for the Boliden Aitik mine in Sweden Metso has won an order to deliver two Metso Truck Bodies to Aitik mine in Gällivare, Sweden owned by Boliden. In addition, Metso will supply rubber truck bed lining for five more haul trucks. Boliden has been using Metso’s rubber truck bed lining …

Young UK Professionals urge next generation to share their vision for infrastructure The UK National Infrastructure Commission’s Young Professionals Panel (YPP) today invite young people to share their vision for the future of infrastructure in the UK, as they mark one year on from their establishment. Having pledged to ensure the next generation have a …

Romanian NBG demands maximum durability from Hitachi excavators A Hitachi ZX300LC-6 medium excavator is helping NBG, a Romanian supplier of high-quality aggregates to dredge materials for use in concrete production from the Argeş River, 30km west of the capital, Bucharest. The Zaxis-6 machine was delivered in October 2018 by Hitachi’s authorised local dealer, Utirom Invest …

TRL looks at driver distraction and if it is time to update our evidence base The Chief Executive of Highways England recently expressed concerns about the safety of in-car touchscreens and the potential for distracting drivers. This is a concern echoed by many fleet managers, who have seen the in-vehicle environment become ever more filled …

WPI praise exceptional Volvo Pavers and faultless SMT GB support Joint Managing Director, Steven Igoe, of Middlewich based WPI Group praises the aftersales support “can do” attitude provided by Volvo Construction Equipment’s distributor, SMT GB. “That’s why we’ve taken the decision to broaden our experience of owning and operating Volvo wheeled pavers to also encompass …

Coastal drivers see the benefits of SolarLite road safety scheme in Guernsey The number of drivers feeling safe travelling along two of Guernsey’s key roads has more than doubled following the installation of solar powered road studs. In response to driver concerns about navigating unlit, narrow coastal roads after dark, Clearview Intelligence’s SolarLite Active Road Studs …

TE Connectivity to showcase latest products and technology at Battery Show Europe TE Connectivity (TE), a leader in connectivity and sensors, will showcase the latest innovations from its end-to-end power distribution, battery control and connectivity portfolio at the Battery Show Europe 2019. Visitors to Booth #940 at the May 7 – 9 trade show, in …

Plant Hire UK orders £17m JCB Loadall and Excavator Fleet JCB has secured a major deal with Plant Hire UK for new fleets of Loadalls and compact excavators worth almost £17 million. The deal will see the leading UK hirer strengthen its construction machinery line-up by purchasing 300 new JCB Loadalls and 50 compact excavators …

Holmes Sand and Ballast bag two new Volvo L150Hs Loading Shovels Holmes Sand & Ballast Ltd have taken delivery of two new Volvo L150H loading shovels for its Masters Quarry sand pit near Wareham in Dorset. The two new 25-tonne loading shovels take over the primary duties at Masters Quarry and were chosen following a …

ULEZ scheme set to favour motorcycles in London A survey of 1,000 Londoners to find out if they will make any changes due to the new regulations being introduced for the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) found that 82.1% of Londoners have, or have thought about changing their transport in preparation for the Ultra Low …

Advanced Construction Robotics announces their 2nd autonomous construction robot Last Wednesday morning at Bauma, the world’s leading construction machinery trade fair, Advanced Construction Robotics (ACR) announced to an international audience their next robotic construction solution, IronBot. IronBot is a rebar placement robot that is designed to lift, carry and place rebar in horizontal reinforced concrete …

1 in 12 work in Project Management and contribute £156bn to the UK economy New research, commissioned by the Association for Project Management (APM) and conducted by PwC UK, has for the first time revealed the scale of the contribution the project profession makes to the UK economy. The new report, entitled ‘The Golden Thread’, …

Huge range of Cat Equipment, Technology and Services on display at Bauma Caterpillar is showcasing more equipment, technology and services than ever before at bauma 2019, the world’s largest construction industry trade show in Munich, Germany. The expansive Caterpillar display features diverse product lines with new offerings, as well as an interactive display of the …

R Tough Plant Hire sticking with Volvo Excavator Is the sentiment of Robbie Tough, Managing Director of R Tough Plant Hire Ltd, Carluke, Lanarkshire, as he takes delivery of a brand new Volvo EC220E into his fleet. Since establishing his plant hire business in 2006, Managing Director, Robbie Tough, has been associated with Volvo Construction Equipment …

GKD Technologies and Kobelco team up at Bauma It’s safety first at Bauma, and with this firmly in mind, GKD Technologies have teamed up with Kobelco Construction Machinery Europe, and have installed a GKD 2RCi slew control system to one of Kobelco’s demonstration machines at the show on stand FN1016. The 2RCi rated capacity indicator …

INTERMAT Paris set for April 2021 Every three years, INTERMAT Paris is the global meeting place for professionals working in equipment, machinery, technology and materials for construction and infrastructure. Supported by its solid foothold in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with 83% of its international visitors from the EMEA zone, INTERMAT Paris 2018 served …

Open Source safety initiatives launched at Traffex 2019 by Highway Care The highway safety and mobile traffic product supplier Highway Care is launching two products at Traffex 2019 to keep workers safe behind barriers in roadworks areas and remind drivers to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. To support Highways England’s “Space …

Highway Care wins RoSPA Gold Award for health and safety practices Highway Care, has been handed a prestigious award in recognition of its practices and achievements in helping its staff, customers, clients and contractors get home safely at the end of the working day. Highway Care has achieved a Gold in the internationally-renowned RoSPA Health …

COBOD 3D concrete printer to print 2 storey Belgian Kamp C Following the announcement a couple of weeks ago that Danish COBOD International had received an order for the largest 3D construction printer in the world from Saudi Arabia, COBOD continues to make news with their 3D Construction printing activity. COBOD has now announced that …

Parking just got very smart and is closing in on illegal vehicles Alerting drivers about individual empty spaces, helping authorities maximise use, an end to Blue Badge fraud, using the car as a credit card, and using machine learning to crack down on offenders – the world of car parking has become smarter for users …

Advanced ITS solutions from Siemens Mobility at Traffex As the world-leader in traffic management technology, Siemens Mobility Limited will be exhibiting a broad range of integrated solutions on stand D010 at Traffex 2019, showcasing systems that help deliver safe, clean and efficient transport networks. With digitalisation solutions, Siemens Mobility enables mobility operators worldwide to make …

10 bespoke impact protection vehicles driving success for A Cones Traffic management specialist A Cones has become the first customer to benefit from a new strategic alliance which is transforming the sector’s vehicle supply market. The Black Bourton, Oxfordshire-based operator has commissioned a fleet of 10, highly bespoke impact protection vehicles (IPVs) built by the …

Royal Institute of British Architects to open Clore Learning Centre in London in October The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) will be opening an inspiring new learning space within its central London landmark building on 29 October 2019. The RIBA Clore Learning Centre, designed by architects Hayhurst & Co, will be a new destination …

SJ Walchester gets a major boost with Sandvik QJ341 with Security+ A leading specialist recycler of construction and demolition waste from Stoke on Trent has received a major boost in operational productivity and efficiency. SJ Walchester recently acquired QJ341 tracked jaw crusher from Sandvik has impressed all at the company with its reliability, effectiveness and …

Bury Council turns to Yotta for reactive Highways and Street Lighting maintenance Technology company, Yotta has won a two-year contract to deliver its flagship connected asset management software solution, Alloy, and supporting services to Bury Metropolitan Borough Council. The council plans to use Alloy to help manage the reactive maintenance of its highway networks and …

Highways England announces new study on trans-Pennine roads Highways England is to lead a £300,000 study looking at major improvements to the trans-Pennine road links between the M65 in East Lancashire and parts of Yorkshire, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling announced today. The study – due to start in April – will consider what enhancements could …

PERI to promote CADENAS for BIM CAD scaffolding component library at bauma At bauma 2019, the world’s leading trade fair for construction machinery, PERI GmbH will be presenting its new BIM CAD library for scaffolding system components, which was created in close cooperation with CADENAS GmbH. PERI, one of the leading international manufacturers and suppliers of …

Europe failing to reach the target for the reduction of road traffic deaths The gap between the European Union’s (EU) 2020 target for reducing the number of deaths caused by road traffic accidents and the actual number of incidents is increasing. Despite the total number of deaths caused by road traffic accidents decreasing by 20% …

Four brand new JCB 457 Wheel Loaders for Kent waste firm Countrystyle Recycling Privately-owned waste recycling business, Countrystyle Recycling, has further improved on-site handling efficiency at its flagship facility at Sittingbourne, Kent, with the introduction of four JCB 457 wheeled loaders. Countrystyle provides specialist waste recycling, haulage and recovery services for a range of industrial …

Network Rail announces preferred bidders for final £1.5bn track works Network Rail has announced the final preferred bidder for delivery of track upgrade works for the next decade in Central England. It includes track, points, and associated overhead lines and signalling, and is worth an estimated £1.5bn over 10 years. The latest contract award covers …

Skyjack will show what Canada is made of at Bauma 2019 Skyjack is excited to take the show indoors this year at bauma in Munich, Gemrany. The industry leader is bringing an assortment of fleet favourites, product updates, and some Canadian flair with them to the world’s largest trade fair. Hailing from this year’s partner …

VMS industry gets a boost with SWARCO and SRL Traffic Systems collaboration SWARCO and SRL Traffic Systems have agreed a significant new collaboration in the Variable Message Sign (VMS) industry. SRL have purchased 100 mobile VMS from SWARCO in a deal valued in excess of £2.25 million, representing a significant development for the UK market. …

Network Rail and Land Sheriffs tackling railway incidents causing major delays Network Rail have teamed up with security experts Land Sheriffs to reduce incidents which can cause delays on the railway and bring better, more reliable services for South Western Railway passengers. Land Sheriffs are working alongside Network Rail and the British Transport Police across …

Liebherr-France SAS invests €5 million in new assembly line Liebherr-France SAS in Colmar has put a new assembly line into operation. It is based on the principles of lean management, and will thus contribute to further improvements in quality and productivity. Overall, the company has invested €5 million in the XY-metre-long production line. The main …

SWARCO celebrates 50th birthday with new product launches at TRAFFEX SWARCO is celebrating its 50th anniversary by bringing all of its portfolio of solutions together in one place for the first time in the UK, and reflecting its mission to improve quality of life by making the travel experience safer, quicker, more convenient and environmentally sound. …

Two Volvo A45G Articulated Hauler’s for GCE Hire Fleet in Peterborough GCE Hire Fleet Ltd of Whittlesey near Peterborough has added two new Volvo A45Gs articulated hauler to its park of predominantly Volvo badged equipment. “We have a long association with Volvo Construction Equipment products operating excavators, loading shovels and articulated haulers,” says GCE’s Managing …

Highways England unveils £7 million M6 upgrade near Carlisle A £7 million package of maintenance and repairs along the M6 near Carlisle in Cumbria which will keep drivers and the local economy, smoothly and safely on the move, has been unveiled by Highways England. The work includes resurfacing the main motorway carriageway, upgrading the roundabout …

Mental health, diversity and technology driving the future of the construction workforce The construction industry has experienced a series of uncertainties and labour shortages over the past few years. Looking into what factors are directly affecting the nation, world leading recruiter Randstad has interviewed some of the construction industry’s key players, to find out what …

Annual salary survey reveals Project Management is a positive and weather-proof career choice The findings of the latest annual ‘Salary and Market Trends Survey’ from the Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered professional body for the project profession, suggests that the future of project management is bright – with nearly eight out of ten …

Sacyr awarded construction of Tenerife South Airport interconnecting building The project will transform the airport by integrating the two buildings into a single terminal area and providing 14,000 m² of new surface area. Sacyr Ingeniería e Infraestructuras will build the junction building between terminals T1 and T2 of the Tenerife South Airport for €44.16 million. …

The Volvo ECR355E Excavator just makes sense for Skipton Properties Replacing a four-year old conventional thirty-tonne EC300E Excavator, Skipton Properties has opted for Volvo’s recently introduced reduced swing radius ECR355E for its bespoke house building projects. Skipton Properties are no strangers to owning and operating Volvo construction equipment products, currently using compact excavators a loading …

FMB survey finds we would rather our children did an apprenticeship than a degree More parents in the UK want to see their child undertake an apprenticeship than a university degree, according to new research by the Federation of Master Builders. To mark National Apprenticeship Week in England and Wales, which ran from 4th to …

Watson-Marlow to showcase fluid handling technology at bauma A wide range of robust fluid handling technology solutions will be showcased by Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group at Bauma 2019. Solutions for tunnel boring machines Of particular note this year is the company’s response to growth in the tunnel boring machinery (TBM) market. TBMs require the most …

H and H  start-up in Waste Management with Volvo Equipment H & H Waste Management Ltd, part of the Hoban Group, has taken delivery of a Volvo loading shovel in the guise of an L180H and an EW240E materials handler for its recently acquired waste handling facility located at Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Both machines are the …

CABE Conference set to debate professional excellence Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) is delighted to announce its annual two-day conference and exhibition will take place in Manchester on the 3-4 October 2019. Themed Achieving Professional Excellence, the conference will be continuing the conversation of competency, culture and value engineering started last year by Dame …

Do we need to put the brakes on Britain’s Smart Motorways? Almost all of us use the motorway network as part of our travels across the country and as Smart Motorways are continuing to be rolled out, we are all developing opinions and perhaps some understanding on their positive and negative impacts. Smart motorway is …

