Europe

EIB funding Helsinki Airport €150 million expansion plans Finavia Corporation, a Finnish airport company, and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have signed a loan agreement of €150 million in Helsinki today. The financing will be used for phase IV of Helsinki Airport’s expansion plans, featuring the extension of Terminal 2 with new arrivals and departures …

Air pollution to exceed limits at four out of five Breathe London sites Environmental Defense Fund Europe (EDFE) together with Mayor Sadiq Khan have released the second wave of data from Breathe London, an ambitious collaborative project to measure and map air pollution across the capital. In addition to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) measurements from the …

Digital Catapult weather monitoring system helping Bloodhound break the land speed record Digital Catapult, the UK’s leading agency for the early adoption of advanced digital technologies, has built an advanced weather monitoring system using IoT (Internet of Things) and Amazon Web Services (AWS). The innovative system will be used by the Bloodhound Project during testing …

GAP brings Goldie the Glittery Excavator to the market to raise money for charity This year marked 50 years for GAP Group, and the hire company has been celebrating their golden anniversary throughout 2019 in a number of ways, including being generously gifted a custom-painted gold excavator by Kubota, called Goldie. The Gold Excavator has …

Kar-go first road-worthy autonomous delivery-bot in Europe introduced at CAV Scotland Coming soon to your front door! Meet the Kar-go, an electric, driverless, delivery vehicle that is being demonstrated at CAV Scotland today and tomorrow (13 & 14 November). Kar-go uses AI based on advanced neural networks to remove up to 90% of the cost …

Congrid promoting development of PropTech in Finland at RecoTech RecoTech is an event focusing on key technological innovations in the real estate and construction industry in the Nordic countries. This official side-event of SLUSH will be arranged on 20 November at the Train Factory in the Vallila district of Helsinki. The event is jointly organized …

Two all-new Volvo EC60E Excavators head to Wick Housebuilding and ground working contractors M M Miller Ltd of Wick, Caithness, is one of the first to take delivery of the all-new Volvo EC60E compact excavator, launched earlier this year at Plantworx. The pair of machines have been supplied by SMT GB’s utility equipment dealer for …

AUSA C251H forklift receives Technological Innovation recognition at Ecomondo Italy AUSA‘s new all-terrain C251H forklift won the award for Technological Innovation at the 23rd edition of the Ecomondo trade show held in Rimini, Italy. Ecomondo is an annual trade fair that is focused on the sustainability of technological and industrial equipment and this year it …

EU Commission approves €22m to promote rail transport operability in the Netherlands The European Commission has approved €22.2 million of public support to upgrade the traffic management equipment on freight locomotives in the Netherlands. The scheme will help to make railway systems more interoperable in the EU without unduly distorting competition. Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, in …

EIB funds €140m expansion for Port of Piraeus transformation in Greece The European Investment Bank (EIB) today formally agreed to provide €140 million to support expansion and upgrading of the Port of Piraeus, the principal port of Greece. The largest ever loan for port investment in the country by Europe’s long-term lending institution, will support …

TRL launches road monitoring device to speed up maintenance and repair initiatives At the Highways UK event at the NEC in Birmingham this week, TRL presented its cost-effective, easy to use, road condition monitoring device to enable highways maintenance organisations to not only monitor the condition of their road network, but to plan ahead by …

Miles Macadam resurfaces England’s oldest and largest Salt Mine North West based specialist surfacing company, Miles Macadam has completed resurfacing works at Winsford rock salt mine – Britain’s oldest and largest working mine, which produces around 80% of the UK’s road salt. Miles Macadam completed works for Compass Minerals to resurface the main loading area …

EIB invests €100 million for environmentally friendly transport in Graz, Austria The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending €100 million to the City of Graz to finance the modernisation and expansion of its tram infrastructure. Part of the loan will also be invested in the renewal of the tram and bus fleet. The EU bank …

ATG Access revolutionary Bridge Protection System delivers safety and security An innovative bridge protection system, which can withstand the force of a 7,500kg truck travelling at 30mph, is now available to protect pedestrians from vehicle ramming attacks. The Bridge Protection System has been developed by ATG Access, the world’s leading innovator of road blockers, bollards and …

Yotta’s Horizons to deliver Highways Asset performance reporting and valuation for Kent CC Yotta has announced it is delivering its visualised highways asset management software solution, Horizons and supporting services to Kent County Council. The announcement follows on from Yotta ‘s involvement in a successful bid for tender led by specialist highway surveying company, Ginger …

SWARCO Traffic maintains quality standards with ISO certification SWARCO Traffic Ltd, the traffic technology specialist, has achieved ISO 45001 accreditation for Occupational Health and Safety. The previous BH OHSAS 18001 was well integrated within SWARCO’s processes and procedures, enabling a smooth transition to the new ISO 45001 standard which organisations need to upgrade to by …

CPI Euromix eliminates mortar failure and wastage with Silo Mixing Station With contractors under pressure to get the job done well, on budget and on time, boosting efficiencies on site is never going to be easy. The construction of modern buildings demands greater control than ever before, which is why the quality of mortar should …

IRENA supports Luxembourg meeting to take Electromobility to the next level The challenges and the opportunities of electrified transport systems were discussed at a Ministerial Conference on Electromobility recently held in Luxembourg. Supported by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) who organised the conference ‘Closing the loop between Energy and Transport,’ which gathered key stakeholders …

New EBRD Transport Strategy to promote sustainable and connected systems The EBRD’s Board of Directors has approved a new Transport Strategy for the five years 2019-2024, refining the previous period’s Strategy to work in a more focussed way on emerging global green economy and climate targets in a sector that, while slow to change, is …

Manitou acquires majority stake in British equipment dealer Mawsley Machinery The Manitou group, world leader in all-terrain material handling, announces the take over of a majority stake in its UK dealer Mawsley Machinery Ltd, based near Northampton, consecutive to the retirement of their main shareholders. A privately-owned company founded in 1981, Mawsley Machinery Ltd supplies …

German tree farm putting Volvo’s first electric compact wheel loader to the test Leick Baumschulen is testing the first L25 Electric compact wheel loader from Volvo Construction Equipment, finding it to be a quiet, emission-free and easy-to-maintain addition to the tree farm and landscaping company’s fleet. Based 30 minutes from the Volvo CE factory in …

Hitachi forestry excavator offers speed and stability for Mivois Environment in France French contractor Schmitt TP has invested in a Hitachi ZX135USL-6 forestry machine for environmental activities carried out by its subsidiary, Mivois Environment. Established in 2012, it specialises in cutting down trees, extracting stumps, wood chipping, and transportation to wood-burning energy boilers. One of …

Bath and NE Somerset Council turns to Yotta Alloy for street lighting maintenance Technology company, Yotta has entered a three-year agreement to deliver its flagship connected asset management software solution, Alloy, and supporting services to Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) Council. The council plans to use Alloy to help manage the reactive maintenance of …

EBRD and EU promote modern and ecologically friendly public transport in Ukraine The city of Kherson in southern Ukraine with a population of approximately 300,000 is replacing its ageing fleet of trolley buses with a modern and ecologically friendly rolling stock and is the latest Ukrainian municipality to join the EBRD’s Public Transport Framework II …

Liebherr Betomat-type mixing tower covers the entire concrete logistics chain One of Austria’s most modern concrete mixing plants has been proving its worth since spring 2019. The Liebherr Betomat-type mixing tower was optimally adapted to customer requirements. With the new mixing tower, the Fröschl Beton company is ideally positioned for the future. The Fröschl Beton company …

SOCOTEC undertakes works for major Welsh road improvement scheme SOCOTEC has taken on the role of principal contractor for ground investigation works along part of the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road Sections 5 & 6 (Dowlais Top to Hirwaun). This key route provides a strategic connection from central England through to Merthyr Tydfil and …

Costain awarded new contracts across the UK Highways sector Costain, the smart infrastructure solutions company, has been awarded a range of new highways contracts in the last quarter, totalling over £150 million. The projects awarded incorporate a mix of services from consultancy and digital technology solutions through to programme management and complex project delivery, demonstrating …

48 years in the recycled aggregates business In October 1970, a 17-year-old Mike Broad, fresh out of education at Wigan Grammar School, secured his first job with local, family-owned quarrying and aggregates business Gaskell Bros., based in Ashton-in-Makerfield. It was to be the only company he would ever work for throughout his long and distinguished …

ERA reports Europe’s equipment rental market continues to grow The European Rental Association (ERA) has launched the ERA Market Report 2019 and reveals for the year 2018, in the EU-28 and EFTA countries, equipment rental companies and other companies providing rental services generated a total rental turnover of more than €26.0 billion. The report finds …

Clearview to launch first of its kind pedestrian and cycle counter at Highways UK With the Highways UK show fast approaching, Clearview Intelligence have been gearing up to showcase their new first of its kind pedestrian and cycle counter at the event. Taking place on November 6th and 7th at the NEC, Highways UK aims …

British Construction firms fined £36m for breaking competition law The British Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has issued three firms with fines totalling more than £36m for breaking competition law in supplying certain concrete drainage products for building projects. Following an investigation by the CMA, the Northern Ireland-based firm FP McCann Ltd is facing a …

Boels Rental invests €29 million for Europe wide JCB Hire Fleet Leading European plant and tool hire company Boels Rental has placed its biggest ever order with JCB as it invests in a new machine fleet, all fitted with the latest telematics technology. Netherlands-based Boels Rental has placed an order worth £26 million (€29 million) …

Gordon Bow Plant Hire invests in the future with Volvo Construction Equipment Gordon Bow Plant Hire Ltd of Broxburn, West Lothian, has added ten new Volvo EC140E excavators for the very first time, as part of a significant £5M investment programme in its fleet rejuvenation and general operations. The new fourteen tonne excavators join a …

BigChange mobile technology streamlining and protecting GAP Hire equipment GAP Hire Solutions, the UK’s largest independent equipment hire company, has deployed a cloud-based mobile resource management system from Leeds-based BigChange. The system has boosted the efficiency of GAP’s operations by equipping field operatives with rugged tablets running a mobile app called JobWatch which includes black …

Are we doing enough to combat construction waste? As the effects on the world become too great to deny, we’re seeing more and more focus turning towards the level of waste produced globally. A widespread understanding that this isn’t sustainable has lead to various sectors looking for ways to address their own waste issues. The UK’s …

Modular construction can help to solve the UK housing crisis Modular Construction is not a new concept, but has been used all around the world for decades. In the UK this method of construction has recently seen a resurgence in popularity, with both housebuilders and policymakers starting to realise its potential to solve many of …

KB Group expands loader fleet with Hitachi Premium Rental in Amsterdam The KB Group has expanded its fleet of Hitachi construction machinery with the delivery of two new wheel loaders – a medium ZW310-6 and large ZW370-6 – from Hitachi Construction Machinery (HCM) Nederland. The Dutch company has facilitated its recent growth in services relating …

Hyundai CE Europe unveils a trio of Stage V compliant HL900 wheel loaders Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe (HCEE) kick starts the HL900 A-series with three Stage V compliant wheel loaders: the HL940A, HL955A and the HL960A. The new A-Series is more than simply Stage V compliant Facing a continuous strong demand on heavy wheel loaders …

The Executive Hire Show gearing up for a great 2020 event The tool, equipment and compact plant hire industry continues to go from strength to strength according to reports from the organisers of the Executive Hire Show 2020 (5-6 February Ricoh Arena, Coventry). During the annual exhibitor ‘Kick-Off’ meeting, at the Show’s established home at …

JCB wins a major order for their new electric mini excavator from A-Plant JCB has announced it has secured its biggest fleet deal to date for its brand new electric mini excavator – just weeks after going into full production. The 19C-1E models – JCB’s first-ever electric mini excavator – is coming off the assembly …

Ashcourt Group upgrade with new Volvo excavators, loaders and a paver The Hull-based Ashcourt Group has added more Volvo excavators and loading shovels to its plant fleet, together with a P6870C wheeled paver that will go to work for the Group’s Civils and Highways divisions. The excavators in question will go to work on a …

