Construction National Winter 2021/22 by DMMonline

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COVER STORY

Peterborough’s latest social care offering officially opens

The front cover of this issue features Castor Lodge, a new care home in Peterborough that was recently officially opened by the town’s MP Shailesh Vara. One of the most sought-after qualities of a care home is that it forms an integral part of the community in which it is sited. Castor Lodge has an inbuilt advantage in that respect in that it is built on part of the former sports and leisure centre of Pearl Assurance and the rest of the site is still operated by the local community as a sports facility. Read the story of how the new home forms part of a growing portfolio for its operators on page 21

7 Constructive Comment

NEWS

Lutine Bell rung as tribute to Rogers

First piers go into place at UK’s longest railway bridge

Cobuilder and Theatro360

New Year expected to show improvement in starts on site, following a poor year

New campaign addresses injustices on site

Demolition and refurb projects must have safety at their core, HSE says

CHAS announces new RAMS software powered by HandsHQ

BRICK 13

Chairman celebrates diamond anniversary in brickmaking

SUSTAINABLE DRAINAGE 14

Redefining the post-pandemic public realm

FUTUREBUILD 2022 17

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

ENQUIRIES: Advertising

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Editorial

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Subscriptions

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Event brings together pioneers of a net zero future

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First patients treated at new elective surgery theatres

MMC specialist lands more NHS contracts

Report forecasts continuing growth in primary care refurbishment

Peterborough’s latest social care offering officially opens

In a COVID world, cleanliness is indeed next to Godliness

Top team create latest in social care in Berkshire

Crane’s dismantling heralds contract completion

Information suite is officially opened ahead of home’s operation

For all other enquiries: Tel: 0161 710 3880 Fax: 0161 710 3879 Email: editorial@dmmonline.co.uk Suite 2, 61 Lower Hillgate, Stockport SK1 3AW Editor: Chris Stokes Copyright Construction National. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior permission of Construction National. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. Printed in the UK by The Magazine Printing Company Plc www.magprint.co.uk

2CHH

CONTENTS CONSTRUCTION SITE SIGNAGE 26

Reading the signs can be a matter of life or death

With hoardings the medium has become the message

Creative signage can allow your site to speak for itself

WORKING AT HEIGHT 32

Kickstart Gateway passes funding milestone

Compliance sheet milestone reached

IPAF’s members enjoy a welcome return to in-person events

NASC’S COVID-19 crisis comms efforts recognised

CISRS Scaffolder Scheme subsidises stakeholders

New CISRS provision in the North West

Fatal accident prompts uplift of anti-‘DIY tower’ campaign

Worker injured while working at height

TRAINING, APPRENTICESHIPS AND EDUCATION 37

Construction round table brings C&G year to a close

Esholt Hall redevelopment provides ‘real world experience’ for joinery students

Review will assess relevance of Scottish apprenticeships

CIOB’s student challenge opens for entries

Kirklees College wins Construction Apprenticeship Provider of the Year

HEAT PUMPS 40

Energy strategy given cautious welcome by heat pump industry

MODULAR BUILDINGS 41

Modular projects add to NE move to MMCs

SECURITY 42

Twin industries come together to combat theft threat

CESAR protection is now available for power tools

Looking for a product or service? Try our... Website A to Z........15

Construction Supplies........43 www.constructionnational.co.uk

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AS A NEW YEAR UNFOLDS it seems more than ever to be just a continuation of the old. Rising numbers of the new COVID variant are lurking in the background to everyday life, but there doesn’t appear to be the threat of rigid lockdown measures – either at work or home. There are some take-aways from the dark days of the restrictions, however, as paving body Interpave has discovered. The strange world we found ourselves in has led to a reassessing of our use of outdoor spaces, particularly in urban areas, and modern paving materials constitute an opportunity to incorporate modern methods of construction (MMCs) into this new-found desire for open spaces, while providing sustainable drainage systems (SuDS). • Sustainable drainage is just one of the modern methods of construction that will be on show at this year’s Futurebuild expo. With the event still on course for this March in London, Futurebuild showcases the whole gamut of net-zero building, from design through sourcing to construction, use and disposal. The staging of the COP26 gathering in Glasgow has lent extra relevance to this year’s event. • MMCs are being increasingly seen as the solution to ‘building back better’ in many areas of the public sector. Schools are one case in point – evidenced by the completion of two new schools in Northumberland alone in record time. The other main pillar of the public sector building programme that is forging ahead with the use of MMCs is the healthcare sector. From wards to operating theatre suites to world-class research facilities, the modular build in particular is proving itself as the way forward. We showcase the work of one MMC specialist that is helping to transform healthcare provision. • Running alongside healthcare is the social care sector – another growth area for new builds. We have featured many new facilities over the past few years, reflecting the huge strides taken in updating the nation’s provision for elderly and dementia care. In this issue we showcase two new facilities, including the latest to open in Peterborough. That new home sits alongside local sports provision, integrating it into its community. It proudly graces our front cover. • At the other end of a building’s life the issues are much the same as at its beginning. Demolition programmes must be undertaken with the same methodical precision as a building programme. That means planning, management and control, not only to ensure environmental sustainability but also to ensure all works progress safely. That was the message from the HSE in December. • Safety on site is of course in everyone’s interest and the many different kinds of signage that point us towards the hazards on site may seem at first sight baffling. The coding of safety signs is, however, a complex science and each type of sign has been thoroughly thought through. The manufacturers and suppliers of those signs have a trade body which can provide guidance. • The modern world of construction will not, however, be the same after last December. The passing of Richard Rogers has attracted eulogy from many sources and no more need to be added here – other than to note that a visit to the Pompidou Centre in the early 80s, around five years after its opening, is still a treasured memory for this writer. q