The UK National Homebuilding and Renovating Show This year’s National Homebuilding & Renovating Show will be held at the NEC in Birmingham from 28 to 31 March 2019. The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show is sponsored by Hormann, a leading retailer of garage doors, will also welcome for the first time Sian Astley, lady builder …

J D Forktrucks cement Hyundai deal with Tracey Concrete in Northern Ireland J D Forktrucks, based in Newtownabbey Northern Ireland has recently completed a deal with leading Enniskillen based, precast concrete products manufacturer, Tracey Concrete, for two brand new Hyundai 7,000 kg 70D-9 diesel counter balance forklifts. Tracey Concrete is a family owned and run …

First Liebherr R 936 compact crawler excavator for Elboka NV in Belgium Last August, SOMTP Belgium delivered the first of the new R 936 Compacts in Benelux to earthmoving company Elboka N.V. With an operating weight of around 36 tonnes, the R 936 Compact crawler excavator is the largest compact crawler excavator produced by Liebherr-France …

Network Rail launches public design exhibition and Design Panel Network Rail has launched a public exhibition at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) showcasing the best footbridge designs that were submitted as entries to an international competition last year. The competition – which challenged entrants to design fully accessible footbridges that could be used …

BCL Groundworks in Somerset switch to VolvoCE reduced swing excavators Breaking with tradition, Bridgwater based BCL Groundworks Ltd has opted for four Volvo reduced swing excavators for the first time, having considered third-party recommendations and the package presented by SMT GB. With its operating headquarters based at Bridgwater, Somerset, BCL Groundworks Ltd has broken with …

Siemens Mobility awarded four year contract by DfI in Northern Ireland Siemens Mobility has been awarded a new four-year contract by the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) in Northern Ireland. The contract covers both the maintenance and development of the existing traffic management systems, which are largely located in Belfast, and replaces the previous contract which …

UK Road Industry responds to the lack of local road investment in Spring Statement The Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) believes that the lack of any mention of investment in the local road network in yesterday’s Spring Statement undermines the Chancellor’s stated aim to ensure that the UK is open to business. Mike Harper, RSTA …

Sweco to supervise the renovation of the Belliard and Loi tunnels in Brussels The consortium of Sweco and BG Ingénieurs Conseils has been appointed by Brussels Mobility for the design and supervision of the large-scale renovation of the Belliard and Loi tunnels. The order value is SEK 56 million (€5.3 million). The tunnels, located in …

Institute of Quarrying UK Study Tour to focus on the North West This year’s Institute of Quarrying (IQ) study tour for students from the University of Derby’s Centre for Mineral Products runs from 18-22 March 2019 and takes in a number of different mineral extraction and processing sites located across the North West of England. …

Research shows the British public think public transport is outdated and unfit for purpose The British public feels the public transport sector does not meet its expectations of modernisation and functionality, according to new research commissioned by Fujitsu. The research, conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Fujitsu, paints a stark picture of consumers’ experiences and …

Hexagon to present new intelligent construction technology at bauma 2019 Hexagon’s Geosystems and Mining divisions are presenting an extensive portfolio of construction and site management technology at bauma, the world’s largest trade fair in the construction industry, taking place at Messe München in Munich, Germany, from 8-14 April 2019. Hexagon will be announcing several new …

A look at the factors driving Britain’s Construction Companies to innovate Businesses who innovate and develop new products, services and processes – generally put themselves ahead of competitors and are in a better position to adapt to any changes in the needs/expectations of their customers. Those companies that fail to innovate, will undoubtedly suffer from …

Road Marking innovations highlight how technology is driving change at Traffex A knee-high robot that marks white lines accurately and at high speed; innovative paint that can deal with the road surface at level crossings; a ride-on road marker that resembles a Harley Davidson – but is silent; and new treatments that are durable, skid-resistant …

Highways England A14 project scoops national Archaeology Award Highways England’s work to tap into the nation’s history while delivering huge road improvements has received national recognition. In a public vote, the archaeological work carried out as part of the company’s £1.5 billion upgrade of the A14, the crucial route linking the East of England and the …

Ridgway Rentals increases Telehandler stock to over 200 machines for Hire and Sales Shropshire based Ridgway Rentals has announce a significant expansion in the number of JCB telehandlers they have available to hire or purchase. Due to popular demand, Ridgway have increased their telehandler stock to over 200 machines – all available with a full range …

AGD Systems acquires Radix Traffic Ltd Leading manufacturer of ITS product solutions, AGD Systems Limited, has acquired Radix Traffic Limited as part of its ambitious plans for growth. Radix, which is based in Romsey, Hampshire, is the largest manufacturer of ‘rotating cone’ tactile equipment to assist visually impaired pedestrians at signalised crossings. Radix designs and …

STRABAG consortium starts upgrade of bridges along A9 motorway near Allersberg A consortium consisting of STRABAG AG, subdivision Bavaria North, and Ed. Züblin AG, Subdivision Bridge Construction, will today begin near Allersberg with the upgrade of a total of eight bridges on the A9 motorway between the Nuremberg/Feucht interchange and the Hilpoltstein junction on behalf …

Railway reopens thanks to the help of Ivy and Holly the robots The railway between Taunton and Exeter St David’s has reopened after a three-week closure thanks to Ivy and Holly the robots who helped carry out vital maintenance work in Somerset. The line reopened on Saturday (9 March) after Network Rail, with the help …

The UK is urged to make a splash for wildlife For this year’s Wild About Gardens challenge, The Wildlife Trusts and the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) are calling on people to put in a pond. From mini container ponds to larger sunken ponds, it’s THE garden feature that can make the biggest difference to wildlife. …

VolvoCE to test RC Wheel Loaders when Sweden gets first industrial 5G network Telia, Ericsson and Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) have launched Sweden’s first 5G network for industrial use today at Volvo CE’s facility in Eskilstuna. Volvo CE will then become one of the first in the world to use 5G technology to test …

Eurovia Contracting South to install high-tech Digital CCTV system across Dover district Eurovia Contracting South’s CCTV division will install a new high-tech digital system across Dover, Deal and Sandwich after being awarded a £280,000 contract that will also improve public access Wi-Fi. The existing system and current CCTV control room will be significantly upgraded, after …

ALE custom transport solution delivers historic WW2 Rescue Launch ALE has designed bespoke equipment to complete the jacking, transportation and installation of a fragile Second World War rescue vessel, Rescue Motor Launch (RML) 497, in Hartlepool, UK. The specially-tailored solution minimised disruption at the docks and during the heavy haulage transportation, and was the most …

UK Government utility proposals fail to address the real pothole issue New government proposals to force utility companies to maintain roads for five years after digging them up have been welcomed by the Road Surface Treatments Association – RSTA. However, such proposals will not address the real issue affecting the pothole riddled road network: the …

MVIS and Bartco UK achieve ISO Health and Safety Management accreditation Intelligent transport system (ITS) solution providers, MVIS and Bartco UK, have further cemented their reputation for quality service, becoming two of the first companies in the sector to achieve the 45001:2018 accreditation for ISO Health and Safety management. The new certification joins existing accreditations …

The Screwfix Trade Apprentice Competition 2019 is now open for entries! The wait is over! This year’s Screwfix Trade Apprentice competition opened for entries on Monday 4th March. Every year, Screwfix searches for the best up-and-coming trade talent. Are you an apprentice who thinks you have what it takes to stand out from the crowd? …

Network Rail slashes red tape for investors and builders as railways open for business Sweeping new reforms to how railway projects are run – cutting cost, internal bureaucracy and red tape – are making Britain’s railways more attractive commercially to investors and builders, meaning passengers and taxpayers could see more improvements in the future, paid …

Portuguese Clay exporter Leca delighted with their Hitachi ZW220-6 loaders A new Hitachi ZW220-6 wheel loader has been delivered to Leca to support its operations near the community of Avelar, where the Portuguese company has been mixing and exporting clay since 1969. The machine was supplied in June 2018 as part of a package of …

Italian Cruise ship lengthened with support from ALE Heavylift ALE Heavylift has used its skidding and heavy transportation expertise to successfully lengthen a cruise ship in Palermo, Italy. The cruise ship, Grimaldi Roma, originally measured up to 225m. Once the new section was installed, another 30m was added onto the ship, taking it to around …

New research reveals the extent of the UK and London’s pothole crisis EFFORTS to encourage commuters to shun their cars in favour of bikes is putting lives at risk, with new research revealing the alarming extent of the UK’s pothole problem. The number of potholes plaguing Britain’s roads continues to soar, despite the £6bn allegedly …

Highways England consultation on A66 improvements to start in May Investment of more than a billion pounds in the A66 from Cumbria, through County Durham and into North Yorkshire will move a step closer in May as Highways England begins a non-statutory public consultation on ideas to complete the dualling of this important Northern Trans-Pennine …

McCann continues investing in the next generation of civil and electrical engineering talent Nottingham-based civil and electrical engineering firm McCann is continuing to invest in the next generation of industry experts after recruiting electrical apprentice Silas Reasbeck as part of its growing UK-wide team. Silas recently joined McCann as a Trainee Electrical Installation Engineer, operating …

New Wildlife mobile app helps identify signs of protected species on construction sites CIRIA and The Ecology Consultancy have announced the launch of their new Working with Wildlife mobile app to identify protected species, which is now available as a free download from the App Store for Apple devices and from the Google Play Store …

Eurovia UK invests £7m in PolyBitumens plant to enhance the UK highway network The Member of Parliament for Thurrock, Jackie Doyle-Price, has today officially opened PolyBitumens, the new state-of-the-art production plant in Thurrock, which represents a £7.0m investment by Eurovia UK to improve the long-term sustainability and resilience of the UK highway network. This multi-million-pound …

All-wheel steering for Construction Machines enabled by EHLA PLUS Electro-hydraulic steering systems for rear axles have been standard in commercial vehicles and complex construction machinery for many years. In the case of commercial vehicles, the use of electro-hydraulic auxiliary steering is primarily to ensure compliance with the legal requirements. Without a steered rear axle the …

Get your career on track with the Network Rail apprenticeship scheme This National Apprenticeship Week (4-8 March), Network Rail Wales and Borders is calling for people to join its award-winning apprenticeship scheme, as it embarks on its £2bn five-year funding plan to improve journeys for passengers. Bill Kelly, route managing director for Network Rail in …

Wirtgen W 220 cuts milling time in half at the foot of Mont Blanc in Italy Somewhat surprisingly, the Wirtgen W 220 large milling machine’s first job in Italy did not take the high-performance machine to a highway but to a winding country road at the foot of Mont Blanc in the northwest of the …

Morris Site Machinery awarded trusted supplier status Leading equipment manufacturer Morris Site Machinery has been awarded ‘Trusted Supplier’ status in recognition of its quality and commitment to best practice. The Hire Industry Trusted Suppliers accreditation from The Hire Association of Europe and Event Hire Association (HAE EHA) is a hallmark of quality in training, safety, …

Move over Lord Sugar, Network Rail is looking for engine-eous apprentices Are you excited about engineering, passionate about learning and want to work as part of a team to transform Britain’s rail network? If so, an apprenticeship at Network Rail Anglia could be for you. As part of National Apprenticeship Week (running 4-8 March), Network …

MPQC are revolutionising Apprenticeships in Extractives MPQC are not only apprenticeship experts in the Mineral Extractives industry but the organisation also uses apprenticeships itself to recruit new talent. We hear from the two latest MPQC Apprenticeship graduates on why they took this route into a career. MPQC have apprenticeships at its core with each department …

Liebherr-France SAS unveils their 60,000th crawler excavator in Colmar On Friday, Liebherr-France SAS presented the 60,000th crawler excavator to all its staff. The R 922 from the Liebherr Group’s latest generation was equipped with special panels designed by the artist Jean Linnhoff especially for this occasion and to mark this historical moment. The 60,000th crawler …

Stechford rail station to get step-free access with £3.9 million revamp Work will start later this month to install new lifts, ramps and a footbridge at Stechford station to ensure step-free access across all three platforms for the first time. The £3.9m upgrade to make the station accessible for everyone will be complete for West …

Association for Project Safety launches annual CDM and Student Designer Awards The national search is now on for champions in design and construction health and safety risk management. The annual awards of the Association for Project Safety [APS] aim to harness the power of industry leaders to help reduce deaths, accidents and ill-health associated with …

British drivers urged to clean up their act as part of a national litter campaign Highways England has called on drivers to join them in doing their bit to reduce littering levels on the nation’s motorways. Litter presents a serious safety risk besides being unsightly and a risk to wildlife and the environment. Around 200,000 bags …

Clearview will be installing knowledge with free CPD training courses Roadside engineers tasked with installing wireless vehicle detection can now benefit from free CPD-accredited training. Clearview Intelligence is offering the new half-day courses on selected dates in March and May at its headquarters in Milton Keynes. The course, delivered by Clearview’s Product Specialist Alastair King …

PERI solution keeps cantilever bridge project on schedule in Northern Macedonia Upon completion, a new, almost 65 km long motorway will connect the cities of Kičevo and Ohrid in the south west of the North Macedonian Republic. On the first section between Kičevo and Podvis, it was necessary to build a 381 m long viaduct. …