Soil Handling Steering Group to establish new guidelines A new partnership, the between the Institute of Quarrying (IQ) and Natural England has been created to update the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) ‘Good Practice for Handling Soils’. The original guide was first published in 2000 by the then Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries …

Network Rail offering epic career choice with Level 3 Engineering Apprenticeships Network Rail are recruiting for the next batch of future rail leaders through the Engineering Apprenticeships scheme. Applications are now open for a March 2020 start and will close when all places have been filled. Engineering Apprenticeships at Network rail are designed to provide fantastic …

Miles Macadam completes Europe’s only multi-storey coach park North West based specialist surfacing company, Miles Macadam, has completed works to surface Europe’s first multi-storey coach parking complex, which will accommodate visitors to Wembley Stadium. Miles Macadam’s reputation as a market leader in the manufacture and installation of Grouted Macadam systems has resulted in the experienced …

Metcalfe Farms brings in the harvest with Volvo Construction Equipment Metcalfe Farms Ltd, the heavy haulage and farming concern based at Leyburn, North Yorkshire, has purchased a Volvo L180H loading shovel and an EC480E excavator. Taking charge of its mineral extraction activities at the Washfold facility, the two new Volvo machines replace two alternative makes …

NEBOSH signs Memorandum of Understanding with Mental Health UK To mark World Mental Health Day 2019 NEBOSH has announced plans to work with Mental Health UK. The memorandum of understanding, which was signed at a reception at the House of Lords last month, will see NEBOSH and the charity explore ways that the two organisations …

Highways England starts survey for a new Merseyside bypass Environmental specialists have begun carrying out surveys as part of design work for a new Merseyside bypass to the Port of Liverpool. Contractors working for Highways England are investigating habitats for otters, birds and bats which need to be protected by law during construction work on …

Second caisson enables new sea lock in IJmuiden Rijkswaterstaat has achieved an important milestone in the construction of the new sea lock in IJmuiden. The second caisson of the sea lock has reached its final position. The doors of the lock will slide in and out of the caisson on the canal side (inner lock …

SWECO awarded two big road upgrade contracts with Galliford Try Engineering consultancy Sweco is set to deliver two major road programme upgrades worth £435 million, in partnership with lead contractor Galliford Try. The contracts, which form part of Highways England’s £8.7 billion Regional Delivery Partnerships framework, will see the business act as chief designer for …

SE England transport strategy to transform economy and hit net-zero carbon by 2050 An ambitious transport strategy plan to more than double the South East’s economy by 2050, create half a million new jobs, reduce congestion, cut carbon emissions and boost air quality has been published today – and people across the South East can …

60,000th Liebherr Crawler Excavator turns heads on the Champs Elysées Within the framework of organising a Liebherr event at the House of Alsace, in the heart of the Champs Elysées, the 60,000th Liebherr crawler excavator occupied a very special place on the world’s most beautiful avenue on 12 and 13 September. The perfect way to …

NEBOSH launches Safety Simplified to shake up workplace safety training NEBOSH, one of the world’s leading providers of health and safety qualifications, has launched Safety Simplified, a brand new approach to health and safety training. The three-day, practical course, which innovatively uses augmented reality to bring safety learning to life, has been introduced to drive …

JCB helps London skills company deliver Electric Digger training The company has provided a JCB 19C-1E electric digger – the world’s first electric mini excavator to go into full production – to the Southwark Construction Skills Centre (SCSC), based on the South London Elephant Park development. The link-up means the training school is the first …

Insolvency in the Construction Sector In the past five years, insolvency rates in the construction industry have increased more quickly than in other industries across the UK. This article considers the common causes of construction insolvency and how to protect your position if insolvency occurs. Recent trends The term ‘insolvency’ indicates a company’s inability to …

Brexit and a non-existent summer put a damper on construction hiring in the UK This year, the annual increase in construction hiring in the UK over the summer didn’t happen, according to recruiter Randstad. The three summer months of June, July, and August usually see approximately 30% of all permanent annual recruitment jobs filled in …

Barcelona buys 42 high-tech trains to modernise metro with €268m EIB support A €268m operation to replace the 42 oldest trains running on the Barcelona metro was finalised with the signature of the contracts covering the supply of the new rolling stock to local operator TMB and financing by the European Investment Bank (EIB), Instituto …

VolvoCE front shovel excavator wins high praise in Slovakia In partnership with SNS, Volvo CE has supplied its first front shovel excavator in Europe to Slovakian dolomite mine operator Dolkam Šuja, meeting the customer’s preference over wheel loaders and backhoes. For more than 40 years, Slovakian dolomite mine operator Dolkam Šuja has tested every combination …

Createc wins 2nd Queen’s Award for their complex nuclear innovations An innovative company known for finding solutions to some of the world’s most complex industrial challenges has been presented with its second Queen’s Award as Createc, which works in civil nuclear, defence, rail, aerospace, security and medical sectors all over the world, has now received two …

Construction Equipment Association recruit expert to the CESAR Network Team The Construction Equipment Association (CEA) has announced the appointment of Clive Harris as a consultant to help deliver the new specialist police unit to combat construction and agricultural equipment crime. Clive was formerly the Agricultural Vehicle Specialist for leading insurers NFU Mutual and an insurer …

SWARCO Traffic helps ease traffic flow at the Southampton Ocean Cruise Terminal Intelligent Variable Message Sign (VMS) technology from SWARCO Traffic Ltd is helping to better manage traffic flow at the newly upgraded Southampton Ocean Cruise Terminal. Five SWARCO VMS have been installed to advise drivers on lane information, managed via a local control system …

Lord Bamford opens new £50 million JCB Headquarters in Germany JCB Chairman Lord Bamford has officially opened a new headquarters for one of its most important European businesses in an investment worth around £50 million. JCB Germany – which was founded in 1965 – is now operating from a brand new facility on a 12 …

Yanmar expands Construction Equipment demo fleet in UK and Ireland Yanmar Compact Equipment Europe (CEE) has expanded its UK and Ireland construction equipment demo fleet, adding the class-leading B95W wheeled excavator to its portfolio of products available for operators to trial. Featuring a 74.4kW (101HP) EU Stage IV/ EPA Tier 4 Final engine, the B95W …

EIB provides €200m to support clean urban transport in Spain The European Investment Bank (EIB) has provided almost €200m for clean urban transport to cut the polluting emissions produced by buses in Spain’s largest cities. The EU bank has been providing this financing since 2017 under the Cleaner Transport Facility, which aims to promote cleaner …

EIB funding €115 million for electric buses in Rotterdam and the Hague The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a loan agreement worth €115 million with public transport provider RET of Rotterdam and the Metropole-region Rotterdam-The Hague (MRDH). RET will use the financing to acquire new electric and diesel-hybrid buses and install related charging infrastructure. …

Agrichianti moves the earth in Tuscany with Hitachi construction fleet An Italian contractor is relying on a fleet of Hitachi construction machinery to help it prepare the ground for vineyards and planting vines. Agrichianti specialises in earthmoving and landscaping in the heart of Tuscany around Radda in Chianti, under the ownership and management of the …

JPG creates full-time BIM role to fast track technology Leeds based JPG Group has created a dedicated role to ensure a fast track compliance and company-wide operation in Building Information Modelling (BIM) Level 2 in just twelve months. BIM is a revolutionary 3D model based digital process that gives the construction industry the insight and …

Highways England brings new way of working to the East of England A new way of maintaining and improving motorways and major A roads in the East of England launched on Tuesday. The new approach will see Highways England take a more hands on role, directly managing both routine road maintenance and the delivery of capital …

Volvo excavator demo sparks new business at D K Plant Hire D K Plant Hire of Aberfeldy, Perthshire has opted for a brace of Volvo compact excavators for the first time, following a successful demonstration by SMT GB’s utility dealer, CS Machinery Sales Ltd. The machines chosen by the company include a zero swing, two …

Highways Awards look at British innovation and digital roads that mend their own potholes Since the Romans put us on the straight and not-so-narrow road, the UK has become a world leader with British innovation leading in highways technology and is now setting new standards in automation, digitisation and artificial intelligence. AI systems are now …

Six people a month risk their life to cross the rail tracks in Grays, UK Over six people a month are putting their lives at risk by walking across the rail tracks at a level crossing in Grays. The latest figures from Network Rail show that over the last year, 74 people have been caught …

GAP Hire Solutions extended hire fleet with 200 Trime X-ECO LED Lighting Towers The national equipment hire group, GAP Hire Solutions, has extended its hire fleet of site lighting towers following the purchase in excess of a further two hundred Trime X-ECO LED sets from Trime UK Limited. The order was finalised at the recent …

Highways England gets green light for major M6 roundabout improvement A multi-million-pound transformation of a key motorway junction in Cheshire will get underway next year after the Government gave the green light for the M6 roundabout project. Junction 19 of the M6 near Knutsford is to benefit from a £43 million overhaul – with a new …

Control and software automation specialist QSI Group expanding with Actemium rebrand QSI Group, part of VINCI Energies UK & RoI since 2017, has been rebranded as Actemium Automation Teesside as it joins the wider Actemium network of Business Units in its mission to boost industrial performance. Since the acquisition of Teesside-based QSI Group by VINCI …

The OCU identifies the cleanest and most neglected cities in Spain The Organization of Consumers and Users ( OCU ) has carried out a study to identify the cleanest cities in Spain. The result shows that the majority are in the north of the country. The cities receiving the most criticism identified excrement and pollution …

Bomag showed off the future of road construction at their Innovation Days With the Innovation Days 2019, Bomag hosted its fourth in-house exhibition at its parent plant in Boppard from 9 to 14 September. At the biennial event, the construction equipment manufacturer showed the complete product range from the small 58 kg tamper to the …

Brenner Base Tunnel concrete produced by two Liebherr Betonmix 3.0 mixing plants Two Liebherr Betomix 3.0 mixing plants produce concrete for the Brenner Base Tunnel major project. This is one of the most important infrastructure projects for Austria and the European Union. Construction work on the Brenner Base Tunnel for a railway link between Austria …

Volvo L150H loader takes charge at Hugh King in Scotland Hugh King & Co has taken delivery of a new Volvo L150H loading shovel for its Hullerhill sand and gravel quarry located at Kilwinning, Ayrshire and has been put in charge of the main yard duties around the plant. “We’ve been operating Volvo equipment for …

Highways England helps to Get Cumbria Buzzing to make A roads bee friendly Colourful carpets of grasses and wildflowers are being sown and planted as Highways England looks to get Cumbria Buzzing and encourage wildlife to thrive and create beautiful flower rich corridors to improve journey experience for drivers. Over the last 70 years the …

Centurion Europe improves on their ratchet strap range Centurion Europe Ltd, one of the UK’s leading independent distributors of DIY and Trade products including, hardware, ironmongery, gardening, plumbing and electrical have launched an improved own branded range of Ratchet Straps. Paul Kantecki, Managing Director of Centurion comments, “As part of our range reviews we invest …

Minster Surfacing celebrates 20th anniversary with the launch of Minster Group Ltd Celebrating 20 years since Civil engineering firm Minster Surfacing was launched, the company is now rebranding as part of the newly formed Minster Group Ltd. The new Minster Group brand encompasses Minster Surfacing and its sister company, Alliance Recycling. The two companies have enjoyed …

Evo-Chev Passive Chevrons installed at Heathrow Airport A number of Evo-Chev passive chevrons made by TMP Solutions have been installed as part of a road refurbishment scheme near Terminal 5 at Heathrow airport. Passively safe Evo-Chevs have been installed in a bid to highlight a bend to motorists, further upgrading the safety of the road …

Hillhead 2020 sees new exhibitors driving record sales The organisers of Hillhead 2020, the UK’s largest quarrying, construction and recycling exhibition, report that demand for space at next summer’s event is at a record high. The outdoor floorplan is close to being finalised with over 90% of space already sold. In addition to the usual …

