In Focus: Latest UK Construction Industry News, January 2007

Pihl & Son scoops £110m schools contract

Danish contractor Pihl & Son has attained preferred bidder status in bidding for a £110m schools contract in Aberdeen, Scotland. The project involves the construction of 9 new schools, with the redevelopment of another. Pihl & Son are one of a number of contractors who will work on this project, with works due to begin in summer 2007. Construction of the new schools is expected to be completed in early 2010.

£2 billion EDF Energy contract awarded to four

The contracts for the first phase of EDF’s £2bn development of their network have been awarded to four companies, including Alfred McAlpine Infrastructure Services and Morrison Utility Services. The works involve upgrading a total of 70,000 substations throughout The East and South East of England and London over a period of 4 years. Further phases of EDF’s network redevelopments include replacing or upgrading 110,000km of overhead power lines and 125,000km of underground cabling.

Skanska net £64m London office project

Skanska have been awarded the contract to construct an 18 storey office complex for the Greycoat Crown Place Partnership in London. The building will house 26,000m2 of office space and 600m2 of retail space. A two-level basement car park will also be constructed. Works are starting immediately on site, with completion expected in November 2008.

Bovis set to bag £200m Gloucester regeneration

Bovis are said to be in a strong position to snap up this deal, which involves an extensive redevelopment of a large area of Gloucester. The scheme includes a number of features, including 1,000 new houses, waterside cafes, restaurants, bars and retail outlets, offices and workshops, and even a new canal bridge. Demolition for the redevelopment is expected to begin later this year, with construction beginning shortly after. Final completion of all works, including infrastructure and fit out/refurb works, is due in 2010.

Skanska/GrantRail partnership wins £39m DLR extension

The pair of contractors has recently sealed a deal to extend the existing Docklands Light Railway to Stratford International station, in preparation for the 2012 Olympics. Their job involves the construction of new platforms, track alignment, and early works on a new DLR station at Stratford International. Works on the project are starting immediately with the expectation of finishing in early 2009. This line is expected to play an essential role in providing transportation between Stratford and the Olympic site itself.

Kier clear favourites to win project on £400m Birmingham mixed development

Inside sources suggest Kier will win the £60 million contract for the first phase of the development in central Birmingham, beating rivals Sir Robert McAlpine and Balfour Beatty. The project will involve building an 11 storey office block, set to house accountancy firm KPMG when it is completed. Further phases of the scheme will see several more structures built, including 300 flats, two more office blocks, a fitness complex, a luxury hotel and restaurants and a number of bars and shops. Works are due to begin during the coming spring

£40m shopping centre deal goes to Wates

Wates have secured a contract to replace the aging Chelmsley Wood shopping centre in the West Midlands. The original 1970’s structure will be replaced by a more modern glass fronted building, containing an around 14,000m2 of new retail space. The new shopping centre is part of a larger 15 year plan to regenerate parts of Solihull, which has been in progress for several years now. Works on the shopping centre is due to begin with demolition of the old structure in the next few months, with completion scheduled for 2010.

Galliford Try lands £49m Nottingham ‘care village’ contract

A so called ‘care village’ is to be built on the outskirts of Nottingham in which elderly people will be able to live and be cared for. A total of 355 apartments and 72 bungalows will be constructed by Galliford Try across the 11 hectare site. Works on site are scheduled to begin in March 2007, and completed at an unconfirmed point in 2009.