Ritchie Bros. sells over 2,600 items for €37 million in The Netherlands Last week Ritchie Bros. conducted its first Moerdijk, The Netherlands auction of 2019, selling more than 2,600 equipment items and trucks for €37+ million (US$42+ million). The two-day (February 28 – March 1, 2019) unreserved public auction attracted close to 1,900 bidders from …

British customs expert advises Transitional Simplified Procedures for Brexit British businesses importing goods from the EU should consider applying for and using Transitional Simplified Procedures (TSP) to prepare for Brexit and avoid huge delays at ports, regardless of the outcome of current negotiations, a leading expert from The Customs People warns. HMRC unveiled the procedures …

Competition winners announced for to drive automated rail infrastructure design Network Rail and Innovate UK are pleased to announce Costain Limited, Graffica Limited, PEAN Technologies Limited and Plume Rail Limited are the winners of their collaborative research and development competition grant. The competition, launched in November, asked entrants to develop solutions relevant to rail that …

The I in BIM – Who actually owns the data and the database holding it? Data is big business. An article from May 2017 in The Economist described the dependency of the global economy on data flows. Whether these are being used to develop A.I., improve manufacture, enhance medical research, reveal individual consumer preferences, or …

Safety and more convenient PERI climbing technology at bauma 2019 The PERI climbing technology has become even safer and more convenient to use. The solutions presented by PERI at bauma 2019 follow a modular construction principle complete with a high degree of standardisation. In climbing technology, PERI has been offering a wide range of systems …

KLEEMANN presents innovative and environmentally-friendly solutions at bauma At this year’s bauma, Kleemann presents a comprehensive cross-section of its innovative product portfolio with a total of seven mobile crushing and screening plants. High-performance machines and environmentally-compatible solutions for natural stone and recycling applications will be presented. The MOBICAT MC 120 Z PRO for demanding quarry …

Liebherr to launch a new era of machine communication at bauma with INTUSI At bauma 2019, Liebherr will unveil INTUSI, its INTeractive USer Interface, to the public for the first time. This innovative, adaptive and intuitive operating concept will revolutionise the communication between and with construction machines. INTUSI connects Liebherr construction machinery and material handlers …

Germany’s largest lifting bridge pushes formwork technology forward The Hamburg Port Authority (HAP), the agency responsible for the infrastructure of the Port of Hamburg, wants to improve the flow of traffic across the Süderelbe River by building the New Kattwyk Railway Bridge. For the construction of the bridge piers, Max Bögl and Doka are relying …

ALE’s offshore engineering expertise proves itself on world’s biggest offshore windfarm project ALE has used their offshore engineering expertise to complete their full scope of work on one of the biggest offshore windfarm projects in the world, Ørsted’s Hornsea Project One. As well as deploying new and innovative equipment for the first time, ALE has …

Diggerland Theme Parks order 24 JCB Skid Steer Loaders A fleet of 24 JCB skid steers is destined for a unique working life – as the stars of a children’s theme park. The JCB135 skid steer loaders are being enlisted for duty on the ‘JCB Robots’ driving experience at four Diggerland parks in Kent, Devon, …

Construction Technology advances are driving a whole new Traffex Bigger and better than any highways and transport event in its 40 year history, Traffex 2019 at the NEC in Birmingham is all about the future: of mobility and the road space; of the way transport is funded and operated; and of the people who will …

UK Construction Equipment sales showed modest growth in 2018 Retail sales of construction and earthmoving equipment in the UK market grew by 2% in 2018, after experiencing a fall in the last quarter of the year. Prior to the 8% reduction in sales in Q4 (compared with Q4 2017), the trend over the previous two …

Minerals Matter brings the latest VR technology to Wainwright & Co’s Outreach Programme When HR Director at John Wainwright & Co, Lisa Saunders realised that her company’s outreach to young people needed a boost, Minerals Matter, an initiative tasked with encouraging people into the sector, knew just who, and what, to send. MP Futures’ Dr …

Severn Trent is looking for a robotic water infrastructure assessment partner Water and waste company, Severn Trent, is on the lookout for new and innovative ways to manage its water pipe network, and is now looking to the innovation and technology sector to help provide solutions to some very specific issues. The company is looking …

ALE’s bespoke bracket design ensures safe gantry move over UK Rail line ALE has used its internal engineering expertise to create a special solution that could move a gantry crane, weighing 290t, over live rail lines in the safest way possible. ALE was contracted by the Costain Skanska joint venture for moving the gantry crane …

Major Highways England milestone for A14 as huge new bridge completed Better journeys on the A14 are one big step closer now that construction has been completed on the biggest bridge in the Highways England £1.5 billion A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon upgrade. The River Great Ouse Viaduct stretches for half a mile and, when it …

PLANTWORX all set to take off with the COMIT Drone Zone The use of Drones in construction has grown dramatically in recent years and there is an aerial revolution happening across the entire industry. These flying cameras or UAV’s (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) are transforming the way we work – from small-scale construction sites to mammoth …

St Austell’s Victorian footbridge finds new home at Helston heritage railway The Victorian era footbridge at St Austell station in Cornwall was removed this weekend before being transported 30 miles to its new home at Helston heritage railway. The footbridge, which dates from 1882, is no longer required at the station, owing to the installation …

New Volvo Loaders arrive at Sheephill Quarry in Scotland Breaking with its traditional brand of loading shovel, Thompson Quarries, a division of William Thompson & Son (Dumbarton) Ltd has opted for a brace of Volvo L180H wheeled loaders for its quarrying activities for the first time. “Moving to the Volvo brand has been a great …

Chorley Council appoints WYG to produce Highways and Transport Strategy Chorley Council has appointed professional services firm WYG to produce a highways and transport strategy to address future challenges associated with congestion, travel choice, and sustainability. To create the strategy, WYG will review current transport provision and practice, highlighting the potential impact of new jobs …

HS2 – a better connected Britain or a financial folly? There has been a lot of talk about HS2 and about how, once completed, it will help to shrink the north-south divide and provide a much-needed transport spine across the country. However, if recent reports are to be believed government sources are claiming that there …

Traffic Group Signals to launch at Traffex 2019 Traffic Group Signals, a new division of The Traffic Group, will launch at Traffex 2019 on 2-4 April at the NEC Birmingham. The Traffic Group has a portfolio of market-leading businesses focused on product solutions designed to help create safer, greener and more efficient traffic and transport …

Iconic clocktower in Cardiff Central is being revamped as part of rail station refurbishment Network Rail Wales & Borders engineers have revealed some of Cardiff Central station’s long-lost secrets as they deliver essential refurbishment work. The work to the Grade II listed art deco station, originally built in 1850 and redesigned in the 1930s, includes …

NIC recommendations could ensure the UK benefits from world class infrastructure Ministers have a real and exciting chance to set the course for the UK to have world-leading infrastructure, Sir John Armitt said today. The chairman of the NIC (National Infrastructure Commission) pointed to the action taken to date to enact the Commission’s recommendations – and …

UK commuters losing the plot over congestion and pothole damage on route to work More than a quarter of UK adults who commute across a city or town by car (27%) say that on average they spend more than 20 minutes of that commute in slow-moving traffic. That’s according to new research commissioned by technology …

Rapid to exhibit innovative Track-Mounted Mobile Continuous Mixing Plant at Bauma From 8-14 April, Rapid will offer a unique opportunity to experience its latest innovation, Trakmix, track-mounted mobile continuous mixing plant at Bauma, Munich, 2019. The machine will be on display at Rapid’s stand, located in outdoor area FS, number 907/1. Information on the newly …

Two-piece boom CASE CX370D faces the task of quarrying Luserna Stone in Northern Italy In the interwar years, around 90% of the Turin’s stairs and pavements were constructed from locally quarried Luserna Stone, a durable and attractive stone, with the Mole Antonelliana using slabs to support its looming brick tower. Turin is also CASE’s European …

MPA Group partners with the CEA to offer advice on tax relief for research The CEA has formed a partnership with The MPA Group to provide help and advice for members on claiming tax relief on their R&D activity. This is because only one in four eligible companies claim the tax relief that is available …

Clearview Intelligence sees signs of improvement at dangerous junction A road safety initiative installed at a crossroad junction has reduced collisions and delivered a 97 percent first year rate of return against the potential cost of an accident. Clearview Intelligence and Scotland TranServ worked in partnership to install vehicle detection and vehicle activated signs (VAS) …

New Generation of WIRTGEN Cold Milling Machines to be launched at bauma Bauma 2019 will feature a world premiere: Wirtgen is showcasing two models from its new generation of large milling machines in Munich. The focus of these machines’ innovative design with MILL ASSIST includes: Simplifying the operator’s job Maximizing machine performance Optimizing operating costs …

Liebherr to showcase Condition Monitoring and System Solutions at Bauma 2019 The main focus of the Liebherr Components Division’s at this year’s Bauma, is on Condition Monitoring and system solutions. Along with the demo app, which allows to capture the current machine condition on the components level, Liebherr presents the drives of the future as …

JCB announces exciting partnership with new British Motor Racing Team JCB has announced an exciting partnership with a new British motor racing team as the company continues to expand its presence in global markets. The partnership with SportPesa Racing Point F1 team (formerly Force India) will see prominent JCB branding on the two cars driven by …

Network Rail to give new lease of life to disused Kent railway line Folkestone residents can begin looking forward to an exciting new future for the northern section of the disused Folkestone Harbour branch line as Network Rail today announced that it is to clear the line and begin discussions with local stakeholders on potential …

Chapter 8 Shop launches new and improved vehicle livery range Chapter 8 Shop, a manufacturer of vehicle chevrons, have launched a new and improved product range specifically designed to save the amount of time you spend applying livery to vehicles. The livery manufacturer is introducing two new chevron grades into their range – Entry Grade …

Volvo looks to an Electric Construction Future at bauma 2019 Visitors to this year’s bauma 2019 exhibition in Munich, Germany, will be given a glimpse into the technological future as Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) looks at Building Tomorrow, showcasing its latest machines and integrated services. Demonstrating the breadth of the Volvo Group, Volvo CE …

The second biggest hotel in Europe is in a quiet Somerset town. In Bridgwater, just a few miles from the M5, a brand new huddle of buildings has become a temporary home to nearly 1,000 people. Or, more specifically, nearly 1,000 men. The hotel was built by French energy giant EDF as a place to …

Skyjack paints the Stacks Pink with German Customer to support Lebenshilfe Munster Skyjack has partnered with German customer, KFR Mietlifte GmbH, to provide a donation to Lebenshilfe Munster, an association that provides space, support, and guidance for people and families with disabilities. In addition to a monetary donation shared, by both Skyjack and KFR Mietlifte GmbH, …

Fageraas Skogsdrift puts the new Hitachi Forestry Excavator to the test Norwegian company Fageraas Skogsdrift DA is among the first contractors to test the Hitachi ZX135USL-6 forestry excavator in its natural habitat. The special application machine has been designed and engineered specifically for the needs of the challenging conditions found in the European market. Hitachi’s …

European-wide study investigated the main causes of motorbike and bicycle accidents A FOUR YEAR investigation into hundreds of accidents across Europe has gathered in-depth crash data to determine the biggest factors involved in motorbike and bicycle accidents. Seven teams of researchers, from the UK, Netherlands, Italy, France, Poland and Greece, pored over collision reports, coroner’s …

Network Rail promoting rail resilience with plans for improved sea wall at Dawlish Network Rail has made a planning submission to Teignbridge District Council to improve the long-term resilience of the railway linking Devon and Cornwall to the rest of the UK. Plans, developed in partnership with world leading engineering contractors Arup, for a new, …

American Tulipwood Pavilion showcased at the London Design Festival A collaboration first presented in 2008 by the American Hardwood Export Council and Sir David Adjaye will be part of an exciting new exhibition at the Design Museum, London. Sclera, originally commissioned in American Tulipwood for the London Design Festival, will be one of seven projects …

PERI to showcase new developments for formwork and scaffolding at bauma At bauma, the industry’s leading international trade show from 8th to 14th April 2019 in Munich, PERI will be showcasing numerous new developments for formwork and scaffolding technology to customers and visitors alike. The focus is on innovations, practice-oriented system supplements as well as …

Collaboration and road layout innovation lead to UK national recognition Highways England, WJ Group, and Clearview Intelligence have been collectively shortlisted for the Improving Customers’ Journeys category at the annual Highways England Awards in March. It follows the successful completion of an £8.5 multi-disciplinary project along a 9.4 kilometre stretch of the A38 between Ripley …

New scheme could make developers help reverse wildlife damage and decline The Wildlife Trusts call for all new developments to contribute to a Nature Recovery Network The Government consultation into a new legal requirement which could make developers actively improve nature closed at the weekend. It is an attempt to help wildlife recover following the …

JCB’s new 1 tonne dumper becomes the industry’s safest At the Executive Hire Show, JCB launched a new 1-tonne site dumper which is set to become the safest machine in its class. Powered by a Tier 4 Final, EU stage V certified engine, the dumper was shown for the first time. The new 1T-2 model …

SENNEBOGEN builds the world’s largest material handler SENNEBOGEN will present the new 895 E, the largest material handler ever built, to the public at bauma 2019. The gigantic machine is impressive with its operational weight of around 390 t and reach of up to 40 m. SENNEBOGEN will present the largest material handler in the …