NEBOSH to showcase new National General Certificate at Health and Safety North Get the first look at the new-look National General Certificate at Health and Safety North this October. This will be the first, in-person UK opportunity for employers and experts to discover the new qualification. And, in a new venture for the charity, visitors …

Hyundai HX300L Excavator proves a crushing success for Derby Crushing and Screening Derbyshire based Chris Ford has amassed over 40-years of experience in the construction plant hire sector. Chris was previously a partner in a crushing and screening recycling business but moved away from it for a while to undertake some agricultural contracting work. The …

Customs expert issues fresh Brexit warning as two-thirds of businesses fail to prepare British businesses that are involved in EU imports or exports should be working to a deadline of 15th October to get their no-deal Brexit preparations in place, or risk being paralysed by costly delays, according to TheCustomsPeople.co.uk. Government data suggests that there …

Nuclear Technology Showcase event in Cumbria explored innovation and digital technology A PIONEERING event held in the UK which brought together nuclear technology, innovations and cutting-edge digital technology to help solve some of the world’s most complex challenges is being hailed as the blueprint for launching similar events in the USA and Canada. Forth Engineering …

Data sharing project trial aims to reduce damage to underground cables A unique project will produce the most accurate picture ever of cables hidden under UK streets, and help reduce the risk of diggers damaging underground cables. The data sharing project is led by UK Power Networks, working with Utility Survey Exchange (originally set up …

Caernarfon-based GNH Agri and Tyre Boss partner up on solid tyres Caernarfon-based GNH Agri is an established dealer for Merlo, Wacker Neuson & Kawasaki, selling new and used machinery and equipment for both construction and agriculture. The company also has a number of customers in the waste and recycling sectors. To satisfy the requirements of …

Skanska experiments with recycled plastic kerbing as a lower carbon alternative to concrete Skanska is trialling use of recycled plastic kerbing instead of concrete to reduce carbon by 40 per cent. The trial is taking place as part of work to find innovative ways to improve delivery of its highways maintenance contract, looking after some …

New book details deployment of Building Information Modelling at Istanbul New Airport A new book by Ozan Koseoglu and Yusuf Arayici details how Building Information Modelling is being successfully deployed in the planning, design, construction and future operation of the Istanbul New Airport, a mega-scale construction project incorporating a varying mix of infrastructures including terminals, …

ALE lightweight service crane completes innovative hire-rise installation in the Netherlands A high-rise building needed new covers installed over its hanging sheds that were high up on the side of the building. An innovative solution was devised using ALE’s specialist lightweight service crane to complete the upgrades. A large heavylift crane could not be used …

Saint-Gobain PAM UK’s Install Plus shortlisted for Highways UK Innovation Award Install Plus, the revolutionary ironwork frame levelling system and installation system developed by leading access cover and grating manufacturer Saint-Gobain PAM UK, has been shortlisted in the Civils & Materials Innovation Hub awards by Highways UK. Install Plus is part of Saint-Gobain PAM’s ongoing …

The Woods Waste Group achieve sustainability goals thanks to Case efficiency The Woods Waste Group, a waste management solutions provider in Blackpool, north-west England, uses its fleet of CASE Construction Equipment machines to recycle 85% of the material that enters its yard. The machines are used to move the commercial waste that arrives from construction …

Operation Pennine patrolling the M62 to improve road safety A month of action to improve safety called Operation Pennine will patrol on one of the most important routes across England starting on Monday 23 September. Highways England is joining up with six police forces, the Health and Safety Executive and the Driver and Vehicle Standards …

Galliford Try wins major road upgrade Highways England contracts The latest in a series of Highways England contracts to carry out up to £8.7 billion of work on England’s motorways and major roads has been announced. As part of its groundbreaking Regional Delivery Partnerships framework, Highways England has signed contracts worth £435 million with Galliford …

Liverpool Lime Street crowned UK Station of the Year at the National Rail Awards Liverpool Lime Street has been named as major station of the year at the 2019 National Rail Awards. The Network Rail managed transport hub beat London Bridge, Kings Cross, Glasgow Central, Manchester Piccadilly and York to the top spot in one …

North Macedonia motorway improvements get green light with EBRD €13m loan The citizens of North Macedonia will benefit from a more efficient and greener highway network thanks to a €13 million European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) loan to finance further improvements to the existing tolling system as well as new electronic toll stations. …

Kryton International buys into Sensohive Concrete Sensor Solutions Vancouver, Canada based Kryton International Inc. has partially acquired the fast-growing concrete sensor company Sensohive. The concrete sensors are disrupting the new digital services for the construction industry. Concrete is the second most used material in the world after water. The young IoT company Sensohive Technologies based …

Bevan’s stubby road maintenance truck proves a capital asset for Priority TM Less was definitely more for traffic management specialist Priority TM when it came to specify its latest impact protection vehicle. Built by Bevan Group and fitted with a crash cushion, with a high-visibility light arrow board by Highway Care, the new truck was …

Highways projects still putting the UK’s underground infrastructure at risk A record 62% of all UK excavation work, including highways projects, is now preceded by a thorough search for underground infrastructure assets, such as pipes and cables, according to Digging Up Britain 2019. The report by LSBUD (Linesearch BeforeUdig), which provides a free to use …

IQ Excellence Awards shortlist revealed for North of England The Institute of Quarrying (IQ) has today announced the northern regional shortlist for the IQ Excellence Awards. The high volume of applications acknowledging the exceptional achievements of individuals, teams and projects have now been analysed by the judging panel of industry professionals. The winners will be …

UK’s Summer disruption highlighted resilience issues of connected infrastructure systems The National Infrastructure Commission is looking to address gaps in understanding of the resilience of complex connected infrastructure systems so that a repeat of this summer’s major service disruptions can be avoided. In scoping its Resilience Study the NIC has highlighted the need for a …

Valoriza Medioambiente wins €142m contract for road cleaning and waste collection in Tenerife Valoriza Medioambiente has won a contract to provide, from this December, the urban cleaning and waste collection and transport service of Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The contract has a duration of eight years and a total value of …

How the construction sector will be affected by Brexit It is undeniable that construction industry, in much the same way as the nation as a whole, will be faced with both challenges and opportunities in a post-Brexit Britain. With that being said, it is currently difficult for any business leader to put themselves in a …

British athlete jumping for joy after landing JCB sponsorship A British athlete who triple jumps further than the fully extended boom on one of JCB’s biggest Loadalls has an extra spring in his step today – after landing a sponsorship deal from digger maker JCB. Ben Williams, 27, of Newcastle, Staffordshire, became British Triple Jump …

Manchester is the UK city with the most micromobility potential Manchester in the UK leads the UK ranking of cities that stand to benefit the most from micromobility services, including shared bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters, according to a new study from mobility specialist INRIX. Birmingham, Glasgow, London, and Sheffield complete the top five ranked cities …

BigChange is afoot at GAP Hire Solutions Following the announcement last year that GAP Hire Solutions had transformed its business with a BigChange to mobile operations, GAP has now completed the BigChange roll-out across the business. Over 500 GAP vehicles have been fitted with the system and over 600 staff have been trained on best …

EIB investments support Poland’s trains of the future Better trains on better railways for a better travel experience. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed an agreement with PKP Intercity to finance the long-term investment programme of the main railway operator in Poland. A PLN 1bn (€233m) loan will help PKP Intercity acquire new rolling …

Highways England introduces hydraulic piling rigs for quieter roadworks People living near a major Highways England roads project have benefitted from new quieter roadworks as hydraulic piling equipment was used to force steel sheets into the ground rather than using the traditional impact method which pounds the structures down. The neighbour-friendly rig has been used …

Savoy Stewart reveals how a smart contract can impact property transactions One of the biggest developments underpinned by blockchain technology has been that of smart contracts. A smart contract is essentially a computer code which can self-execute as well as self-enforce the terms and conditions laid out in a legal agreement. Due to the decentralised nature …

SWARCO Traffic to help Cambridgeshire CC reduce congestion and improve air quality SWARCO Traffic Ltd has signed a new agreement with Cambridgeshire County Council to replace existing traffic technology with an innovative new traffic guidance and parking solution to reduce congestion and improve air quality in and around the city. SWARCO will install 17 full …

Hedgehogs Ahead Signage launched by Spectrum Industrial Safety Signage and Products manufacturer Spectrum Industrial have introduced a new Hedgehogs Ahead sign as part of their road safety signs range. Back in June, former Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling unveiled a new sign featuring a hedgehog. The Department of Transport hopes that this sign will reduce the …

New bridge installation improves infrastructure over Burguillo reservoir near Toledo Within central Spain, the N-403 highway stretches for 178km from Adanero in the north to Toledo in the south. At the northern end, close to Ávila, it passes over the Burguillo reservoir. A new, wider bridge installation was needed, to improve mobility and road safety …

Sweco sets out their vision for mobility and transport in Belgium As part of a consortium, Sweco will provide process guidance and set out the mobility vision for several transport regions in Belgium. The project has been commissioned by the Flemish Department of Mobility and Public Works and is worth approximately 3.4 million euros. The …

NEBOSH unveils updated new-look General Certificate The most trusted health and safety qualifications in the world – the NEBOSH National and International General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety – have been updated with the input of 3,000 of the sectors leading experts and organisations. Listening to what businesses needed their managers to know and …

Liebherr tower crane is the centrepiece of a climate research project in Basel A 150 EC-B 8 Litronic PT Flat-Top crane is the centrepiece of a climate research project in Hölstein near Basel: Currently a simulation is carried out there to find out what would be the effects on our nature if it only rained …

Delta Motorsport launches autonomous electric vehicle platform at Cenex Silverstone-based Delta Motorsport has launched its autonomous-capable electric vehicle test best known as the Delta S2 flexible vehicle platform at the UK’s premier low carbon vehicle and connected automated mobility event organised by Cenex at nearby Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire. The company is exhibiting on …

London Liverpool Street tunnel has almost a mile of track replaced Almost a mile of track has been replaced on the approach to London Liverpool Street, the third busiest station in the UK, to provide a more reliable service to passengers. Engineers working in the Bishopsgate tunnel carried out the track renewal over six consecutive …

MTS Plant expanding territory in Scotland with Yanmar Construction Equipment Following a successful six-months as part of the Yanmar Compact Equipment Europe (CEE) UK and Ireland dealer network, MTS Plant has expanded its territory across southern Scotland. Via its depot in Cumbernauld, the sales and rental specialist will be responsible for distributing Yanmar’s class-leading portfolio …

Siemens Mobility wins Clean Air Zone contract in Birmingham Siemens Mobility has been awarded a contract to design, supply and install a clean air zone (CAZ) ANPR camera monitoring and enforcement solution across Birmingham’s city centre. The introduction of the CAZ has been designed to improve air quality across the city centre, by discouraging the …

Metso develops global Minerals Consumables business and EMEA capabilities Metso is continuing to develop their global production footprint in the Minerals Consumables business area and is reviewing their manufacturing capabilities in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. As part of the initiative, Metso is starting personnel negotiations to review the implications at rubber …

Extra Smart Motorway lanes are saving drivers 40 minutes each week Extra lanes and new technology on one of England’s busiest stretches of smart motorway are saving commuters up to 40 minutes each week. Highways England completed the biggest ever upgrade of the M6 in Cheshire earlier this year, and figures from the first few …

SDS Aqua-Xchange protects vulnerable Cheshire stream near M56 motorway The first installation of SDS Aqua-Xchange ™, the sustainable drainage innovation which turns roadside filter drains into treatment devices that protect the water environment from toxic metals pollution, has been successfully completed on a busy stretch of the M56 motorway. Contractors BDB Special Projects installed the …

New Trimley St Martin bridleway bridge delivering safer access across railway A new, safe, step-free route across the Felixstowe branch line has been opened at Trimley St Martin, providing access to the countryside for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. The new bridleway bridge is the last major part of a £65m investment to upgrade the branch …