CEA exhibiting at the National Fluid Power (NFPC) Industry Open Day The CEA will be exhibiting at the National Fluid power Centre (NFPC) Industry Open Day event for the first time on Wednesday 20th February. This event takes place at the NFPC training centre in Worksop. The industry-lead exhibition has grown to become a key …

Heathrow unveils new locations for popular Business Summit series More businesses than ever before will work with Heathrow to explore new global markets and supply chain opportunities, as 11 locations are set to host Heathrow Business Summits, announced today. Speaking at Heathrow’s first National Growth Conference, Heathrow’s Chief Executive John Holland-Kaye announced locations across the …

NIC warns about the cost of congestion which INRIX estimates at £8 billion for 2018 New figures show that road congestion cost the UK economy £8billion last year – highlighting the need for local solutions to tackle the issue, as recommended in the UK’s first-ever National Infrastructure Assessment. The study by transport data firm Inrix …

Morris Site Machinery debuted their shining stars at the Executive Hire Show Innovative new products and a new Managing Director took the spotlight at the Morris Site Machinery stand at this year’s Executive Hire Show. The UK’s leading tower light manufacturer used the event to launch its next generation SMC TL90 Evolve lighting tower and …

Cutting edge PLPR tech helping Network Rail to almost double track maintenance capacity Network Rail is boosting its capacity to identify and fix track defects using cutting edge technology, reducing delays caused by track faults, improving safety and saving the taxpayer millions of pounds. A key part of Network Rail’s ‘predict and prevent’ strategy, Plain …

Eurovia Contracting South wins £1.6m CCTV Control Room relocation contract Eurovia Contracting South’s CCTV division has been awarded the contract for the relocation of a CCTV Control Room for Stevenage Borough Council on behalf of the Hertfordshire CCTV Partnership. The £1.6 million Control Room design and build scheme, which has been funded by the Hertfordshire …

Highways England to host webinar ahead of £20m revolutionise roads competitions Highways England is calling on the country’s most creative minds to join a webinar next Thursday (14 February 2019) to explain how they can submit their ideas to help revolutionise roads and driving. The company aims to build on the nation’s great history of …

Military into Logistics Logistics is an essential part of the military, with members being trained to a high standard of driving and maintenance, equipping soldiers with a trade for life. This is why logistics and transport companies can find great benefits from recruiting army leavers, not only as a way of managing the current driver …

Today’s Horizon – CEA Annual Conference programme announced The Construction Equipment Association (CEA) Annual Conference, sponsored by machinery manufacturer SMT, is taking place on 21st March 2019, hosted at the new home of Plantworx Construction Exhibition, at the East of England Arena in Peterborough. Moderating the conference is Chris Sleight, Managing Director, Off Highway Research. …

Transport Systems Catapult seeks innovators for major Highways England contract The Transport Systems Catapult is looking for innovative developers and organisations to support Highways England’s incident management and operational planning of the strategic road network, in a significant tender opportunity. The winner of the tender will develop a simulation and visualisation platform to support the operational …

Meet the husband and wife team keeping Britain’s motorways moving this winter When it comes to keeping motorways moving this winter, look no further than the Smith-Storer family. Karen Smith-Storer and her husband Neil work for Highways England as gritter drivers in Worcestershire. The pair – together for 12 years and married for three – …

Is Brexit making construction workers leave or are they leaving their options open? Results from a survey of over 10,500 construction workers carried out by world leading recruiter Randstad, has revealed that one in three EU nationals have considered leaving the UK because of the Brexit referendum. The truth is that it’s the potential drop …

MB Crusher plans big reveal for Bauma 2019 According to MB Crushers, if you want to know how to figure out the Italians, just speak about food – it works every time, even at MB Crusher attachments. Their construction equipment is like a well executed recipe – by mixing the prime ingredients well, what comes …

New research shows Construction Industry failing to attract young people Less than one in ten young people would consider a career in construction, even though more than half are interested in subjects that qualify them for the industry, new research by L&Q has revealed. L&Q, one of the UK’s largest housing associations and developers, surveyed …

SENNEBOGEN celebrates 60th year at bauma The World-trade fair bauma’s success story started in 1954 with just 58 exhibitors at Theresienwiese in Munich. Fast forward to today and the exhibition space and the number of exhibitors have increased 50-fold. SENNEBOGEN, as one of the first exhibitors, has been there without fail since 1959 and is …

E & JW Glendinning take delivery of the first Volvo rigid hauler sold in Britain E & JW Glendinning Ltd has taken delivery of the first Volvo rigid hauler to be sold in Great Britain which has been put in charge of hauling blasted material to the primary crusher at the company’s Linhay Hill Quarry, …

Cross department planning and collaboration is the way forward for UK local authorities Historically, individual departments within local authorities have tended to work in isolation. They have developed their own plans and strategies and then focused on executing them as efficiently as possible. But in doing this, they have typically worked alone. There are multiple …

STRABAG awarded share of €132m contract for D35 motorway in the Czech Republic A consortium including STRABAG a.s., a subsidiary of European construction group STRABAG, has been awarded the contract to build a new section of the D35 motorway in the Czech Republic. The object of the contract with a total value of CZK 3.38 billion …

Liebherr – Together. Now and Tomorrow at Bauma 2019 From 8-14 April, Liebherr will give attendees of Bauma 2019 a unique chance to experience its latest innovations first-hand, which range from construction machines, material handling, mining and components. Visitors can look forward to seeing many new technologies and other practical innovations at Liebherr’s 14,000 m2 …

The new BENNINGHOVEN product philosophy New BENNINGHOVEN asphalt mixing plants incorporate a great deal of what BENNINGHOVEN has learnt about asphalt production and mixing plants since the 1960s. During this time, the company has developed on a continuous basis and is now one of the global leaders in the field. Combined since summer 2018 with the …

Operam launch Online Learning to support adoption of new ISO 19650 Standards In December 2018, ISO published two international standards, the first to be published within the new ISO 19650 series, which defines the business processes for the effective management of asset-related information during the delivery and operational phase of built assets. Based upon the …

Telensa announces the Urban Data Project with Cambridge as Launch Partner City Telensa, a leader in smart street lighting and smart city applications has announced the Urban Data Project. Telensa has built a solution powered by the Microsoft Azure cloud platform that creates a trust infrastructure for urban data, one that enables cities to collect, …

VINCI UK Foundation calls for applications from charities to fight social exclusion VINCI businesses across the UK and the Republic of Ireland are once again calling for funding applications from projects that help people suffering from social exclusion by improving their access to employment, mobility and housing. The application process is open until the 31st …

The Christmas Tree approach inspires Land Services to opt for a Volvo ECR145E Excavator “It was the build quality that impressed me….” says Malcolm Davidson, proprietor of Selkirk-based Davidson Land Services as he takes delivery of his first ‘large’ Volvo excavator in the guise of a reduced swing ECR145E. Having previously owned and operated Volvo …

L&Q to scale up off-site ambitions with new construction strategy One of the UK’s largest housing associations and developers is scaling up its off-site ambitions and has developed its own Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) strategy. Today, L&Q announced plans to deliver all of its new build homes using some form of MMC by 2025. …

VÖGELE pioneering machine technology and digital process solutions at bauma 2019 The world market leader for road pavers has restructured its product range and is also poised to stage several premieres: the SUPER 3000-3(i), the biggest paver in the company’s product range, the SUPER 1000(i) and 1003(i) compact pavers, the SB 300 and SB 350 …

Fast growing Bristol business on the lookout for more apprentices The ETM Group / ETM Recycling, a Bristol highways maintenance and recycling company, is on the lookout for more apprentices as it looks to continue its rapid rise in the South West, which will include a new £4million recycling plant opening in April. Since Britain …

Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe will focus on the Hyundai Effect at Bauma Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe (HCEE) will present at bauma 2019 15 construction equipment products on the company’s 2,705 m² stand located in the open-air area FM.812A. With six brand new machines HCEE is further expanding its product range while at the same time …

Liebherr to reveal revamped 42m Powerbloc concrete pump at bauma Liebherr will introduce a completely redeveloped 42 M5 XXT truck mounted concrete pump for the medium range class at Bauma 2019. One highlight is the unique Liebherr Powerbloc drive unit: Through the complete integration of all hydraulic switching and measuring elements, the 42 M5 XXT …

CASE celebrates innovation at Bauma with world-first steering system for graders This year, CASE will debut several world-first launches at Bauma as part of its innovation theme with an industry first. CASE will unveil patented combined steering functionality in its grader range. CASE has combined the industry-standard controls for the front wheel and frame articulation …

Bartco UK to introduce friendly and energy efficient ITS billboard at Traffex Traffic managers of major long-term schemes are now able to sustainably offer road users an improved customer experience, thanks to a new energy-efficient portable video wall developed by intelligent transport system (ITS) solution manufacturer, Bartco UK. Displaying high resolution static images – such …

Wirtgen W 380 CRi high performance and high-tech Cold Recycler set for Bauma launch Due to the rapid increase in heavy-duty transport, the global road network is showing visible signs of aging in many places. In order to ensure that the road infrastructure remains functional over the long term, roads are increasingly requiring structural rehabilitation. …

Scope sees slower growth, rising costs and challenges for construction in Europe Europe’s construction sector faces modest revenue growth and mostly stable profit margins in 2019, but the credit outlook is in danger of deteriorating as the business cycle turns, particularly for smaller companies with less international reach. Scope Ratings says slowing economic growth and persistent …

Gothenburg drive to electrify takes to the water with Volvo Penta In the next phase of Gothenburg’s drive to connect its residents with a seamless citywide low emission commuting network, a Volvo Penta powered electric ferry service is being introduced into the ElectriCity transport ecosystem. Building on the growing success of Gothenburg’s ElectriCity project, an …

Caterpillar to “Rewrite the Rules” of the jobsite at Bauma 2019 Caterpillar and its German dealer, Zeppelin Baumaschinen GmbH, will exhibit a wide range of equipment, technology, and services at bauma Munich, April 8-14, 2019. “Rewrite the Rules” is the Caterpillar theme, and displays will emphasize the renewed efficiencies and profitability that equipment users gain …

Evidence of 2,000 year old beer making found on mammoth A14 road scheme in England Deep below the surface of Britain’s biggest road scheme something has been brewing for a very long time – more than 2,000 years in fact. Experts working on Highways England’s £1.5bn upgrade of the A14 in Cambridgeshire have uncovered what …

Liebherr to feature prototype Compact Litronic Wheeled Excavator at bauma Liebherr will showcase the prototype of the new A 913 Compact Litronic wheeled excavator for the first time at bauma 2019. This compact wheeled excavator, which complies with Stage V emission standards, is an all-rounder for classic earthmoving work on construction sites where space is …

CASE Rodeo and 360 degree solutions to be featured at Bauma 2019 CASE will showcase a special CASE Rodeo event at bauma 2019 in Munich, and will display their full offering of 360-degree solutions as well as exhibits of their machines designed to reflect the customer-centric, applications-based ethos of the CASE brand. Heritage and innovation …

ADEPT SMART Places winners announced with 7 projects going forward to Live Labs The winners of the Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport’s ( ADEPT ) SMART Places Live Labs competition were announced by Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling today. The winning bids, who will each receive a share of £22.9million funding, are: …

UK Housebuilding boosts construction as infrastructure projects fail to materialise Surging mortar sales suggest that housebuilding in Great Britain remained buoyant in 2018, with the latest data from the Mineral Products Association recording volumes at their highest level since records began in 2004. Year-on-year mortar volumes increased by 14.3 per cent, despite tailing off in …

When does new technology become part of the mainstream? Early adopters take the risks of new ideas but see that as a necessary way of keeping ahead of competitors or the marketplace, and they know that where they lead others will soon follow. They also understand that by being ahead of the industry there may …

Heathrow launches shared Apprenticeship Scheme to create a strong skills base Commitments welcomed by the Chair of the Heathrow Skills Taskforce Lord Blunkett, Baroness Sugg, trade union representatives and local students at launch event Heathrow has launched Britain’s first airport-owned shared Apprenticeship Scheme in construction that will help build a stronger base of UK skills …

Buckinghamshire’s online workshop provides winter driving refresher A new online workshop has been launched in Buckinghamshire to help all drivers prepare for driving in winter conditions. The free course covers the challenges to road conditions, driver, and car that winter weather can cause, and was developed by road safety officers at Transport for Buckinghamshire (TfB), …

Liebherr to unveil four new Mobile Cranes at Bauma Liebherr will unveil four new products from its Mobile Cranes Product Division at the Bauma event. These new cranes feature high performance, economy and flexibility thanks to the consistent advanced development of successful technologies. Two of the new cranes have already been presented at the 2018 …

New phase of major Sunderland housing development at Potters Hill begins Work around a major new housing development in Sunderland has taken a step forward. A North East contractor, Esh Construction, has been appointed to deliver infrastructure works ahead of further development at Potters Hill – a village of sustainable family homes in the south …

New technology and service enhancements are key for Hyundai at Bauma 2019 Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe (HCEE) is committed to staying on top of the latest technology trends and will be bringing a lot of new technology and services enhancements to Bauma 2019 for their customers to discover. Key topics like fuel efficiency, productivity, safety, …

Network Rail announces preferred bidders for next generation of rail system contracts Network Rail have announced preferred bidders to deliver the next decade of rail system – anything needed to make the rail system work including track, points, overhead lines and signalling – contracts in Scotland and the South of England. Following an extensive tender …

CASE features new compact wheel loaders with electrohydraulic controls at bauma As part of its theme of innovation at Bauma 2019, CASE launches electrohydraulic controls on its compact wheel loader F-series. Electrohydraulic controls for compact wheel loaders At Bauma 2019, CASE will showcase its new compact wheel loader models with electrohydraulic controls. With more than …

Doka to showcase innovative and digital solutions at bauma 2019 From 8 to 14 April 2019, bauma, the world’s largest construction machinery equipment trade fair will once again be opening its doors. Under the heading “Our contribution to increase productivity on the construction site”, the Doka Campus will be presenting the most recent products, services …

Hyundai Construction Equipment launches the mighty HX900 L Crawler Excavator Hyundai Construction Equipment has recently added a new heavy-line excavator to the HX line-up of machines  – the long anticipated HX900 L. This 90-tonne machine replaces the R800LC-9 model is designed for the demands of the European construction and quarry industries, it has been developed …

Metso increases service availability for M&J Waste Recycling Equipment in the UK Metso has signed a service partner agreement for M&J waste recycling equipment with Core Industrial Solutions in the United Kingdom. Core Industrial Solutions is recognised as a highly competent service provider and has more than 16 years’ experience in the waste recycling industry. …

Grand opening for TMP Solutions’ new manufacturing site in Wednesbury On Thursday 24th January 2019 TMP Solutions who manufacture traffic management products celebrated the grand opening of their new factory site in Wednesbury, half way between Birmingham and Wolverhampton in the UK. Thirty valued industry representatives enjoyed a tour of the new facility, as well …

Collins Earthworks rewards their top machine operator with a VolvoCE EWR170E Excavator Collins Earthworks Ltd of Kirby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, has taken delivery of a Volvo EWR170E reduced-swing wheeled excavator for one of its top machine operators – Liam Schofield. “Good machine operators and in particular, excavator operators are hard to find in this day and age …

Schiphol Airport and Dutch construction companies enter into strategic collaboration Schiphol has signed long-term contracts with BAM, Heijmans and VolkerWessels. The construction companies can carry out works at Schiphol for a maximum period of nine years with a total estimated value of €2.5 to €3.5 billion over this period. The majority of the works are …

CASE Construction Equipment to showcase their heritage and innovation at Bauma Reflecting CASE’s approach to providing solutions for customers’ specific requirements, visitors will experience an application-based layout of the CASE Construction Equipment stand at Bauma 2019. Quarrying, recycling, urban construction and road-building will each have a dedicated area, with CASE showcasing a total of 15 …

Highways England helps communities benefit from schemes to ease traffic delays Highways England is investing more than £7 million in a series of schemes that will improve journeys, generate jobs and help unlock plans to build homes. This funding boost comes from Highways England’s Growth and Housing Fund budget and includes: Nearly £4 million for …

The UK Pavilion at Bauma flies the Flag for Great Britain The CEA (Construction Equipment Association) is once again hosting a UK Pavilion at the forthcoming Bauma Munich construction machinery, vehicles and equipment exhibition, which is taking place in Munich Germany 8 – 14 April this year. The dedicated UK Pavilion (Hall B5) will feature …

Hitachi excavator digs in at Porto Airport project in Portugal A new Hitachi ZX300LCN-6 medium excavator has been selected by Construções Gabriel A.S. Couto S.A. (Gabriel Couto) to help it construct a new taxiway and other access points at Porto Airport in the north of Portugal. The machine, delivered by authorised local Hitachi dealer Moviter, …

Drop in British pothole numbers welcomed but not celebrated News that the number of potholes on local roads in the UK has significantly fallen is welcomed but should not be celebrated said the RSTA (Road Surface Treatments Association). New data obtained by the RSTA under that Freedom of Information Act by Insurance Emporium has found …

John Deere adds European distribution for 622GP and 672GP Motor Graders John Deere is introducing two popular G-Series Motor Graders to the European market via the Wirtgen Group distribution network in Germany and France. The 622GP and 672GP will be available in these two countries beginning in early 2019. “We are excited to leverage our …

Drone technology is reaching new heights The number of companies using drone technology has increased significantly, although more advanced digital/reality capture outputs continue to be underutilised. The use of digital/reality capture information from drone technology continues to increase in the UK and Irish construction industries, with 52% of respondents now using the technology compared with …

Liebherr to promote “Together Now and Tomorrow” at Bauma 2019 From 8 to the 14 April, Liebherr will give attendees of Bauma 2019 a unique chance to experience its latest innovations first-hand, which range from construction machines, material handling, mining and components. Visitors can look forward to seeing many new technologies and other practical innovations …

New Mobile App gives Surveyors a Speedy Experience Speedy Hire, the UK’s leading provider of tools and equipment hire and services, has launched a new mobile app for customers as an extension of its digital strategy. The app makes it easier for surveyors to do business with Speedy by enabling them to complete a full …

Volvo comfort and performance win over A M Dagg Plant Hire again East Lothian based A M Dagg (Plant Hire) Ltd has opted for another Volvo excavator – this time a fourteen-tonne EC140E, thanks in part to the good service and reliability of an older EC140B it replaces after 17,000 trouble-free hours. “We’ve had a …

BAM acquires stake in Irish modular homes specialist MHI Royal BAM Group’s Irish operating company has acquired a non-controlling share in leading modular homes provider Modern Homes Ireland (MHI). MHI constructs quality assured steel-framed homes and commercial buildings within a precision-controlled environment with units being up-to 95 per cent constructed before leaving the factory. Financial …

Highways England awards North West million pound Construction Works Framework Highways England has teamed up with 26 companies to help improve journeys for road users in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire and South Lancashire. A framework, worth up to £205 million, was awarded on 23 January and will start on 1 April 2019. The Construction Works …

Is it time to move partnership a stage further this year? “Re-thinking” the industry is a common topic of debate in construction at the minute, with “innovation” and “collaboration” being popular buzzwords. Following the Hackitt Review, there is an increasing call to overhaul the way the construction industry works and introduce a “clear model of …

Siemens Mobility receives Home Office Type-Approval for SafeZone II Siemens Mobility Limited has received Home Office Type-Approval for its SafeZone II average speed enforcement system, which incorporates the company’s market-leading Sicore II camera. Approval means that evidence from the system is now fully admissible in court for offences under the Road Traffic Offenders Act, 1988. …

Grundon opts for new Volvo Material Handler Grundon Waste Management Ltd has taken delivery of a new Volvo EW240E materials handler for its Colnbrook operation following a successful demonstration and evaluation. Replacing a competitive model, the new Volvo EW240E MHE takes up residence at the company’s Waste Transfer and Material Recovery Facility at Colnbrook handling …

EIB funds 2 new €155m cruise ferries for Irish Continental Group The European Investment Bank is providing €155 million to finance two new passenger and vehicle ships for the ICG subsidiary Irish Ferries. The two ferries will increase passenger and cargo capacity on routes to Ireland, replace older and smaller vessels and significantly reduce emissions from …

When is a pothole not a pothole and if it is a pothole? A new analysis of the different times taken by councils to repair potholes has underlined the need for a national pothole definition. The analysis raises the question of when is a pothole not a pothole and if it is a pothole when …

Plantworx 2019 to take a trip down memory lane with Classic Plant display Plantworx Construction Machinery Exhibition (11-13 June 2019 at the East of England Arena, Peterborough) will be digging up the past and paying tribute to classic plant and machinery in a dedicated arena at the show. Innovation is built on experience – so …

Students in Architecture, Building and Planning have Fallen 19% in the last decade According to the report Patterns and Trends in UK Higher Education (Universities UK), in 2016-17 there were 1,012,425 entrants to higher education institutions in the UK; 56,400 fewer than in 2007-08. This total does however fluctuate over the period across different types …

Mabey propped up damaged bridge in rapid time to reopen road in Llangefni Last October leading bridge and engineering services specialist Mabey worked with Alun Griffiths to provide a bespoke propping solution to support a bridge which was severely damaged following a lorry becoming wedged underneath it. The solution held up the bridge while the …

SACYR Engineering and Infrastructure wins €65m Madrid building projects Sacyr Ingeniería e Infraestructuras has won several building projects in Madrid totalling €65 million, including the construction of three residential developments with 380 homes and the complete remodelling of the Manoteras 12 building in Madrid. For Onix Capital Partners, SACYR will carry out the complete rehabilitation and …

London welcomes the world’s most sophisticated air quality monitoring network The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has launched the world’s most advanced and comprehensive network of air quality monitors to help investigate and improve London’s toxic air. ‘Breathe London’ will use a range of cutting-edge fixed and mobile sensors to build up a real-time, hyperlocal …

Traffic Management division growing at rapid rate at ETM group The Traffic Management division of a Bristol highways maintenance and recycling company has seen big growth since its inception just over two years ago. The ETM group, which includes highway maintenance and ETM Recycling, has had a hugely successful 2018 and its traffic management side of …

Merseyside motorway junction upgrade completed six weeks early A £5 million project to improve journeys and safety at a major motorway junction in Merseyside has been completed six weeks ahead of schedule. More than 90,000 drivers travel through Switch Island every day, where the M57, M58 and three A roads all meet, making it one …

Major acquisition boosts Go Plant Fleet Services’ nationwide fleet One of the UK’s leading providers of specialist commercial vehicles has completed a major deal to extend its growing nationwide operation. Go Plant Fleet Services has acquired 266 vehicles formerly owned by Gulliver’s Truck Hire in a deal worth more than £13 million. The agreement features …

EJ Civils takes on Hyundai for value, efficiency and high specs E J Civils is a groundworks company based in Lincolnshire – the company’s main source of business is groundworks for major housebuilding company Taylor Wimpey, alongside other leading developers, located in the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire areas. Employing 48 staff – EJ Civils is never …

TRAFFEX 2019: Technology Driving Change In early April, more than 10,000 of the world’s leading authorities on highways and transport will converge at the NEC for Traffex 2019 and Parkex 2019 where 350 exhibitors will showcase some of the latest products, concepts and services. The centre of the all-new show features an interactive journey, taking …

Doosan Excavator learns to swim in Germany To allow the company, Sven Jacobs Tief-, Garten- und Landschaftsbau, based in Tating (Schleswig-Holstein) in Germany, to carry out a series of projects in the Wadden Sea, including work on the Hindenburgdamm, a dedicated 22 tonne Doosan DX225LC-5 crawler excavator has had to learn how to swim. This …

New Holland shows off updated telehandlers and new implement range at FTMTA 2019 New Holland Agriculture will showcase updates to its telehandler range, and present its new range of implements at FTMTA on 7 – 9 February 2019, which many farmers will see for the first time. Its latest tractors and forage harvester will also …

Boris Johnson MP chooses the JCB factory for his keynote speech Boris Johnson MP, former Mayor of London and former Foreign Secretary visited JCB’s World HQ on Friday to deliver a keynote speech. He spent three hours at Rocester, Staffordshire touring the Story of JCB exhibition as well as the backhoe loader production line, where …

Extra lanes open on M6 in Cheshire as major upgrade nears completion Drivers heading towards Manchester on the M6 through Cheshire can use an extra lane from today – increasing capacity on one of England’s busiest stretches of motorway by a third. Highways England has opened a fourth lane on the northbound carriageway between Holmes …

Survey proves overwhelming success of scheme using Clearview SolarLite Active Road Studs Drivers have called for a road improvement scheme to be replicated across all UK highways, with 91% citing improved visibility and 77% feeling more confident driving at night. Last year, Highways England worked in a collaborative partnership with WJ Group and Clearview Intelligence to …

First ERI grant funds 30km motorway between Peja and Kijeveto in Kosovo The European Investment Bank (EIB) supports the preparation and the implementation of the project for the construction of a new 30 km single carriageway motorway between Peja and Kijeve in Kosovo with a €1 million technical assistance grant under the Bank’s Economic Resilience …

Network Rail uses Amateur Boxing to spread railway safety message Network Rail has teamed up with a school in Hertfordshire to teach pupils about railway safety. The partnership at the John Warner school in Hoddesdon will combine sport, recreation and fitness with information about the importance of staying safe and never taking chances around the …

Experts warn business to prepare for customs declaration complications post-Brexit EU and British businesses of all sizes that import and export between the EU and the UK are urged to put plans in place for their customs declarations forms ahead of an anticipated 200 million rise in the documents after Brexit, according to experts at …

MB Crushers don’t retire and collaborate with newer models In a world oriented to the development of new models – that make the existing model obsolete -, there is an exception that brings together reliability, innovation and cost. “When our Sales Reps tell me about our machines in action for the last decade and still …

A-Plant Lux support helped London celebrate the New Year A-Plant Lux, the UK’s largest hirer of portable traffic signals, helped to ensure The Mayor of London’s New Year celebrations went off with a bang. Tasked with organising pedestrian management for the City’s annual firework event, A-Plant’s dedicated traffic and highways division deployed 29 variable message signs …

Grit Expectations as Councils and Road Authorities get set for ice and snow With icy weather set to hit the UK later this week and into next week, and temperatures forecast to be well below zero, Transport Network – publishers of Highways and Smart Highways magazines and a leading highways and transport event company – …

Ringway secures Bracknell Forest highway term services contract extension Ringway has been awarded a fourth years’ contract extension by Bracknell Forest Council to provide highway term services across the authority’s region. Bracknell Forest Council confirmed, following its 2018 Annual General Meeting, that Ringway had again met the required criteria to earn another years’ contract extension …