Tonic Construction breaks with tradition with six new Volvo excavators “The proof of the pudding will be in the eating,” says Tony Iles, Managing Director of Tonic Construction as the company chooses Volvo excavators for the very first time. Breaking with tradition, the Swindon based civil engineering and groundworks contractor has added six new Volvo …

2020 set to be the tipping point for digitisation in the UK construction industry A survey of 200 UK decision makers in construction, as part of a new industry report, reveals 2020 to be a pivotal year for the uptake of digitisation and digital solutions to address areas such as friction within supply chains, risk …

British veterans produce commemorative road sign for Margaret Calvert OBE Injured veterans at Royal British Legion Industries have joined forces with computer company, Buchanan Computing, to produce a commemorative road sign for Margaret Calvert OBE – a pioneer behind the UK’s road signage system. Graphic designer Margaret Calvert was a leading member of the team …

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street praises JCB for their spark of Imagination The Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street has hailed JCB as an innovative ‘world leader’ in engineering as it goes into full production with its first electric digger. As the industry’s first fully electric mini excavator, the JCB 19C-1E, has gone into …

Womble Bond Dickinson looks at the consultation paper for building safety reforms In June 2019 the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) issued a consultation paper entitled Building a Safer Future: Proposals for Reform of the Building Safety Regulatory System. The consultation period closed at the end of July but it is very …

Research reveals the best places in the UK to be a tradesperson New research from comparethemarket.com has analysed various figures relating to the trade industry around the UK to find out where the best cities and towns are to be a tradesperson, based on factors such as: Annual business survivals* Number of jobs available in …

CASE sell their first Stage V construction machine into Ireland McCormack Demolition, based near Belfast, Northern Ireland, has just taken receipt of the first Stage V CASE machine sold in Ireland. The CASE CX90D excavator was prepared and sold by CASE dealer Cowan Bros NI Ltd, also based near Belfast. The CASE CX90D excavator will …

Go Plant Fleet extends wide-ranging deal with local authority in Lancashire A local authority has renewed a major partnership with one of the UK’s leading providers of commercial vehicle solutions. Go Plant Fleet Services has supplied a range of more than 40 specialist vehicles to Pendle Borough Council, alongside a full maintenance service, for almost a …

Association for Project Management supporting Highways England for a golden future Association for Project Management (APM), the chartered body for the project profession, has today announced that it is working with the major projects profession team at Highways England to introduce a scheme for developing its talented project professionals that – once completed – will …

Metsä Wood shows the Green way of construction and living in Norway Verksbyen, a new green neighbourhood in Fredrikstad in Norway, showcases the future of sustainable living. As part of the project, construction company Arca Nova Bolig is building five five-storey apartment buildings situated in Capjon Park area in Verskbyen. The buildings are being constructed …

Highways England to start £5 million works on the A585 junction in Lancashire Highways England’s £5 million project to transform Norcross roundabout – one of the busiest junctions along the A585 in Lancashire – will hit top gear from Saturday (31 August). And to help businesses, residents, commuters and other road users stay in touch …

Hounslow Highways improves customer experience with new FixMyStreet reporting App Ringway Hounslow Highways has launched an innovative new customer-focused reporting service with FixMyStreet. The new system, which went live today, allows people to report incidents and defects on the network in Hounslow more efficiently than ever before. With an access portal on the Hounslow Highways …

Vodafone and IBM boost National Expresses Digital First approach with Hybrid Cloud The Vodafone Business and IBM venture, which launched earlier this year, has today announced it has signed an eight-year deal with National Express, a leading UK-based transport provider with services in eight countries. The agreement covers the provision of cloud and digital services …

London Bridge passengers can escape the rush with a garden oasis at Stainer Street Passengers at London Bridge station can now escape the hustle and bustle of their daily commutes after the Stainer Street walkway was transformed into a temporary urban oasis. Those in need of a moment of tranquillity can now find it in …

Next generation of digital road message signs a UK first for Costain and SWARCO Marking an industry first, Costain and SWARCO have collaborated to develop and install the next generation of digital road message signs. On behalf of Highways England, the two companies pioneered the technology behind the new signs with Costain delivering the roadside …

CESAR Emissions Compliance Verification project set to complete evaluation phase The new CESAR initiative, helping site managers and others to identify the engine emissions stage compliance of individual machines in environmentally sensitive areas, reached a milestone with the launch of the prototype Emissions Compliance Verification system at Plantworx 2019. Industry feedback on the new system …

Highways England is building bridges with the next generation of repair teams Repair teams at M5 Oldbury swapped scaffolding and concrete repairs for the classroom in a series of special visits to help train the next generation of construction workers in building bridges. M5 Oldbury Viaduct have worked with the Education Business Partnership, through the …

Expert advice on the Construction VAT reverse charge set to impact the UK You have probably heard about VAT changing for the construction industry later this year, but some of the information about those changes can be very complex for non-tax-experts. This article prepared by transatlantic legal firm Womble Bond Dickinson, aims to give you …

EBRD supports Unigran to energise the construction industry in Ukraine Increased availability of high-quality building materials for Ukraine’s construction industry will be secured following the expansion of Unigran Group with support  from the EBRD. Unigran, the country’s leading producer of granite aggregates, associated building materials and services, will receive an EBRD loan of up to …

GAP Hire Solutions shortlisted for prestigious Construction News Talent Award GAP Hire Solutions has been shortlisted in the Health, Safety & Wellbeing Initiative of the Year category at the prestigious Construction News (CN) Talent Awards 2019. The award category acknowledges organisations that strive to recognise and improve its employees’ health, safety and wellbeing. GAP’s entry …

Highways England restoring historic mileposts in Yorkshire Six stone and cast-iron mileposts across roadsides in Yorkshire have been restored, protecting a historical feature and enhancing cultural heritage. The milestones, two on the A616 at Midhopstones in South Yorkshire and four on the A64 near Scampston Hall and East Heslerton in North Yorkshire, are restored thanks …

Network Rail partners with young engineers contest to help their inventions take-off Network Rail has become a national partner in a UK-wide competition to find the young engineers of the future, with the 2019 edition launched at Gatwick Airport. The competition – “If you were an engineer, what would you do?” – is a free, …

Eurovia UK introduces training programme for graduates and student placement drivers As part of its ongoing commitment to road risk management, Eurovia UK began a review of the experiences of young graduates and student placement drivers who had joined the company in 2018. Recognising that many of this intake had not driven commercial vehicles before, …

Clearview shortlisted for two Highways Awards Two road safety schemes delivered at opposite ends of the UK have each been named as finalists in the 2019 Highways Awards. Clearview Intelligence has been shortlisted in the Road Marking Project of the Year category for enhanced delineation in Guernsey and the Road Safety Scheme of the Year …

Millions of reasons why they came to Traffex 2019 Millions of pounds worth of business was done, according to feedback from exhibitors and visitors to Traffex 2019 this year. Comments underline its international importance as a central trading floor as well as a hub for networking and scoping out new products and services. “This year’s …

Cycling infrastructure strengthened by new bicycle bridge structure in the Netherlands The Hook of Holland in the Netherlands is close to the city of Rotterdam where 80% of people own a bicycle and over half a million cycle trips are made every day. In an area where cycling infrastructure is always a priority, a new …

Scotland’s Black Isle Show a huge success for Chris Knight Plant Sales and Yanmar This year’s Black Isle Show proved an unprecedented success for Highland-based Chris Knight Plant Sales. Exhibiting a number of models from Yanmar’s compact equipment range, the dealer hosted hundreds of visitors over the course of the two-day event. Alongside the B95W, …

JPG in Leeds launches strategic Land Engineering service Leeds based civil and structural engineering consultancy JPG Group has launched a dedicated new division in Strategic Land Engineering (SLE). The unique new service links geospatial analysis with its existing engineering consultancy to provide full, early stage, site viability assessments to its clients. JPG’s Strategic Land Engineer …

Network Rail upgrade work at Shrewsbury Station almost complete Work to upgrade Shrewsbury Station continues with repairs and the renewal of station canopies almost complete and work progressing on the refurbishment of Dana footbridge. Network Rail teams have been carrying out essential repairs to the station canopies over platforms 4, 5, 6 and 7 and …

Highways England holding biggest ever emergency exercise on the M62 this weekend One of the biggest ever motorway emergency exercise will take place on the M62 this weekend to help improve responses to major road incidents. Around 100 workers from Greater Manchester and Cheshire’s emergency services will work with Highways England’s traffic officers through the …

Miles Macadam complete resurfacing project at the historic Circus in Bath Specialist surfacing company, Miles Macadam, has completed resurfacing works for Bath & North East Somerset Council and Volker Highways, at the historic Circus in Bath. Miles Macadam has completed works for Bath & North East Somerset Council and Volker Highways to resurface The Circus …

Liebherr will unveil their latest Construction Machinery in Finland at the 2019 Maxpo The Liebherr Group is present at Finland´s largest trade fair for construction machinery Maxpo, which is held from 5 to 7 September in Hyvinkää. On stand A 60, measuring 1.480 m2, Liebherr offers trade visitors a range of construction machinery from the …

Conwy Valley line hosts steam train to celebrate reopening Network Rail and Transport for Wales Rail Services hosted a special steam train trip on Saturday 3 August to celebrate the reopening of the Conwy Valley line. The Conwy Quest, hauled by double headed steam locos 48151 and 46115, ran from Chester to Blaenau Ffestiniog. It …

CEA looking forward to Police support for the CESAR network The Construction Equipment Association (CEA) confirms that it is looking forward to the formation of a new national police resource to co-ordinate the fight against plant theft and complement the work of the CESAR Network and that of the Combined Industries Theft Solutions group (CITS) …

Liebherr MK 88 Plus Crane proves a space-saving miracle for historic Mainz During the use of a Liebherr MK 88 Plus in the city centre of Mainz, the spontaneity of the crane driver and the flexibility of the mobile construction crane were essential: In very restricted space, crane requirements had been changed on site at …

Institute of Quarrying honours high-achieving student Geologists Ten high-achieving students studying Geology at universities across the UK have been recognised for their continuous hard work and announced as an Institute of Quarrying (IQ) National Student Award winner. The second-year geologists of the future were nominated by their respective universities for continuous hard work and passion towards …

Filstone limestone quarry adds Hitachi ZW310-6 wheel loader in Portugal A Portuguese limestone supplier, Filstone Natural SA, has added a Hitachi ZW310-6 wheel loader to its fleet to help it maintain the highest levels of productivity at its quarry near the town of Fátima. Filstone was established in 2002 by CEO Ricardo Jorge and produces …

True Plant Hire expands in the Midlands with Hyundai Excavators Tom Macfarlane started his own business, Trueline Midlands, in 2015 at the age of 25 after his previous employer decided he was too young for a directorship, despite his abilities, and offered him financial remuneration instead. This led Tom in taking the plunge and setting …

SsangYong awarded contract for 32 modified Musso vehicles for Highways England SsangYong Motors UK has been awarded a contract to supply 32 vehicles to Highways England, to be deployed initially in Highways England areas in the north west (area 10), the south east (area 3) and the midlands (area 9). To improve the maintenance and …

Standard Plant Hire builds their fleet with 10 new Volvo excavators Bromley based Standard Plant Hire Ltd has added ten Volvo fourteen tonne excavators to its plant fleet for the first time heralding its entry into hiring larger machines across the South East of England. The new Volvo additions, which are made up of eight …

Clearview Intelligence demonstrates ITS commitment with innovation hub A flagship innovation hub of excellence created by Clearview Intelligence to promote its range of sustainable ITS solutions has been unveiled to company owner Sir John Madejski ahead of its official opening in autumn. Building on the relocation of its headquarters from Bicester to Milton Keynes at …

New station webcam helps celebrate York’s importance as a rail city on Yorkshire Day A new webcam which gives a bird’s eye view of the comings and goings at York station – including the brand new Azumas – went live today just in time for Yorkshire Day. The camera, which can be accessed here, came …