Wirtgen slipform pavers and TCM 180i texture curing machine perform on the A7 When placing dual-layer concrete on the A7, the Wirtgen paving train, comprising two SP 1500 slipform pavers and the TCM 180i texture curing machine are the key players. The A7 is being widened between Hamburg and Bordesholm from four lanes to six, …

World leading JCB Cabs Factory forges ahead Construction work on the new £50 million JCB Cab Systems factory is forging ahead as it targets a summer opening. The shell of the 350,000 sq ft plant next to JCB Heavy Products and the World Parts Centre at Uttoxeter is on course to be completed slightly ahead …

Scotland’s Agritrac Exports joins the Hyundai construction equipment dealer network Hyundai has announced that Agritrac Exports has been appointed as the new Hyundai Construction Equipment dealer for Scotland as of January 2019. Hyundai’s Regional Sales Manager for UK and Ireland, Tony Reeves, commenting on the appointment said, “As part of HRN Tractors, Agritrac offers a …

A commitment to fix the system – the government’s response to the Grenfell Tower Report Following on from the tragedy of the Grenfell Tower fire on 14 June 2017, where the fire breached compartmentation of the block resulting in the loss of 72 lives and many more being made homeless, the government commissioned an independent …

Success for the Small Robot Company with £1.2 million Crowdcube campaign Small Robot Company, a British agritech start-up for sustainable farming, today announced that it has raised £1.2 million on Crowdcube equity crowdfunding platform. It reached its initial funding target of £500,000 within minutes of its launch thanks largely to support from the farming community. …

Finnish companies to collaborate to design a sustainable urban area in Nepal Finnish companies will collaborate to design a new urban area for more than half a million inhabitants of Kathmandu Valley in Nepal, in accordance with the principles of sustainable development. Rapid population growth and environmental problems require that new solutions are developed for …

Hitachi’s support chain makes all the difference for Finland’s Maanrakennus Lassi Kaiponen A Finnish contractor relies on the consistency and quality of the Hitachi Support Chain after-sales programme for its fleet of Zaxis excavators. Maanrakennus Lassi Kaiponen Oy uses the technical support, parts, remote monitoring and extended warranty provided by the local Hitachi dealer, Rotator, …

Clearaway expands with SENNEBOGEN 821 E in waste recycling In Essex, England, recycling company Clearaway Ltd. has recently been working very successfully with a new SENNEBOGEN material handler 821 E series. The machine is being used to presort materials and feed the shredding machine, as is typical for small recycling sites in England. Clearaway Ltd. …

Snow and ice treatment trains all set to keep Network Rail on track this winter Network Rail’s fleet of snow and ice treatment trains are ready to keep passengers moving this winter and minimise disruption. Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) also has robust plans in place, including running ghost trains overnight to help keep tracks clear, …

Manchester city centre bridges to be restored to Victorian splendour A project to refurbish three historic railway bridges over streets in Manchester city centre will begin this week. The three Grade II listed bridge structures over Great Ducie Street and Victoria Street, to the west of Manchester Victoria station, are being repaired, deep cleaned and …

Network Rail awards billion-£ contracts on some of Britain’s busiest routes Network Rail has announced the award of three multi-billion-pound contracts for the South of England, worth up to £7bn for Control Period 6 (2019-2024). The framework to deliver renewals and enhancements in Anglia, South East and Wessex has been awarded to J Murphy & …

Highways England reopens A404 near Marlow following bridge installation The A404 in Buckinghamshire has reopened by Highways England in both directions between the Bisham and Westhorpe interchanges near Marlow following a bridge installation project. The closure, part of a scheme to refurbish the Volvo footbridge over the A404, was needed to allow the re-installation of …

Boschung fixed automated ice spray technology upgraded on the A4 in France In 2002, the first BOSCHUNG fixed automated spray technology (FAST) system was installed on some sections of the A4 in France which were endangered by black ice. After more than 15 years of uninterrupted service, it was now time to replace this system …

Salt might be bad for your health, but it keeps you safe in winter Salt is more than something to sprinkle on to your fish and chips, this common household ingredient helps Highways England keep your roads moving. As temperatures are forecast to remain cold across the country Highways England’s army of workers are ready …

Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) completes €3.9bn project financing The Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP) is announcing financial close today, with €3.9 billion secured from public and private lenders. The EBRD is part of this consortium with a €1 billion loan syndicated to a group of 16 commercial banks with €500 million being provided on the Bank’s …

UK M6 Toll marks 15 year milestone with 15 interesting facts Since opening in December 2003, the M6toll has been a driving force in alleviating congestion and pollution in the Midlands, taking thousands of trucks, vans and cars off the M6 and local roads every day. Drivers and commercial fleet operators rely on the M6 …

EIB approves €3.8 billion in financing for transport, energy, business and water supply During the COP24 global climate conference in Katowice, the Board of the European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved investment worth hundreds of millions of Euros for projects to fight climate change and help countries to deal with its consequences. Among these projects …

London’s busiest toilets closed for £4m revamp The capital’s busiest toilets closed on Christmas Eve and will be open again in April 2019 as Network Rail undertakes a major redesign and refurbishment of the facilities at London Victoria station. The new, revamped toilets will be furnished with high-quality materials and state-of-the-art plumbing systems to help …

Nottinghamshire residents among 40,000 benefitting from quieter roads People living near the busy A1 in Nottinghamshire are among 40,000 roadside residents getting used to a quieter life thanks to a major noise reduction initiative delivering quieter roads. Highways England has pledged to reduce noise levels for people living in over 1,000 areas close to motorways and …

Positive feedback prompts Wordingham Plant Hire to opt for Volvo compact excavators Wordingham Plant Hire Ltd of Binham, near Fakenham, Norfolk, has opted for a package of Volvo compact excavators for the first time, thanks to a longstanding relationship with Volvo dealers, Contractors Equipment Sales Ltd of Norwich. The machines chosen by the company include …

Liebherr to present “Together. Now and Tomorrow.” at Bauma 2019 From 8-14 April, Liebherr will give attendees of Bauma 2019 a unique chance to experience its latest innovations first-hand, which range from construction machines, material handling, mining and components. Visitors can look forward to seeing many new technologies and other practical innovations at Liebherr’s 14,000 …

UK workers are risking GDPR penalties by forwarding work emails to personal accounts A survey of 1,002 UK workers in full or part-time employment, carried out by technology services provider Probrand.co.uk, has revealed that an incredible 64% of people admitted to having forwarded a customer email to their personal email account in the four months …

STRABAG receives contract for modernisation of D1 motorway in Czechia A consortium including STRABAG a.s., a subsidiary of European construction group STRABAG, has been awarded the contract for the modernisation of the D1 motorway in the Czech Republic. The contract, which has a total value of CZK 1.88 billion (~ € 72.7 million), comprises the …

BAM planting 150,000 trees to celebrate their 150th anniversary In 2019 Royal BAM Group nv turns 150. To underline the Group’s commitment to sustainability, the European construction company will plant 150,000 trees throughout 2019. More information about the history of BAM and the various jubilee activities can be found on their website here. Carpentry shop …

City dwellers are demanding smart traffic measures to cut commute times The UK is among the most congested countries in the world, with a reported 37.5 million vehicles registered for use on UK roads last year – and now a new report, by ATG Access reveals that almost two-thirds (65%) of city-dwellers are frustrated with …

The first Tivoli Cinema designed by Run For The Hills opens in Bath London-based consultancy Run For The Hills is delighted to finally unveil its design for Tivoli Cinema, a new breed of boutique cinema which opened for the first time in Bath this week. The studio has created not only the brand’s visual identity …

Hitachi Excavator and GET the ideal combination for SC Agremin Transcom in Romania A Romanian construction firm has equipped its new ZX250LC-6 medium excavator with a Hitachi bucket and Genuine GET (ground engaging tools) to help improve productivity on a demanding project in the south of the country. The machine was delivered to SC Agremin …

Venice Airport receives €150 million from EIB to finance expansion With a €150 million loan, the European Investment Bank (EIB) supports the development of the Venice Airport, the third busiest international gateway in Italy by number of passengers. EIB Vice-President, Dario Scannapieco and the President and CEO of Venice Airport’s operator SAVE, Enrico Marchi, signed …

Ringway Wiltshire replaces lighting on Grade I listed Bradford on Avon town bridge Ringway Wiltshire has restored the streetlighting on a historic Grade I listed bridge to its former glory after successfully completing a major scheme which has been hailed a huge success by a local preservation society. The antique streetlights on Town Bridge in …

Galliford Try digs in to get new roundabout over the M49 in Bristol built ASAP Work for a new junction on the M49 at Avonmouth near Bristol being carried out by Galliford Try for Highways England is progressing well. The project will improve road access and provide a much-needed connection into the Avonmouth and Severnside …

Heathrow expansion gathers pace as next phase of public consultation takes off Today Heathrow launches its Airspace and Future Operations consultation and is asking local communities to help shape the airport’s plans for its future airspace – both for the existing two runways and as part of the proposed expansion. This is the latest milestone …

Network Rail delivers 330 projects worth over £148m on time Passengers returning to work are benefiting from more reliable infrastructure, improved facilities and services after a £148m Network Rail Christmas programme of investment across the network successfully completed on-time. Across the country passengers will begin to experience the benefits of this investment. Signalling upgrades in …

The first 16 Volvo EC18Es in Great Britain heading for Nixon Hire Tyneside based Nixon Hire has taken delivery of the very first E-series variant of the highly popular Volvo 1.8 tonne compact excavator with an initial batch of sixteen units. The new E-Series Volvo compact excavators offer significant improvements over the ever popular D‑Series models …

140 year old Drewitt Construction expands into construction services in West Midlands Drewitt Construction, a family-run business with over 140 years of history has branched out to offer construction services in the West Midlands. Headed up by Alex Drewitt, the sixth generation of the Drewitt family, who founded the Drewitt Group in 1877, which has …

Talent in Logistics Awards are now open Entries are open for the Talent in Logistics Awards 2019. Talent in Logistics supports and celebrates the 2.2million+ logistics, transport and warehousing employees that keep the logistics sector running. The awards, which are free to enter, will see a number of new additions to this year’s categories, not …

IFC invests in Belgrade Airport to boost development of Serbia’s infrastructure IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is providing a €182 million financing package to the new private concessionaire of Belgrade Airport Nikola Tesla, VINCI Airports Serbia, a subsidiary of VINCI Airports SAS. The concessionaire will develop and upgrade Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla Airport, …

German approval of the Fehmarnbelt tunnel ready to be signed The Ministry of Transport of Schleswig-Holstein announced today that the plan approval of the Fehmarnbelt tunnel is ready to be signed. In accordance with German regulations, Femern A/S now has 14 days to review the approval before it is signed. During this process, only minor …

Five week upgrade starts for Manchester M56 motorway link The M56, one of Manchester’s key motorway link roads is in line for a new year upgrade to make journeys smoother and safer for the 90,000 drivers who use it every day. Highways England is improving a two-mile stretch of the M56, known as the Sharston …

Government traffic statistics underline need for greater UK road maintenance investment New government statistics underline the pressures that the poorly maintained local road network is facing and the need for greater investment in maintenance to ensure that the network can cope. The latest Transport Statistics Great Britain 2018 from the Department for Transport reports that …

First Cohort complete Institute of Quarrying Level 3 SHE Certificate Six employees at Salop Sand & Gravel Supply Co. Ltd are celebrating becoming the first cohort of delegates to complete the Level 3 SHE certificate run by the Institute of Quarrying (IQ). Sam Howells, Russell Collier, Nigel Baugh, Matthew Mclean, Glen Parke and Andrew Hart …

Clearview ends 2018 on a high way A road safety initiative implemented by Clearview Intelligence along a major trunk road in Scotland has contributed to an international road safety award. Scotland TranServ was named the winner of the Innovative Road Safety Solutions category at the annual Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards for a series …

DriveTribe confirmed as lead sponsor at 2019 London Motor and Tech Show DriveTribe, the automotive social media platform founded by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May have been confirmed as lead sponsor for the London Motor & Tech Show, from 16th to 20th May 2019 at the London Excel. The event, now in its …

Holmes Plant and Construction invests in seven new easy to use Volvo compact excavators Is the verdict of Holmes Plant and Construction Ltd as a further seven Volvo compact excavators are delivered form SMT GB’s utility dealer, Contractors Equipment Sales Ltd. A further four, zero swing 2.5-tonne ECR25Ds and three larger 5-tonne reduced swing ECR50Ds …

Liebherr concrete mixing plant operating at high altitude on the Eiger Glacier in Switzerland A Liebherr Compactmix 1.0 is supplying the construction site for the “V-cableway” (or “V-Bahn”) project in the Swiss mountains with concrete. The project was a challenge both in terms of logistics and on-site operation. The Grindelwald-Männlichen Gondola Cableway company and Jungfraubahn …

Ridgway reaches up to new heights Shropshire based Ridgway Rentals have added Komatsu PC210LCD-11 crawler excavators with elevating cabs to their fleet. The conversion of these standard PC210LCD-11’s into high rise cabs was carried out in partnership with Kocurek to fulfil the need of a wood recycling customer to load wood waste into shredding machines. …

Cubis Systems chooses Rapid International to future-proof Concrete output and quality Cubis Systems, an operating division of one of Europe’s leading building materials companies, is the global leader in the manufacture of access chamber and ducting systems, used in the construction of infrastructure networks. Headquartered in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, the company has seven manufacturing sites …

Bunce wins their first Council Tender in Nottingham for electric road sweepers Bunce, the exclusive supplier of Boschung products in the United Kingdom, wins its very first Council tender in the United Kingdom for electric road sweepers. Bunce championed the Boschung full electric ‘Urban-Sweeper S2.0’ against all other major competitors after two days of demonstrations …

Howley Park Quarry opts for the flexibility of a Volvo Construction package The addition of another Volvo L180H loading shovel, a fifty-tonne EC480E excavator and an A45G articulated hauler coincides with the commissioning of a brand new crushing plant at the Howley Park facility. “Up until now we’ve engaged contractors to carry out the primary …

Highways England previews new Lower Thames Crossing route With a major consultation into a new Lower Thames Crossing entering its final week, Highways England is offering a preview of the route and an insight into the unique history of the Kent and Essex Thames Estuary area. A new Lower Thames Crossing will be Britain’s biggest …

Berlin €80 million residential construction contract won by ZÜBLIN The STRABAG subsidiary Ed. Züblin AG has received the turnkey construction contract for a residential complex in Berlin-Schöneberg. The client of the Stadtquartier Südkreuz project at Tempelhofer Weg in the Schöneberger Linse urban development area is Rondus Erste Immobilienbesitz GmbH & Co. KG, represented by Hines …

EU enhances support for transport connectivity in Ukraine through EIB agreements At the EU-Ukraine Association Council meeting held today in Brussels, the European Investment Bank (EIB) agreed with the Ukrainian Government on a series of new financing operations. The EU bank will lend €50m to finance transport connectivity and infrastructure improvements throughout the country. Ukraine …

The Executive Hire Show all set to be the UK rental event of 2019 With 190 exhibitors, including 36 companies making their Show debut, there is no better opportunity than the 2019 Executive Hire Show, for hirers to find the equipment they need as they prepare for a very busy year ahead. There looks set …

Taylor Lindsey invests in performance with their first Hyundai Excavator Taylor Lindsey is an award-winning property development and construction company based in the historic City of Lincoln. Established in 1945, the company has some of the best located and most prominent development sites in the area. The business has designed and built commercial properties for …

Investment Plan for Europe supports expansion of Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport Continued expansion and upgrades of Hungary`s main international airport are at the core of the €200 million loan agreement signed today between the European Investment Bank and Budapest Airport, the company operating Liszt Ferenc International Airport. The EIB loan, backed by the European …

Flannery Plant Hire choose GKD Technologies Rated Capacity indicator system Flannery Plant Hire is the largest provider of operated plant and heavy equipment in the UK, with a turnover of £82 million and five bases nationwide. The driving ambition of the company is to be forward thinking and embrace innovation, making Flannery Plant Hire a …

EBRD partners with EU for Macedonian Railway Corridor VIII The modernisation of FYR Macedonia’s railway infrastructure is progressing, with the signing in Skopje today of a grant agreement for a further €68.6 million of co-financing from the European Union through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF). This grant will be used to co-finance the construction …

McCann invests in future success with the next wave of industry experts Investment in the next generation of civil and electrical engineering specialists is vital for Nottingham-based McCann in order for the company to remain at the forefront of the industry. The business has recently placed significant investment in two of its youngest employees, after …

Heathrow Cargo stockings full to the brim Heathrow data reveals the role the UK’s only hub airport and biggest port by value plays in transporting essential ingredients for Christmas celebrations across the world. Based on historical trends, over 140,000 tonnes of Christmas cargo – the equivalent of 66 London Eyes – is expected to fly …

BAM Construction wins ambitious development at Kings Cross The spectacular transformation of King’s Cross led by the King’s Cross Central Limited Partnership (KCCLP) has taken yet another forwards step as KCCLP appoints BAM Construction in London to deliver 11-21 Canal Reach. BAM, which recently completed the newest King’s Cross landmark, Coal Drops Yard, will now …

New partnership programme will help cities to plan for the future The National Infrastructure Commission today launched a partnership programme for cities and city regions across the country, to help local leaders develop long-term strategies that link transport, housing and job opportunities. Chairman Sir John Armitt said the programme would help cities “from the North …

Winner announced in the Network Rail Footbridge Design Ideas Competition Network Rail and RIBA Competitions are delighted to announce the winner and highly commended entry in the competition seeking new design ideas for footbridges. Entrants were set the challenge to design fully accessible footbridges that could be used across Britain’s rail network. The competition was …

First Volvo Excavators arrive at Active Plant Looking to purchase new excavators for their plant hire fleet, Operations Director John Deeble and Managing Director, Jerry O’Donovan, of Active Plant Hire Ltd took a detailed look at the specification and key performance indicators of the Volvo ECR145E and the larger ECR235E excavators. They concluded these were …

£1,000 Christmas BONUS tops off a strong year for JCB JCB today delivered some festive cheer to thousands of UK employees – the company’s biggest Christmas bonus for more than a decade. Around 7,200 employees at JCB’s 11 plants across Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Wrexham will receive an extra £1,000 in their pay packets. The last …

Wood transport enters a new dimension with SENNEBOGEN 830 E and trailer A view over the log yard at Fiberboard in Baruth in the German province of Brandenburg provides optimism for the future. Gigantic proportions, logs as far as the eye can see, and in between them a green material handler steadily doing its rounds. …

EIB supports transport infrastructure in Slovakia The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending EUR 320m to the Slovak government for transport infrastructure in Slovakia. The EIB funds will co-finance priority projects that will be supported by EU funds within the period 2014-2020. This loan is the second tranche of the EUR 670m EIB lending package, …

New platforms open at Britain’s busiest railway station after £800 million investment The former Eurostar terminal at Waterloo station reopened permanently this morning (10 December) for the first time since international services moved to St Pancras in 2007, as part of the £800 million project to increase capacity on the South Western Railway network. Passengers …

House of Lords to debate report on off-site manufacture for construction Today, the House of Lords will debate the Science and Technology Committee’s report “Off-site manufacture for construction: building for change.” Among those listed to speak are several members of the Committee including Lord Fox, Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy …

Highways England reaches milestone for A585 bypass plan A congestion-busting new A585 bypass, dual carriageway, between Windy Harbour and Skippool near Poulton-le-Fylde in Lancashire is a step closer after the Planning Inspectorate agreed to examine Highways England’s plans. The £100 million proposal – to bypass the existing A585 – is being proposed as part of …

Expert engineers work with Liebherr mobile construction cranes to tackle building retrofit Three Liebherr mobile construction cranes have been in action as part of an administrative building retrofit in Neckarsulm. In addition to several steel elements, a MK 140 hoisted several air conditioning units onto the five-storey building. A MK 88 and a MK 100 …

UK Autodrive pilot proves Siemens Mobility intelligent roadside infrastructure Following the successful conclusion of the UK Autodrive pilot in Coventry and Milton Keynes, a series of demonstration days have been held to showcase the technology used in the programme. This includes the roadside infrastructure which was supplied and installed by Siemens Mobility Limited for the …

Shannon Valley invests in Hitachi to cope with growth in Irish construction Shannon Valley has expanded its fleet of Hitachi machinery to keep pace with the growth of the construction market in the Republic of Ireland. Based at Donabate, County Dublin, the contractor has bought a wide range of Zaxis-5 and -6 excavators, and ZW-6 …

Bigger and better Plantworx 2019 already 75 percent full The Plantworx team announced yesterday that the 2019 event is over 75% sold out overall. This percentage takes into account that the show, at its new East of England Arena home is Peterborough, has 20% more exhibition space than the 2017. The digging demonstration areas are …

Ritchie Bros. sells €42 million of equipment at December Netherlands auction Ritchie Bros. sold €42+ million (US$48+ million) of heavy equipment, trucks, and other industrial assets during its two-day auction in Moerdijk, The Netherlands last week. The auction, which took place on December 6 – 7, 2018, attracted more than 2,100 bidders from 92 countries. …

Plantworx Innovation Awards looks for winners Plantworx Innovation Awards 2019 held in association with Railworx – submissions from Plantworx exhibitors invited. Winning an award can have incredible benefits for a company and the value and impact can be far reaching, by enhancing brand profile and recognition, which in turn could lead to an increase in …

EIB supports the upgrading and expansion of the Ports of Rome and Lazio in Italy The European Investment Bank (EIB) is supporting the development of the Ports of Rome and Lazio (Civitavecchia, Fiumicino and Gaeta) with an approved loan of €195m, equal to almost 40 per cent of the local Port Authority’s multi-year investment plan. …

Industry leaders give mandate for autonomous vehicles to deliver benefits beyond safety New research from the Smart Mobility Living Lab: London (SMLL) has found that almost two-thirds (65%) of senior industry leaders are confident that connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs) will be made available for use on UK roads in the next five years. The study …

Highways England looking for smart alliances for England’s busiest motorways Highways England has today invited companies to join a £4.5bn alliance to improve motorway journeys and continue work to connect the country, to deliver the roads of the future. The government company has launched the procurement process for its Smart Motorway Alliance. It needs six …

Cornwall’s HG Thomas Plant Hire gets the Hyundai economical and competitive edge HG Thomas Plant Hire was founded in 1988 by Harold Thomas, based in Helston, Cornwall, over the years Harold has built up a reputation for being the first in line to purchase new to market machines – especially kit that he feels will …

Network Rail announces first contract awards for multi-billion-pound work bank in CP6 Network Rail has announced the award of the first multi-million-pound contracts for Control Period 6 (2019-2024), worth a combined £645m. Story Contracting has successfully acquired ‘Lot 2’ covering renewals and enhancements work in Scotland valued at around £135m, while AmcoGiffen have secured ‘Lot …

Volvo P6870C is the optimum Paver for Asphalt Surfacing Ltd Bringing more than sixty-five years of joint experience within the ‘Asphalt’ industry, Iain Saunders and Rob Darlington decided to join forces to establish their new venture  Asphalt Surfacing Ltd together just seventeen months ago. “Rob has years of experience working for several large contractors from …

Chapter 8 introduces livery products for patient transport services Chapter 8 Shop, a manufacturer of vehicle chevrons, have introduced a livery range specifically designed for patient transport vehicles. Patient Transport Service (PTS) livery is currently sold as a bundle available with either a double or single battenburg design. Each kit also includes a half chevron …

Tarmac and Nottingham Trent University get in gear for cycle safety Cyclists and HGV drivers recently joined forces at a unique event hosted in Nottingham to help find new solutions for improving cycle safety around construction vehicles in town and city centres. Commissioned by leading building materials and construction solutions company Tarmac and delivered by …

Volvo moves the Earth for the Sirius Group From their heyday in the 1970s, motor scrapers have slowly disappeared from the UK to be replaced by ADTs and excavators. The once prevalent behemoths were on every opencast and road job and were seen as the most cost efficient and fastest way of moving muck from …

Predictions of cold winter are bad news for Britain’s local roads Despite the current above average temperatures, weather forecasters are predicting the coldest winter for eight years. This could prove to be bad news for the local road network. The Weather Company is predicting Britain’s worst winter since 2010 – 2011 with temperatures falling to …

England’s first motorway turns 60 with major technology upgrade Exactly 60 years ago today (5 December 1958), 2,300 drivers drove along a new road for the first time… and straight into the history books. The eight-mile section of road they were driving on was the Preston bypass – the very first motorway in Britain, which …

Woodgate Sawmills sticks with Volvo Construction Family-run Woodgate Sawmills of Coleford, Gloucestershire, continues a tradition of owning and operating Volvo loading shovels since way back in 1963 with the addition of a new L50H loading shovel. Situated in the Forest of Dean, Woodgate Sawmills has been run as a family business since it was set …

European Investment Bank loan for Krakow tramways foster clean and green transport The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Krakow bus and tram services operator MPK (Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Komunikacyjne SA w Krakowie) have announced today at the COP 24 conference in Katowice a new loan for the municipal company’s renewal of the tramway fleet. The EIB …

Cleverciti Systems part of Unreasonable Impact to tackle Global Issues and Jobs After a rigorous selection process involving hundreds of world-class companies from across the UK and Europe, Cleverciti Systems has been chosen to join 10 other growth-stage ventures in the 2018 Unreasonable Impact UK and Europe programme. Through 5 December 2018, these entrepreneurs on …

Galliford Try installs 5 span Bailey bridge over River Witham Galliford Try has installed a 140m-long five-span Bailey bridge with 5.9m roadway width over three water courses including the River Witham in the UK to connect the north and south sides of the A15 Lincoln Eastern Bypass site. The bridge will remove the need for …

ITS professionals in the UK split over driverless car investment The UK’s Intelligent Transport Industry seems to be split over whether taxpayers’ money should be spent on the development of driverless cars. At the ITS (UK) Summit in Bristol, a panel of experts debated the motion “This House believes that driverless vehicles are the biggest …

New survey reveals strong public support for British infrastructure investment Sir John Armitt today welcomed a new survey showing strong public support for investment in infrastructure – and recognition of its benefits to the wider UK economy. The chairman of the National Infrastructure Commission said this demonstrated the importance of planning for meeting the UK’s …