Nokian Heavy Tyres acquires Finnish heavy equipment wheel company Levypyörä Oy In line with Nokian Heavy Tyres growth strategy, the company is acquiring a Finnish heavy equipment wheel company Levypyörä Oy. With its two business lines, wheels and steel structures, Levypyörä serves several original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket customers in forestry, agriculture and earthmoving applications. …

ALE’s bridge removal in Serbia improving river navigation ALE performed the removal of a bridge over the Danube river in Novi Sad, Serbia as the height of the old bridge limited river traffic during high water levels and its curve radius had reduced the fairway width. Its removal would provide safer and more efficient river …

Volvo loader heads to Sunk Island to shift muck for W M Osgerby A Volvo L70H that has just been delivered to W M Osgerby Ltd of Sunk Island near Hull for its muck spreading and contracting business. The new L70H loading shovel was chosen by Proprietors Will and Gill Osgerby, following a successful, competitive …

Laying the foundations for equality in the construction sector It is 50 years since the riots at the Stonewall Inn in New York sparked the international Pride movement, 50 years since people stood up and said enough is enough to the hatred, prejudice and violence they faced on a daily basis. In those 50 years, …

Montracon expands their machinery carrier trailer range Montracon Ltd of Mallusk, Belfast, Northern Ireland, has expanded its machinery carrier trailer range for the UK and Ireland following on from the successful introduction of the three-axle MT45 fixed bed machinery trailer launched in 2017. Now the company is releasing the three-axle MT39 range specifically targeting the …

Hitachi mini excavators one of the main attractions at Ravensburger amusement park Adventure, games and action – that’s what visitors young and old can experience at the Ravensburger amusement park, Spieleland, near Lake Constance in south Germany. One of the more than 70 fun-filled attractions is the BRIO construction site. Since the start of the …

Steam train celebrates reopening of Conwy Valley line A steam locomotive will be heading to the Conwy Valley line this Saturday 3 August to celebrate the reopening of the Conwy Valley line, Network Rail and Transport for Wales Rail Services are hosting a special steam train trip. The line, which was closed in March due …

EBRD invests €250m for urban transport renewal in Poltava The population of Poltava, in the Ukraine will soon enjoy journeys on up to 40 new energy efficient and ecologically friendly trolley low-floor buses thanks to a €10 million European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) loan. The project will be the first investment under the …

£78m M6 junction 10 upgrade to start in the Autumn in UK A £78 million upgrade of the M6 junction 10, which will ease congestion and speed up journeys for the thousands of drivers who use it every day has taken a big step forward. Contractor John Sisk & Son has been appointed to design …

Snøhetta designs Path of Perspectives Panorama Trail on Innsbruck’s Nordkette Range The Path of Perspectives or “Perspektivenweg”, designed by Snøhetta for the Nordkettenbahn cable railway, introduces a series of ten architectural elements along the panorama trail in the alpine landscape that highlight the unique features of Innsbruck’s spectacular Nordkette mountain range. The Nordkette is the …

Cleverciti powers Parking Guidance System at Germany’s largest Shopping Mall Cleverciti Systems, a leader in comprehensive, high-tech solutions for smart parking guidance systems, announced that Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield’s Ruhr Park shopping centre, Germany’s largest open-air, shopping centre, has deployed Cleverciti’s advanced smart parking solution to monitor more than 2,600 outdoor spaces. Cleverciti’s high-end artificial intelligence (AI) sensors …

Highways England starts search for team to deliver A303 upgrade near Stonehenge Highways England is today launching its search to find potential contractors for the A303 Amesbury to Berwick Down scheme past Stonehenge. The company, responsible for the country’s major A roads and motorways, has published its contract notice in the Official Journal of the …

Highways England unveils successful air quality and innovation competition entries Technology which could improve air quality in local communities by helping the way drivers leave motorways was named today as one of the successful entries in a multi-million-pound competition run by Highways England and Innovate UK. The technology would inform drivers of the time remaining …

Baden-Württemberg set for 18 new diesel engine trains with financing from KfW IPEX-Bank As part of an invitation to tender issued by the Landesanstalt Schienenfahrzeuge Baden-Württemberg (SFBW), KfW IPEX-Bank is financing 18 new diesel multiple units for the regional public rail network. The financing of €79 million will be repaid within 25 years after the …

Hitachi Premium Rental excavator provides versatility and peace of mind in Annecy When Charvin Entreprises needed a versatile medium excavator to work on its construction projects in and around the city of Annecy, it found a fast and cost-effective rental solution from Hitachi and its local dealer, Teramat. A ZX135US-6 medium excavator was rented on …

Mabey Hire awarded 300 ton multi-use equipment contract for Port of Tilbury regeneration Temporary works specialist Mabey Hire has announced a deal with construction firm GRAHAM to design and supply approximately 300 tonnes of equipment for the much-needed expansion of The Port of Tilbury, Essex. The new port will enable an increased capacity to manage …

Infrastructure procurement models need new framework for effective future investment Infrastructure procurement of UK projects risks being constrained by lack of evidence on long-term investment outcomes and could have strategic implications for the UK’s ability to meet growing demand for infrastructure services and its Net Zero emissions targets. The lack of a strong evidence base …

Skene adds more Volvo Loaders for its Soutra and Lomond quarries in Scotland Skene Group Construction Services Ltd of Glenrothes Fife has added three more Volvo L220H loading shovels to its fleet, with two going to work at its Soutra Mains quarry and the third taking up residency at the company’s Lomond quarry. Two new …

Yanmar CEE celebrates a successful first year in the UK In 2018, Yanmar Compact Equipment Europe (CEE) made the strategic decision to expand its presence in the UK. In just twelve short months, the company has established a strong dealer network and sales continue to increase throughout the region. The company’s motivation for the expansion …

PLANTWORX Primary Engineer STEM event an inspirational success On the final day of Plantworx Construction Exhibition, (13th June East of England Arena, Peterborough), nine Primary schools from the local Peterborough area took part in the Primary Engineer STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) challenge – hosted by Plantworx and supported by the CEA (Construction Equipment …

Gothenburg Metro added to Siltbuster’s global rail projects Siltbuster systems are being used to treat the waters generated during construction of the West Link project on the Gothenburg Metro in Sweden. This is the latest in a long line of high profile national and international rail projects to call on the Monmouthshire firm’s equipment and …

Metso establishes new business services centre in Vilnius Metso has decided to establish a new Metso Business Services (MBS) centre in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. The investment supports the company’s profitable growth strategy by improving operational excellence and scalability of business services. The Vilnius MBS centre will initially offer services for Metso’s finance operations, …

Bosch and Daimler obtain approval for driverless parking without human supervision Bosch and Daimler have reached a milestone on the way to automated driving: the two companies have now obtained approval from the relevant authorities in Baden-Württemberg for their automated driverless parking system in the Mercedes-Benz Museum parking garage in Stuttgart. The automated valet parking …

Unique railway footbridge design for South Downs National Park in England Local people and visitors are set to enjoy safer access across the railway at Tide Mills in the South Downs National Park after Network Rail’s proposals for a stunning new footbridge were approved. The footbridge, which has been designed to blend with the local …

Highways England starts awarding £8.7 billion in contracts for major road upgrades The first in a series of contracts with supply chain partners to carry out up to £8.7 billion of work on England’s motorways and major A-roads have been signed. Highways England has signed a £61.4 million contract with supply chain partner Geoffrey Osborne …

Tarmac takes the chequered flag for Silverstone resurfacing Tarmac’s new asphalt surface at Silverstone was the stage for high drama as Lewis Hamilton clinched a record sixth British Grand Prix victory last weekend. A new race lap record of 1:27.369 helped take the Mercedes-AMG driver to his historic eightieth Formula One win. A highly skilled …

Fieldfisher wins case against Network Rail in competition case European law firm Fieldfisher has won a hard fought stand-alone competition case in the Competition Appeal Tribunal for its client Achilles Information Limited (“Achilles”), against Addleshaw Goddard acting for Network Rail. The claim arose from changes to the way in which Network Rail, which owns and …

400,000th Durakerb unit drives construction sector to sustainability success Supporting the UK government’s drive towards a net-zero carbon emissions economy, Durakerb (part of the Econpro group) has announced the installation of its 400,000th kerb in the UK, saving the country 12 million kilogrammes of CO² in the last decade. Made from 88% recycled polymer, Durakerb …

McCann and fellow sponsors turn Chilwell Manor Golf Club’s vision into reality A new practice area was unveiled at Chilwell Manor Golf Club on Monday 10th June after several local sponsors, including Nottingham-based civil and electrical engineering firm McCann, donated time and resources to help with the transformation. The golf course, situated close to McCann’s …

O’Rourke Infrastructure put a third Volvo P6870C wheeled paver to work in Portsmouth “Product support is key…” according to father and son team, Phil and William O’Rourke, proprietors of Portsmouth based O’Rourke Infrastructure Services Ltd (OIS) as they take delivery of their third Volvo P6870C wheeled paver. Established in 2010, this family-run business started with …

Network Rail launches a £70m track worker safety task force Network Rail has launched a new safety task force, backed with a £70m fund, to target track-worker safety, bringing together multiple strands of work from across the company aimed at improving safety for employees that work on the railway. Commenting on the initiative, Martin Frobisher, …

Rockwheel owner Rokla to buy Hartl Crusher German rotary cutter manufacturer Rokla GmbH, which operates under the Rockwheel brand, has announced its acquisition of Austrian crusher and screening bucket specialist Hartl Engineering & Marketing GmbH. The deal, which became effective on 27 June 2019, includes the use of the Hartl brand, inventory and intellectual property. …

Go Plant Fleet Services supports key A14 road improvement project in the UK Go Plant Fleet Services has been carrying out a major road sweeping operation on Highways England’s £1.5 billion A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme for the past 12 months, and the company’s contract has just been extended to the end of 2021 …

Highways England on the right lines to make ghost markings disappear Ghost markings and blacked out lines on the road, which can confuse drivers, could become a thing of the past thanks to Highways England’s global search for a solution to the problem. When white road markings need to be removed, for example when road …

TankCare Fuel Certification Scheme looking to protect distributors Leading fuel experts OTS TankCare have created an independent fuel certification scheme for fuel distributors that has been authorised by the FPS (Federation of Petroleum Suppliers). The unique TankCare FQC (Fuel Quality & Certification) Scheme is designed to mitigate against one of the biggest risks facing fuel …

ALE supports Newcastle Metro modernisation with swift double bridge replacement ALE performed a time-critical double bridge replacement in the UK for the Newcastle Metro and the Tyne and Wear Metro. The system serves 36 million passengers each year and the vital bridge replacements will help to ensure the infrastructure’s long-term future. The bridge replacements at …

VolvoCE’s Eskilstuna site drives towards innovation and sustainability Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has announced 16 MSEK of investments at its Eskilstuna site in Sweden, including an arena for customer demonstrations of electric and autonomous machines, a new R&D test track and an energy recovery system for the factory. As part of its long term …

Besblock ends up sponsoring disabled cricket team thanks to a chance haircut Award-winning concrete block manufacturer Besblock has signed a sponsorship deal with Shropshire Disabled Cricket Team after a chance meeting in a barber shop. Besblock MD Andrew Huxley was sitting in the chair next to Shaun Rigby, one of the team’s stars, when they …

VolvoCE gives Nibulon a lift turning grain transportation into plain sailing VolvoCE and Volvo Penta are helping Ukrainian grain exporter Nibulon to make waterways suitable for cargo transportation and relieve pressure from public roads. Nibulon is an undisputed leader of the Ukrainian agricultural market. Established in 1991, the company has grown from a small operation …

Aldimak in Spain takes on Terex Trucks dealership Spain is leading the way on eurozone growth with the country’s construction activity rebounding after several tough years following the global economic crisis. With increased foreign investment and more houses, shops and hotels being built, there’s currently a lot of optimism in the market. It’s with this …