The European Investment bank finances better roads in Montenegro The European Investment bank (EIB) and the Montenegro Government have signed today a €40 million loan for the rehabilitation and upgrading of five main roads in the country. The project will also benefit from a €1.5 million technical assistance grant under the Economic Resilience Initiative (ERI), the …

Boschung r-weather presented for the first time at Pollutec in France This week at the Pollutec tradeshow, in Lyon, Boschung presents for the first time in France its brand new multifunctional and modular atmospheric sensor, the r-weather. The r-weather is a compact and unique atmospheric multi-sensor measuring air temperature, relative humidity, dew point, air pressure …

RSMA 2018 Awards takes a look at the winners The Road Safety Markings Association (RSMA) gave widespread recognition to member companies and individuals for outstanding achievements at its annual conference and awards ceremony recently. Here’s why each one of them caught the judges’ attention. SMALL CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR 2018 – SPONSORED BY GEVEKO Awarded …

JCB secures multi-million pound deal with Travis Perkins One of the UK’s largest builder’s merchants. Travis Perkins has invested in 500 new JCB machines worth more than £7 million for its Tool Hire division. The company has bought a fleet of JCB mini excavators and One Tonne High Tip site dumpers to further strengthen its …

Bad eyesight means nearly 3 million UK motorists could be driving illegally Findings from comprehensive eye tests conducted by a leading optician on over 1,000 UK residents have revealed that one in five – which equates to 7.6 million licence-holders – haven’t had any vision check since reading a number plate at 20m when passing …

Liebherr showcasing their equipment at Pollutec 2018 trade fair in France From November 27-30, Liebherr will display their equipment for multiple industries and applications at the Pollutec trade fair in France. Telescopic handler T 55-7 At the Pollutec trade fair Liebherr exhibits the telescopic handler T 55-7, an example of the 8 new telescopic handler …

VolvoCE and Skanska’s electric quarry reduce carbon emissions by 98 percent Volvo Construction Equipment and its customer Skanska have recorded groundbreaking results from their Electric Site research project – including a 98% reduction in carbon emissions, a 70% reduction in energy cost and a 40% reduction in operator cost. Volvo Construction Equipment and its customer …

McCann boosts investment in their Electrical Training organisation to meet industry demand Nottingham-based civil and electrical engineering firm McCann has committed significant additional investment in its approved training organisation, after an increase in demand for its range of industry-wide courses. McCann has received requests for further training to be added to its portfolio from a …

Is the UK public ready for driverless cars? While more than half of the UK public (53%) feel positive about the way technology is driving change in the country, there is some discomfort around one of the most discussed and potentially impactful innovations: driverless cars. According to Fujitsu’s Tech in a Transforming Britain report, distinct …

A quarter of UK drivers call for dash cams to be compulsory New research from GoCompare Car Insurance reveals that a quarter of UK drivers would be happy to see dash cams in cars made compulsory. Dash cams, a small video camera attached to a car’s dashboard or windscreen, recording the road ahead – are …

ALE and OM Heavylift expand to provide full service of port operations at Port of Dundee ALE has expanded its heavylifting services by establishing a non-disclosure agreement with the Port of Dundee and OM Heavy Lift to provide the full service of port operations. ALE, the global heavylifting specialists who provide the handling, transportation and …

Ringway Island Roads upgrades iconic Military Road on the Isle of Wight Ringway Island Roads has just completed a major upgrade to one of the UK’s most iconic roads on the Isle of Wight. A 7.5-mile section of the iconic Military Road has been upgraded in what is the largest carriageway improvement project delivered in …

Ken Marsh finds his way back with a Volvo Excavator Since setting up his own plant hire and ground working business 13 years ago with a brand new EC160B, proprietor Ken Marsh has reverted to owning a new EC140E thanks mainly to the aftersales support and service he’s experienced with SMT GB Taking delivery of …

Tending the St Moritz slopes with Aebi’s VT450 Vario At the start of every December, the world-famous winter sports paradise of St Moritz rings in its winter season. It goes without saying that all the slopes are perfectly prepared by the time they open to the public. Each year, ski and snowboard enthusiasts flock to …

Tarmac and SkillForce partner to help students into professional employment Tarmac, the UK’s leading construction solutions business has launched a ground-breaking educational programme with SkillForce to help students prepare for the world of work, becoming the first company to partner with the pioneering national educational charity. The jointly designed, bespoke one-year programme will support students …

SENNEBOGEN 830E quick change helps dismantle trucks at FW Thomas The right tool for every job – that’s what workers dream of. At scrap dealers F.W. Thomas they have been using a multi-functional tool since 2016, namely a SENNEBOGEN 830 E. From the scrap metal shears to the multi-shell grab, the attachments are changed frequently. …

Volvo Trucks delivers autonomous transport solution to limestone quarry in Norway Volvo Trucks has just signed a landmark agreement with Brønnøy Kalk AS in Norway to provide its first commercial autonomous solution transporting limestone from an open pit mine to a nearby port. The solution for Brønnøy Kalk AS consists of limestone being transported by …

Network Rail seeks major digital railway transformation programme partner Network Rail is seeking a private sector partner to deliver a major digital railway transformation programme on the East Coast Main Line (ECML). The Railway Systems Integration Partner (RSIP) will be appointed via a framework contract worth up to £45 million over eight years. The successful …

Ridgway Rentals adds the new JCB 457 Wastemaster to their hire fleet The brand new JCB 457 Wastemaster was added to Ridgway’s Loading Shovel Hire fleet this week. With the success of the JCB 437 already in the fleet and increased customer demand for waste & recycling specified loading shovels, Ridgway are happy with their …

Taylor & Braithwaite partner up to go UK wide with TBS Plant Ltd Taylor & Braithwaite directors, Paul Taylor and Ian Burton have joined forces with Steve Corner and Brian Conn to form sister company TBS Plant Ltd. The newly formed company will function in the image of Taylor & Braithwaite, supplying market leading plant …

Network Rail confirms £2 billion for better railways in Wales and Borders Network Rail in Wales and Borders is set to benefit from a record £2billion to provide a safer and more reliable railway for passengers and freight customers. It is the first time that the Wales and Borders funding plan has been developed by …

British Council budgets are on a road to nowhere The financial pressure on local authorities is soaring and across the UK, local government reform is hitting the headlines as councils react to growing service demands and reducing Council budgets. In the same week the Government announced its Autumn Budget, devolution deals were announced for Buckinghamshire …

SENNEBOGEN telescopic crane continues to impress at Grand Paris Express construction site The Grand Paris Express, a large-scale project to construct a new super metro, is Europe’s largest infrastructure project to date. The SENNEBOGEN 673 E, part of ENCO’s fleet, is being used on the future driverless underground railroad network for the second time already. …

Ammann asphalt plant retrofit protects the environment Four years ago, Fiegl GmbH of Bavaria invested in the retrofit of an asphalt-mixing plant tower, as well as the replacement of the baghouse. The retrofit led to immediate reductions in emissions, sound levels and fuel usage. The time frame for the retrofit was extremely tight because it …

Volvo takes over as Yorkshire Quarry’s prime mover as production is ramped up Featured at this year’s Hillhead exhibition was a 34-tonne L260H loading shovel destined for Ashcourt Group’s Partridge Hall Yorkshire Quarry, near Pocklington, North Yorkshire. The machine, with its unique Union flag proudly displayed on the engine hood in reflective micro-prismatic vinyl panels, …

Yotta signs 7 year deal with CGI for Asset Management and Solutions to Glasgow CC Technology company, Yotta has won a seven-year contract with CGI, a leading independent IT and business process service firm, to deliver asset management services and solutions to Scotland’s largest local authority, Glasgow City Council. The contract is the largest Yotta …

Defensibility of claims under the new Well-managed UK Highway Infrastructure Guidance The Well-managed Highway Infrastructure Code (WMHI) was published in October 2016, but its two year transition period has now ended. The code was touted as a review of existing practice, as opposed to a complete rewriting, with the focus shifting to a risk-based approach …

Austria’s Latschau Reservoir refurbished with Shell Bitumen The Latschau reservoir is a hub for the hydroelectric power facilities of Vorarlberger Illwerke at Montafon in western Austria. The sealing of the reservoir has now been refurbished with Shell Bitumen RC 70/100 so that it can contribute to sustainable power generation in the future as well. With …

Highways England goes back to school to inspire engineers of the future Highways England is building bridges to inspire the next generation of engineers through a variety of educational activities across the South West. Ongoing and planned engagement with schools and colleges in Wiltshire, Somerset and Cornwall is helping to highlight numerous engineering opportunities within …

Volvo digs in at the Ceannacroc Estates in Scotland Ceannacroc Estates, located to the north west of Fort Augustus in the Highlands of Scotland, has just taken delivery of a new Volvo ECR88D reduced-swing compact excavator for its road building and estate maintenance programme Replacing a Volvo ECR88 Plus that was delivered 10 years ago …

Ringway secures 8 year £16m extension to A417 and A419 maintenance contract Ringway West Unitaries has secured an eight-year extension to the Highway maintenance and services contract for the A417/A419, at a value of up to £16million for the extension. Ringway has provided maintenance services and major maintenance capital improvement projects to the DBFO Company …

UK Road Industry welcomes proposals for 5 year local road settlement The Road Surface Treatment Association (RSTA) has welcomed proposals to develop a five-year funding settlement for local roads similar to that provided for the national road network. The proposals were revealed by the roads minister Jesse Norman at the recent Highways UK event. A …

Highways England warns drivers to give gritters space to work They have attention grabbing flashing amber beacons, are 2.5 metres wide and are painted bright orange, but last year 36 Highways England gritters were driven into. Gritters weigh up to 26 tonnes and when they’re spreading salt travel at 40mph. They often travel in the …

Clearview traffic innovations improve safety and traffic flow at hospital junction An innovative scheme integrating wireless vehicle detection traffic signals, vehicle activated signs (VAS) and a hurry call system has reconfigured a hospital junction to address safety concerns and assist ambulance response times. Tasked with improving safety for the 11,400 motorists who use the junction daily, …

Highways England invests in high-tech gritters take to combat snow and ice A fleet of new look gritters, using state of the art technology are on the road this winter following a multi-million pound investment by Highways England. The first delivery of the new gritters took place in October and will improve safety for drivers …

What we can learn from Scotland’s road safety success Fatalities in Scotland reduced by 24 percent in 2017, according to last month’s Reported Road Casualties in Great Britain. This was the biggest improvement in Great Britain. Fatalities were reduced to 146, taking Scotland ahead of its 2020 reduction target to reduce fatalities by 40 percent. …

New triple decker roundabout project uncovers WWII unexploded bombs Highways experts aiming to transform journeys on a vital part of the road network in North Tyneside had to go back to the classroom and delve into their history books as they started work on the multi-million pound scheme, it was revealed today. Work on the …

Portsmouth based AJ and MJ Plant Sales goes all out for Volvo Excavators Established family-run plant hire and plant sales company, AJ & MJ Plant Sales Ltd of Portsmouth, has broken with tradition and opted for a considerable number of Volvo branded excavators, 26 in all this year with a further 40 units ordered for …

Amey Consulting wins multi-million pound design contract for North West UK roads A multi-million pound contract which will help shape the future of roads across the North West has been awarded by Highways England. The Design Services contract for motorways and major A roads in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Cheshire and South Lancashire is worth £49.7 …

Small Robot Company unveils Harry the prototype farming robot The Small Robot Company, a British agritech start-up for sustainable farming, has announced the official unveiling of its Harry digital planting robot at Agri-Tech East’s REAP 2018 Conference in Cambridge. Just one year on since Small Robot Company first previewed its ‘Farming as a Service’ model …

Bristol City Council wins Best Smart City Award with help from Siemens Mobility Bristol City Council was named winner of the ‘Best Smart City Project’ at this year’s Smarter Travel Awards, receiving the award for its outstanding Traffic Control Service which moved into the council’s Operations Centre in 2017. From the Operations Centre, Bristol’s Traffic …

Mineral Products Qualifications Council to host inaugural BIG Event at MP House The Mineral Products Qualifications Council is hosting their inaugural BIG Event at MP House on Thursday the 29th November. Established in 1983 to help develop and maintain industry training needs, the organisation was originally known as Quarry Products Training Company Ltd and are a …

20 tonne Volvo EC220E Excavator for Michael Henry Ickenham based plant hire and civil engineering contractor has opted for a new Volvo EC220E to coincide with a move to raise its profile in the Greater London plant hire market and expand its client portfolio. Michael Henry Civil Engineering is no stranger to owning and operating …

MUJI and Sensible 4 create first Autonomous Shuttle Bus for all-weather conditions MUJI and Finnish autonomous driving company Sensible 4 have combined their expertise to create an elegant robotbus, first in the world to function in all weather conditions. The vehicle will be displayed to public in its premiere March 2019 in Helsinki. For this …

Highways England innovates to tackle road noise in Wakefield An innovative noise barrier which will reduce the level of noise for residents living close to the M1 is being used in the UK for the first time. The barrier will be installed by Highways England along a section of the M1 at Wakefield and not …

Mabey champions engineering innovation at Bridges Scotland 2018 Exhibiting at Stand B65, attendees can look forward to VR and AR demos alongside a live bridge configurator tool Today marks the first day of Bridges Scotland 2018 in Edinburgh where leading bridge and engineering services specialist Mabey will showcase its innovative bridging and construction solutions to …