Highways England’s winning formula on track to tackle F1 traffic With a crowd of more than 340,000 spectators and more than 125,000 vehicles heading to the Formula 1 British Grand Prix this weekend, Highways England has come up with a winning formula to ease drivers’ journeys as F1 traffic descends on Silverstone. A one-way system …

HSE clamps down on Welding Fume Control in the UK Businesses that undertake any form of welding activity are being alerted to a tightening of health and safety  around Welding Fume Control law that may have escaped them, but which necessitates an immediate review of risk assessments and the introduction of suitable control measures. Gauntlet …

Recycled plastic will save the environment by creating a pollution free Hydrogen Society A new vision is looking to tackle the world’s problem of unrecyclable plastic and turn it into a solution – aiming to ‘turn off the plastic tap into the ocean’ and ultimately clean it up. Waste2tricity (W2T) will soon be helping to …

Czech Republic public transport in the city of Plzeň supported by the EIB The European Investment Bank (EIB) is lending €50m (some CZK 1.25bn) to Plzeňské městké dopravní podniky (PMDP), a public transport provider in the Czech city of Plzeň. The loan will help implement Plzeň’s sustainable transport strategy, which aims to improve urban public …

Ukraine modernizing City of Kyiv Public Transport with help from IFC and World Bank IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the Kyiv City State Administration have agreed to work together to support the sustainable development of its mass rapid transit infrastructure and ongoing transport sector reforms, and catalyze private investment in transport. …

PolyBitumens invests in first UK road legal mobile storage bitumen tank PolyBitumens has taken delivery of the first ‘Road Legal’ Mobile Storage Tank in the UK, which will enable the storage of Bitumen Emulsion at remote sites around the country. The new bespoke Mobile Storage Tank is part of a £750,000 investment by PolyBitumens into …

Innovative Highways England road signs go multilingual Electronic message signs have gone all multilingual in a ground-breaking initiative to improve roadworks information for lorry drivers. Highways England has started giving roadworks information in nine foreign languages on several of its portable electronic variable messages signs. The system works with an automatic number plate reader in …

Glasgow schools aiming to lower Scotland’s vehicle pollution Schools near Glasgow have been monitoring air quality as part of a project aiming to reduce the levels of pollution emitted by vehicles as they drop off and collect children. The project is part of a ‘Beat the Street’ initiative that was granted £50,000 from a new …

EU commits to boosting economy by investing in efficient transport On Monday 8 July at the seat of the European institutions in Madrid, the European Commission, European Investment Bank (EIB) and Instituto de Crédito Oficial (ICO) explained one of the Investment Plan for Europe’s key priorities: its commitment to transport to drive sustainable economic growth. …

SENNEBOGEN demolition excavator 830 E opens up Regensburg Ten years of standing vacant is enough long enough and now finally Metz Erdbau GmbH has been given the popular task of tearing down what was left standing of the old fortress that was the former Wangler furniture store in Regensburg. At the centre of the work …

InTouch’s SmartWater product featured in House of Commons debate MPs in the House of Commons debated the use of smart city technology, as 5G prepares to roll out across the UK. Lancashire-based InTouch Ltd’s SmartWater work was highlighted in the parliamentary discussion by David Morris, Conservative MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale. Dr Lisa Cameron, Shadow …

Manitou MD takes seat on Construction Equipment Association Management Council Following the Construction Equipment Association (CEA) AGM at Plantworx Construction Exhibition, Chief Executive, Rob Oliver, announced a new member of the Management Council – Mark Ormond, Manitou UK’s Managing Director. Commenting on the announcement Rob said, “I’m really pleased to welcome Mark to the Management …

Victorian railway bridge in Manchester city centre to be restored Passengers, motorists and residents are being informed about work to carefully restore a railway bridge next to Deansgate station in Manchester city centre. The Great North Rail Project work will see the Victorian railway bridge deep cleaned, repaired and repainted to ensure it remains safe and …

CASE Eagle Day in the UK offers guests a unique chance to get hands on with CASE machines On the 16 of  July 2019, CASE Construction Equipment will host a CASE Eagle Day in the UK at Maltby Colliery, Tickhill Road, Rotherham S66 7QW. Maltby Colliery is a 500 acre, fully operational colliery and CASE …

Mabey Hire’s local expertise enabling delivery of Birmingham’s Metro network Leading engineering services specialist Mabey Hire has today announced its role in enabling one of the biggest tram extension programmes in the UK – the Midland Metro Alliance (MMA) Birmingham Westside Metro Extension. Mabey Hire, whose West Midlands depot is located on the doorstep of …

CASE digs in for Goodwood Festival of Speed The Goodwood Festival of Speed, presented by Mastercard, is an epic undertaking from start to finish, with more than 650 cars worth in excess of £1.8 billion performing for a crowd of more than 200,000 across four days. CASE Construction Equipment’s machines have been on hand to …

Second bespoke Volvo EC140ELM Forestry Excavator for BM Excavations Ben Miller, proprietor of East Lothian based BM Excavations has taken delivery of a second bespoke Volvo EC140ELM excavator for his contracting business. Replacing his first EC140ELM purchased three years ago, Ben’s new charge is certainly a one-off, after making a long list of modifications and …

ACOEM acquires Air Monitors Ltd to expand smart cities presence ACOEM Group has accelerated its international expansion plans with the acquisition of Air Monitors Ltd, the exclusive distribution partner of ECOTECH® products in the United Kingdom. Air Monitors Ltd represents many of the world’s leading environmental technology manufacturers and is recognised by leading government and …

Airspeeder could be the new flying motorsport for the 21st Century Airspeeder, a radical new airborne motorsport for the 21st century will make its global public debut at this week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, the world’s largest automotive garden party. The thrilling new Airspeeder race series, which combines the format of Formula E, the thrills …

UK road network at tipping point with a broken funding model The Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT) has commented on the Transport Select committee enquiry report ‘Local roads funding and maintenance: filling the gap’, released today. Mark Stevens, Chair of ADEPT’s Engineering Board said: “As a contributor to the Transport …

Carr’s Group acquires NW Total Engineered Solutions to bolster engineering capability Carr’s Group, the Agriculture and Engineering Company, announces the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of NW Pump & Valve Limited, the holding company of NW Total Engineered Solutions Limited (“NW Total”), a service and manufacturing company providing value added solutions to the …

New CDE plant delivers 100 percent increased production for D’Arcy Sands in Ireland At its Wexford site, near the village of Blackwater, D’Arcy Sands was facing a combination of site-specific challenges, namely water supply and reliance on a traditional bucket wheel classifying system. It recently partnered with industry-leading wet processing equipment manufacturer CDE to commission …

EIB improving the highway of the seas between Sweden and Finland The European Investment Bank has signed a €70 million loan with Kvarken Link Oy, a special purpose vehicle jointly owned by the municipalities of Umeå in Sweden and Vaasa in Finland, to acquire a new ferry to create a highway of the seas, transporting …

Plantworx 2019 proved a triumph despite the rain The 4th biennial Plantworx Construction Machinery Show, incorporating Railworx, (11 – 13 June), hosted by the Construction Equipment Association (CEA), fell victim once again to monsoon weather conditions, but Plantwork 2019 was blessed with a brief respite on the middle day of the event (Wednesday 12th June) …

UK Patent case highlights employee rights over intellectual property A recent decision by the UK Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC) highlighted the need to tread carefully when it comes to the entitlement to patent rights in an invention. The court ruled in favour of the employer, Netsweeper, after consideration of the “normal duties” of the …

Eurovia announces 2 new positive-energy Power Road projects in France While resurfacing the cinema car park in Feurs (Forez Est, central France) and modernising the heat and energy systems in 76 social housing units in Fleury sur Orne (Normandy), Eurovia is continuing to roll out its positive-energy road technology, Power Road®. In the first project, …

Adaptive lighting improves safety on Liebherr L586 XPower wheel loaders A Liebherr L 586 XPower® wheel loader was recently put into operation at the Dowideit Recycling GmbH machine park in Wustermark. The company was impressed by the benefits of XPower wheel loaders, which combine fuel efficiency, high performance, durability and comfort. The adaptive lighting, an …

Network Rail has publishes long term plan for digital railway Network Rail has published a digital railway framework that sets out the long-term delivery of digital signalling, to bring significant benefits to passengers and help suppliers to plan resources. The long-term deployment plan (LTDP) has been published in response to a request from the Department …

Safety first in Northern Ireland for Hitachi excavators on A6 Dualling Scheme A local subcontractor is promoting the safety of its working practices and fleet of Hitachi construction machinery on the A6 Dualling Scheme in Northern Ireland. RB McGeary Contracts’ approach is proving invaluable to the Graham Farrans Joint Venture (GFJV) on the important road …

Highways England unveils electric roadworks vehicles trial Two fully electric powered roadworks vehicles are being trialled by Highways England for the first time, the company announced today. One of the vehicles is being used across the East Midlands and the other on a major scheme which is improving the A14 in the East of England. …

Plantforce Rentals tackles safety with high spec Hyundai wheeled excavator Plantforce Rentals is a leading construction equipment rental company headquartered in Somerset, with additional depots across the West Country and the Midlands. The company owns a fleet of 93 Hyundai machines ranging from 6 tonnes up to 52 tonnes, which include loading shovels, crawler, and …

Costain awarded sole maintenance service provider by United Utilities Costain, the smart infrastructure solutions company, has been appointed as sole Maintenance Service Provider by United Utilities across its operations under a framework contract for an initial period of five years with an option to extend to ten years. Under the contract Costain will provide overall …

Network Rail announces £215m UK wide contract awards for signalling Network Rail has announced the award of 17 multi-million-pound framework contracts to deliver minor signalling works across the country, worth an estimated £215m for Control Period 6 (2019-2024). The minor signalling frameworks, which are split into 17 route-based lots, with two framework contractors for seven …

Osborne to rollout Mabey Hire’s STEM Education Programme Mabey Hire secures further industry support for its STEM Education Programme, which launched earlier this year Mabey Hire is delighted to announce that leading construction and solutions provider Osborne has rolled out The Mabey STEM Education Programme in a secondary school in Southampton. The immersive 16-week course …

JCB Fastrac Tractor sets new 103.6mph British Speed Record JCB has set a new British speed record for tractors with its high-speed Fastrac tractor. The tractor notched up 103.6mph at Elvington Airfield, near York, with TV presenter and engineering guru Guy Martin behind the wheel.  It smashed the previous 87.27mph record set in March 2018 by …

A look at the reconstruction of the world’s longest road tunnel Reconstruction of the Coastal Highway Route E39 is not only Norway’s biggest ever infrastructure project – but the Rogfast road tunnel, of which it is part, will be the world’s longest and deepest underwater highway. With a depth of up to 392 metres below …

Bleeding Wolf in Altrincham to get £800,000 railway investment Bleeding Wolf is an area of railway named after a legendary act of bravery will see an important railway upgrade this summer to ensure faster journeys for rail passengers in Cheshire. The section of railway near Altrincham will benefit from an £800,000 investment by the Great …

Fujitsu reveals UK commuters are demanding investment in rail services The majority of commuters want to see increased investments in technology to make rail services and journeys quicker, cheaper and more reliable, according to not-yet-released data, commissioned by Fujitsu. The research, conducted by Censuswide, found that a significant nine-in-10 commuters think it is important to …

Regen 2019 is the leading exhibition and conference for the UK Regeneration Industry Regen was launched 5 years ago and is now firmly established as the UK’s leading forum for the regeneration industry. Urban & rural regeneration is a massive industry in its own right, and continues to transform the prosperity of every town and city …

Tenneco Prime 3D Simulation software cut engine cylinder development time by 70 percent At the 2019 IAA Frankfurt, Tenneco Powertrain division is presenting their award-winning PRiME 3D® simulation software which has been shown to cut development time for engine cylinder components by up to 70 percent. An industry first, the software tool enables the generation …

Dartford tunnel sees its longest ever loads The Dartford tunnel saw its longest ever free-flow load pass through it recently when it was used to transport an enormous 41-metre-long footbridge. The footbridge, destined for Southend in Essex, was the length of nearly five double decker buses. It was moved in a carefully planned operation between …

New Holland announces new dealer appointment in South Wales New Holland is pleased to announce the appointment of David Evans Agricultural Ltd to cover the vacant territory around Bridgend in south Wales. Located in the heart of The Vale of Glamorgan in Llancarfan near Cardiff, the company covers the M4 corridor from Chepstow to The …

Ferrovial sells 65 percent of Malaga’s Ausol toll roads to Meridiam for €447 million Ferrovial, through Cintra, has reached an agreement to sell 65% of Ausol I and Ausol II toll roads, in Malaga, to French infrastructure fund Meridiam for €447 million. The deal will provide Ferrovial with a capital gain of €474 million and …

Heathrow reveals expansion masterplan with launch of largest consultation Heathrow has launched its 12-week statutory consultation on expansion, the latest milestone in delivering this critical national infrastructure project, as the preferred masterplan for the project is unveiled. The Airport Expansion Consultation runs from 18th June until 13th September 2019 and gives the public the opportunity …

IQ Leadership Webinar 27 June – Understanding Coaching and mentoring skills Understanding the importance of coaching and mentoring to enhance employees’ skills is the focus of this month’s ‘Lunch & Learn’ webinar from the Institute of Quarrying (IQ) Academy. Julian Smallshaw is Head of Education and Standards at IQ and presents the online webinar on …

EIB and National Bank of Greece launch €650m green and urban infrastructure scheme New investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency and urban development projects across Greece will be supported following the first agreement under a new €650 million infrastructure investment initiative. The National Bank of Greece is the first partner bank under the Infrastructure Fund …

LMBab operator can’t live without Volvo Dig Assist LMBab operator Patrik Ekström says Volvo’s Dig Assist feature for excavators has improved his work life massively. Unique to Volvo, the user-friendly new system helps operators complete excavation tasks safely, accurately and in a fraction of the time. When Swedish construction company LMBab purchased a new EWR150E …

Highways England funding clocks up 100 cycle path schemes Highways England has reached a significant milestone of installing 100 cycle path schemes to improve the safety of cyclists and walkers around the country’s busiest roads. As well as improving and maintaining the country’s motorways and major A roads, the company is committed to providing more …

Does renting equipment reduce carbon emissions? Three specialised, independent research companies – Climate Neutral Group, CE Delft and SGS Search – have researched and calculated the CO² emissions during the full life-cycle of ten pieces of equipment representative of the portfolio of European Rental Association (ERA) members. The research concludes that efficient use lowers the …

Isuzu D-Max Pickup partners with Tough Mudder for 2019 Isuzu UK has been appointed as the official automotive sponsor for the Tough Mudder obstacle course series throughout the UK for the remainder of 2019. The partnership will kick off with Tough Mudder’s high profile Scotland event at Drumlanrig Castle in Dumfriesshire on June 15-16. Isuzu …

True Value Engineering delivers better performance and lower costs Value engineering is a phrase that has divided the industry. At a time when the sector is under close scrutiny around the quality of what we build, value engineering – which not so long ago referred to a supply chain working to deliver best value – …

JCB a British success story continues expanding on a global scale JCB, the world’s third largest construction equipment brand by volume, has 22 plants on four continents: 11 in the UK and others in India, Brazil, the USA, China and Russia. The company employs more than 15,000 people worldwide. JCB is privately-owned by the Bamford …

Welsh pothole technology on track to protect one of the greatest NASCAR speedways Potholes are an infuriating and costly hazard faced by many Welsh motorists on a daily basis, but the problem has placed one Welsh technology company on the road to export success. Swansea-based GPC Systems has signed an international distribution contract that will …

KfW IPEX-Bank finances €50 million expansion of Norwegian railway industry KfW IPEX-Bank is providing the Norwegian Bane NOR Eiendom AS (BNE) with funds equivalent to around €50 million (NOK 500 million) to finance the expansion of the Norwegian railway related properties. The loan will be disbursed in Norwegian kroner and has a term of 10 …

Siemens Mobility Plus+ trial introduces third-generation traffic control system Siemens Mobility Limited has announced that the first installation of its Plus+ traffic control solution will take place in Poole, ready for comprehensive on-street trials to begin in July. The system has been developed to deliver on-street resilience and reliability, as well as fast and cost-effective …

Volvo’s autonomous Vera delivers her first container to Swedish port Volvo Trucks’ electric, connected and autonomous vehicle Vera will form part of an integrated solution to transport goods from a logistics centre to a port terminal in Gothenburg, Sweden. The assignment is a result of a new collaboration between Volvo Trucks and the ferry and …

Acclaim the first port of call for SEACON with investment in 13 Hyundai forklifts Award winning Acclaim Handling is a forklift hire sales and materials handling equipment specialist, headquartered in Purfleet in Essex. The company also has six regional service centres across the UK and Ireland and has been a distributor for Hyundai forklifts since …

SACYR Somague awarded construction of €130m Portugal railway line Infraestruturas de Portugal has awarded Sacyr Somague the construction of a railway line 40 kilometres long. This infrastructure project will form a strategic part of the Southern International Corridor, which will link the ports of the south of the country (Lisbon, Sines and Setúbal) with the …

Edward Mackay Contractor purchases fifth Volvo excavator Sutherland based Edward Mackay Contractor Ltd has opted for a second Volvo EC140E excavator, thanks to the machine’s impressive fuel economy, operator comfort and acceptance and general productivity according to Director, Scott Mackay. “We’ve been operating Volvo articulated haulers for a long time and in recent years we …

New Holland showcasing their machinery at Cereals and at The Royal Highland Show New Holland Agriculture will be showcasing the diverse range of products it now offers at Cereals on 12-13 June 2019 as well as at the Royal Highland show on 20-23 June 2019. This will include updates to its telehandler range and its …

Montagnier TP’s Liebherr excavators keep going strong in France In 2017, Montagnier TP expanded its fleet with two new compact Liebherr machines: the A 914 Compact wheeled excavator and the R 914 Compact crawler excavator. These excavators are still very efficient and powerful after two years in operation and are characterised by optimal use of …

New Hyundai A-series Excavator showcased at Plantworx 2019 Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe (HCEE) showcased their new HX220AL at Plantworx 2019, the HX220AL is one of the first Stage V ready Hyundai machines. Packed with new technologies, excellent fuel efficiency, advanced machine controls and augmented uptime support, the new 22-tonne crawler excavator is what Hyundai describes …

Network Rail and Colas Rail achieve a 97 percent diesel-free “Site of the Future” A project led by the Network Rail and Colas Rail has used solar lighting and power generation to prove the viability of a sustainable ‘Site of the Future’, achieving 97% diesel-free operation in support of a major rail renewal project at …

BIM and ingenious Doka formwork building bridges on the A85 motorway in France The A85 motorway is one of the main thoroughfares connecting the cities of Anger and Vierzon in France. Along the route a total of six viaducts are expanded to improve the flow of traffic. Doka made an important contribution to the infrastructure …

Talent in Logistics research reveals significant recruitment problems A new report by Talent in Logistics reveals the logistics sector has a significant recruitment problem, which could potentially cause the nation to grind to a halt. Only 8% of young people consider the sector to be an attractive career option and an astounding 42% don’t even …

SWARCO Traffic signs new framework agreement with the University of Warwick SWARCO Traffic Ltd has signed a new contract with the University of Warwick to provide leading traffic solutions and smart technologies to manage car park occupancy and deliver leading parking guidance across the entire campus, based on the outskirts of Coventry. The contract will see …

Ringway to deliver UK East Region Maintenance and Response contract for 15 years Highways England has appointed Ringway as its Contractor for its East Region (formerly Areas 6 & 8) to undertake the Maintenance and Response Contract, due to commence on 1st October 2019. This tender award success follows a competitive bidding phase, which concluded …

First Liebherr MK 88 mobile construction crane for Grúas Serrat in Spain The Spanish crane company Grúas Serrat SA has taken delivery of a Liebherr mobile construction crane – the first MK 88 Plus in Spain. The handover of the mobile construction crane took place at Grúas Serrat SA’s depot in Barberà del Vallès – a Catalan city in …

Open call for Architects to help UK Local Authorities develop placemaking plans The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has today (Thursday 6 June) launched an open call for architects to apply to work alongside the Local Authorities who have already been selected to participate in the 2019 Future Place programme. From improvements to a …

Clearview award nomination is a reflection of successful safety scheme A route safety scheme initiative that has been described by drivers as a “superb improvement” and a “fantastic use of taxpayers’ money” has been shortlisted for a national award. On Thursday, 13 June, representatives from Clearview Intelligence and States of Guernsey will attend the 2019 …

Mynydd Underbridge in Swansea upgrade renewal to commence Station road, which runs a one-way system close to Liberty Stadium, will close to motorists for the summer so that essential bridge maintenance and repair work can be safely carried out on Mynydd Underbridge. The work will begin on Friday 14 June and will be ongoing until …

Bristol builders saddle-up with Brompton Bike Hire to ease congestion Builders on one of Bristol’s biggest developments will be adding a green tick to their environmental credentials thanks to an innovative partnership with Brompton Bike Hire. Construction workers at the landmark Assembly Bristol project will saddle up on eight iconic Brompton bikes to commute to …

Stockholm Arlanda Airport development financed by KfW IPEX-Bank KfW IPEX-Bank and Swedavia have signed a €190 million loan agreement for the overall financing and development of the Swedish state owned company’s airports, mainly its largest airport Stockholm Arlanda Airport. Swedavia is investing approximately €1.7 billion by 2025 in the development of Stockholm Arlanda Airport. Sizeable …

Volvo loading shovels and hauler package for Tillicoultry Quarries Long standing user of Volvo Construction Equipment products, Tillicoultry Quarries has purchased a further three new Volvo loading shovels and another A30G articulated hauler for its quarrying operations spread across Scotland’s Central Belt and Ayrshire. This latest package is for two L120H loading shovels complete with …

Eurovia helping deliver £15m Transport for Buckinghamshire highways programme Eurovia Surfacing and Eurovia Specialist Treatments (EST) with Transport for Buckinghamshire are to improve more than 100 roads across the county as part of a £15 million highway investment programme. The investment programme includes applying high performance GripFibre micro-asphalt on 51 roads, and polymer modified emulsion …

JCB secures huge deal for 555 Loadalls from Morris Leslie Plant Hire JCB has secured a historic deal with Morris Leslie Plant Hire for their biggest ever telehandler order worth £36 million. The deal for 555 Loadalls, ranging from the compact six metre 525-60 up to the 20 metre 540-200, has been placed through dealer …

Top Speakers lined up for DroneCon2019 at Plantworx ​COMIT (Construction Opportunities for Mobile IT) is delighted to be hosting DroneCon2019 its 2019 Drone Conference at PLANTWORX (11-13 June 2019, East of England Arena Peterborough). The Drone conference will also host the ‘Drone Zone’ where visitors can see some of the latest drone technology being demonstrated …

First Hyundai HX900 L Excavator in Europe sold to demolition giants ABLE UK Hyundai Construction Equipment Europe (HCEE) distributor, Taylor & Braithwaite, located in Cumbria UK, has sold the very first HX900 L crawler excavator to leading demolition giants, ABLE UK. ABLE UK, headquartered in Middlesborough UK, operates across a number of challenging industrial and …

Safety Signage manufacturer Spectrum Industrial at Plantworx Safety Signage and Products manufacturer Spectrum Industrial will be exhibiting at Plantworx 2019 to be held next week at the East of England Arena, Peterborough, 11th – 13th June on Stand Number PA21. Plantworx is the UK’s dedicated working construction event with a huge product showcase for worldwide …

Meet Alan Gow’s new Volvo widespread excavator Thurso based Gow Groundworks has taken delivery of a widespread Volvo EC140E LM excavator for its ground working and general contracting business. This is the second specially converted EC140E LM excavator to join Gow’s fleet of equipment with the LGP conversion working being undertaken by Central Engineering Ltd. …

Rubber roads pave the way for tyre recycling as Tarmac expands asphalt range A new rubberised asphalt, which uses waste from tyre recycling has been launched by Tarmac, the leading sustainable building materials and construction solutions business. Tarmac is the first in the UK to develop a new asphalt technology capable of recycling end-of-life tyres …

Helsinki Airport modernisation financed by KfW IPEX-Bank KfW IPEX-Bank is participating in the financing to expand and modernise Helsinki Airport, some 17 km north of Finland’s capital. The total investment volume adds up to approximately €1 billion, with KfW IPEX-Bank providing a loan of €95 million. Helsinki Airport has been continually expanded since 2014. In …

1 in 5 professional drivers will risk a level crossing according to the train timetable A staggering 23% of professional drivers have admitted that if they knew the train timetable and did not believe a train was due to arrive, they would drive over a level crossing. The most common reasons cited for taking the …

Volvo Excavator with Steelwrist combo a first for Heddle Construction in the Orkneys Orkney based Heddle Construction has opted for a Volvo reduced swing radius ECR145E complete with a Steelwrist tiltrotator for its fleet of equipment. Heddle Construction is no stranger to owning and operating Volvo construction equipment products having previously operated a series of …

Testing of painting platform for Queensferry Bridge enabled with help from Mabey Hire Temporary support towers and jacking systems used to proof test a Rubrica Painting Platform, which will be used to paint the 2.7km-long Queensferry Bridge Leading engineering services specialist Mabey Hire, today announced its role in supporting Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC) and …

Plantworx 2019 has its very own Smartphone App Plantworx 2019 is just a week away! The show has over 450 exhibitors and the big build-up has begun for the 4th biennial Construction show (11th – 13th June, East of |England Arena Peterborough). New for 2019 is the Plantworx App, which is the ideal tool to …

Highways England A428 upgrade saves commuters up to 90 minutes Updated plans to transform one of the busiest road links in the East of England have gone on show today. Commuters using the A428 between Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire could save up to an hour and a half on their journeys every week using a new 10-mile …

Spitfire lands at London Bridge to mark 75 years since the D-Day landings There was a Supermarine Spitfire surprise for passengers at London Bridge this morning as a full-scale replica Spitfire appeared in the station concourse overnight. Network Rail has teamed up with the Imperial War Museums (IWM) to create this installation to mark the …

Scandinavian style for Cornish Plant man’s Hyundai fleet Cornish plant man Kirk Hough has developed a liking for the Hyundai brand over the past few years, having purchased his first 14 tonne class R 140LC-9A back in 2013, K Hough Contractors Ltd are now running four machines comprising two x HX140L’s, a 22 tonne HX220L …

Barcelona to get new fleet less polluting alternative buses with finance from EIB The European Investment Bank (EIB) is financing the modernisation of the Barcelona fleet of city buses, by granting a €73.5m loan helping Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) put 254 new, safer, less polluting and more modern vehicles into service. The agreement was …

Transport for London looking forward to an all Electric City If London plans to be a zero-carbon city by 2050, there have to be huge changes in policy, transport infrastructure and public attitude. Volvo Construction Equipment talked to Mark Poulton, Vehicle Technology Manager and Principal Technical Specialist at Transport for London (TfL) to see how …

Highways England to introduce autonomous plant on maintenance projects Highways England plans to revolutionise construction and maintenance schemes on the strategic road network by introducing the use of connected and autonomous plant (CAP), using analysis and practical trials led by TRL. Highways England has a vision to successfully harness the benefits of deploying highly automated …

Norway’s Wiggo Rønningen Maskin flies the Hitachi flag Norwegian construction company Wiggo Rønningen Maskin AS is using a fleet of Hitachi construction machinery to help it manage a number of projects in the south of the country. Owned by Wiggo Rønningen, its main areas of business include: earthmoving and groundworks; masonry and concrete supplies; drilling …

Find out more about Network Rail’s plans to upgrade Norwood Junction station Local residents and rail passengers are invited to four public drop-in events in June to find out more about Network Rail’s proposals to upgrade Norwood Junction station. The proposals are a key part of Network Rail’s long-term plans to unblock the railway bottleneck …

Probrand reveals IT issues are costing the UK £3.4bn per year in lost productivity According to Probrand, new research has revealed that UK Businesses are losing out both financially and on productivity levels due to their workplace IT systems. A survey of 1,137 UK workers in full or part-time employment, carried out by the technology …

Plantworx Construction Exhibition throws open the gates to keen students Pupils, students, and graduates are invited to attend Plantworx on the last day of the event (Thursday 13 June). Parents, grandparents, and guardians are also welcome to bring their children along to experience a working construction show first-hand. There is no minimum age limit on …

SRC Aggregates opts for CDE Infinity Screens in new wet processing plant SRC Aggregates has opted for Infinity Screens™ in newly commissioned plant from CDE, the world-leading wet processing company, and is set to upgrade its existing plant with the addition of the patented product. SRC has been a CDE customer for around 10 years …

AGD Systems exhibiting at the ITS European Congress in the Netherlands AGD Systems, leading manufacturer of ITS product solutions, will exhibit at this year’s ITS European Congress, 2-6 June, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. ITS European Congress is the largest event entirely dedicated to smart mobility and digitalisation of transport. At this year’s show, AGD will showcase …

Why the UK faces a perfect storm on motorway bridge safety Concrete has been the mainstay of motorway bridge construction for decades and has a wealth of benefits. It’s durable, versatile, and consistently meets the demands expected of it. Not to mention the fact it is cost-effective to produce. However, like the bridges made from …

Volvo paves the way for road improvements in Ukraine A fleet of Volvo wheel loaders, excavators and graders have been helping keep road construction company Lutskavtodor Group running smoothly and safely in the Volyn region of Ukraine for more than 25 years. The Volyn region of Ukraine is home to 578 explored mineral deposits and …

EIB fund €200m Danish rail network link to Fehmarn tunnel The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a loan agreement with A/S Femern Landanlaeg, the company managing the Danish contribution to building of the “Fehmarn Belt” railway connection between southern Denmark and Hamburg in Germany. The €200 million loan is guaranteed by the Danish state. …

Volvo electric excavator lights up the award-winning garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is renowned for beautiful cutting-edge garden design, ornate sculptures and Royal guests. What is less talked about are the weeks of hard work, creativity and manpower that goes into building these elaborate displays. The team behind the …

Dassault Systèmes enables Renault to experiment with Electric Delivery Van Dassault Systèmes announced that the in-house LCI (Cooperative Innovation Laboratory) of Groupe Renault used the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to transform its innovation processes to the cloud and introduce Renault EZ-FLEX, an electric experimental vehicle aimed to understand the last-mile delivery of goods in future smart cities. …

Renault experiments with innovative EZ-FLEX delivery vehicle Renault EZ-FLEX is a compact and manoeuvrable vehicle designed to move seamlessly throughout cities. It provides an optimal footprint in relation to its load space: the length (3.86 m), width (1.65 m) and height (1.88) are small enough to enable access to car parks. Its 3m³ load capacity …

M62 Motorway upgrade to speed up journeys enters the latest phase A major project to provide quicker and more reliable journeys for drivers on the M62 near Warrington will enter its latest phase early next month. Contractors for Highways England are nearing the completion of a new concrete safety barrier in the central reservation as …

RSTA and PwC predict £50bn Council funding black hole for road maintenance Predictions that councils in England could face a funding black hole of over £50bn over the next six years would see even less being spent on local road maintenance as councils would be forced to raid their highway budgets in order to fund …

PLANTWORX featuring the Get SET (Skills, Employment and Training) Zone New for Plantworx 2019 (11-13 June East of England Arena Peterborough) is the Get SET Zone, located in the indoor arena, which is designed to help visitors and exhibitors explore job openings, training courses, apprenticeships, and get support and advice about skills education, employment and …

Clarkson takes to the helm at Triton Construction Triton Construction has announced that regional construction heavyweight Paul Clarkson has been appointed Managing Director to head up the business based in Yorkshire and the North West. Clarkson takes over from Triton founder Michael Parkinson who becomes Chairman to lead other development interests for the company. Triton …

Network Rail’s abseiling teams working to protect railway cutting from rockfalls Specialist abseiling teams are protecting a section of Victorian-built railway in Warwickshire to prevent delays caused by rockfalls. Network Rail is investing £6m as part of Britain’s Railway Upgrade Plan to secure a steep railway cutting at Arley near Nuneaton on a section of …

Electric Quarry site wins Volvo Technology Award Volvo CE’s Electric Quarry Site solution involved the development of an all-new concept of an autonomous, battery electric, load carrier. The prototype machine, HX02, was just one element of an electric site research project that delivered up to a 98% reduction in carbon emissions, a 70% reduction in …

Telensa lighting up the Port of Tyne with their Smart Outdoor Lighting Solution Telensa, one of the leading providers of connected lighting and smart city data applications, has announced that its Smart Outdoor Lighting controls are being deployed as part of the Port of Tyne’s LED lighting upgrade project. The Port of Tyne, in North …

Network Rail seeks traffic management partner for digital railway transformation Network Rail has launched the third procurement in its major digital railway transformation programme on the East Coast Main Line (ECML). The company is seeking a traffic management partner to work within its London North Eastern and East Midlands (LNE & EM) route on the …

Hardstaff Barriers expanding their fork-truck fleet with Hyundai Award winning Acclaim Handling, headquartered in Purfleet in Essex has recently completed a deal with leading Nottingham based security barrier manufacturer, Hardstaff Barriers, for two brand new Hyundai 80D-9 diesel, 8,000 kg, counter balance forklifts. Hardstaff Barriers have been providing temporary and permanent concrete security barriers for …

Hackney Wick station wins prestigious ICE Design Award The re-developed Hackney Wick station has won a prestigious Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) London award ahead of a strong group of other shortlisted projects. The station, which reopened in May 2018, won in the Community Benefit category and was on a shortlist of ten other projects …

Dundee University goes green with an Alumasc CO² neutralising roof One of the busiest buildings at the University of Dundee was able to benefit from a complete replacement of its waterproof roofing with Alumasc Derbigum Olivine roofing membranes. The August 2018 project ran for six weeks and was completed on time, without any complications, after …

Nasco Load Indicators debuts their One Stop Shop Demo Machine at Plantworx Essex based Nasco Load Indicators is the brainchild of Managing Director Neil Smith who has over 30 years of experience in the business. The company which has developed a ‘one stop shop’ approach has been supplying plant safety and productivity systems for the …

National Audit Office reports on the A303 and Stonehenge Tunnel The Amesbury and Berwick Down project – which involves building a tunnel beneath the Stonehenge World Heritage Site – is at an early stage but there are risks and uncertainty around it being delivered on time and achieving the benefits government hopes it will bring, …

JCB X Series Excavators headed to the beach for the Red Bull Quicksand races A pair of hardworking JCB machines, the workhorses of the construction world, soaked up the summer sun on the beach, but it’s very much a busman’s holiday as the giant 20 tonne JCB X Series excavator and JCB wheeled loader were …

Fleet services giant leading way on Highways England Passport scheme A nationwide commercial vehicle provider has reached a significant milestone as part of its commitment to road safety as Go Plant Fleet Services has now put more than 200 of its drivers through the Highways England Passport scheme. And it has revealed plans to ensure every …

Construction begins on £12.5m village outside Stonehaven in Scotland Construction has begun on 91 homes at Mackie Village on Ury Estate in Stonehaven, Scotland, by FMR Construction for Hillcrest Housing Association. Local stakeholders including Andrew Bowie MP, Cllr Sarah Dickinson and Cllr Sandy Wallace joined Andrew Rae from FM Construction and Angela Linton, Hillcrest Housing …

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 …