Chris Stokes Editor, Construction National

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Lutine Bell rung as tribute to Rogers [ A MOVING TRIBUTE was paid to Lord Richard Rogers at the Lloyd’s

building – one of his most iconic creations – when the Lutine Bell was rung during a remembrance service on the Underwriting Floor. The bell, recovered from the wreck of the Lutine, is rung to announce a shipwreck or natural disaster and to mark the passing of monarchs. The ceremony in December was attended by the late architect’s wife, children, friends, partners and colleagues from his practice Rogers, Stirk and Harbour, as well as Lloyd’s chairman Bruce Carnegie-Brown, who paid tribute to the architect in a short speech. He said: “He will be remembered as the man who challenged the norm, as the best innovators do; who divided opinion, as the best artists do; and who inspired others, as the best leaders do. And today – as we stand in his iconic space – we pay our respects to the pioneer behind the plans.” The Lloyd’s building was one of Richard Rogers’s most cherished projects. Opened by HM The Queen in 1986, the structure took eight years to build. In 2011, it became the youngest building to earn Grade One-listed heritage status. Like its illustrious predecessor, the Pompidou Centre in Paris, it is designed ‘inside-out’, with the services on the outside to allow the greatest versatility of the inside space. Bruce Carnegie-Brown commented: “Anyone who has flown up its 12 floors in a transparent lift – not to mention visited a bathroom on the exterior of the building – has to acknowledge the fun that is built into this structure. We know Richard was a lover of colour, both in his constructions and his wardrobe – so we can only assume the insurers won the debate over this building’s colour palette; but many of his other works reflect that joy. Over the years I’ve taken great pride in showing people round the building, and it serves as a reminder that work can be a place of fulfilment and enjoyment, not just productivity.” q

First piers go into place at UK’s longest railway bridge [THE CONSTRUCTION of the UK’s longest railway bridge took

a major step forward in December when work started on the first of 56 giant concrete piers that will support the Colne Valley Viaduct as it crosses a series of lakes on the outskirts of London. The 3.4km viaduct is being built as part of the HS2 rail project and will carry high-speed trains travelling at speeds of up to 200mph on their way to Birmingham and the North. The first pier was cast by engineers from HS2’s main works contractor Align JV – a team made up of Bouygues Travaux Publics, Sir Robert McAlpine and VolkerFitzpatrick – working in partnership with Kilnbridge. Weighing in at around 370 tonnes, the 6m-tall reinforced concrete pier was cast on site by a team of engineers who used a speciallydesigned formwork to create the shape of the structure. That was then removed after four days to reveal the final product. Each pier is designed to support the full weight of the deck above and rests on a set of concrete piles sunk up to 55m into the ground. Foundation work began earlier last year and will require the construction of 292 piles and 56 pile caps across the whole length of the viaduct. In another visible sign of progress on the project, the team have also completed the construction of the first of four jetties

across the lakes to get equipment into position to support the construction, thereby taking construction vehicles off local roads. Where the viaduct crosses the lake the piles will be bored directly into the lakebed, using a cofferdam to hold back the water while the pier is constructed. Align’s project director Daniel Altier commented: “I have no doubt that the viaduct will become one of, if not the most striking element of HS2 Phase One once complete. The way it will be constructed is going to be equally fascinating for engineers young and old.” q

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Cobuilder and Theatro360 – a collaboration that integrates 360-imaging with structured construction data [NOW, MORE THAN EVER, it is important to understand the pivotal role

of information management in construction. One way we can truly begin to grasp the limitless opportunities in front of us when it comes to utilising the full power of data is through visualisation. A picture says a thousand words, right? Finding an easy way to visualise the data that we need can help us make well-informed decisions. That is why we are glad to announce that Cobuilder and Theatro360 have teamed up to provide the construction supply chain with an innovative and pragmatic solution for integrating data into 360-degree photographs. Now you can build 360 virtual tours with us and explore construction sites or existing buildings with instant access to essential information about any applied construction materials. A simple first step could be using a traditional floor plan with embedded photos as shown in the interactive image below:

Benefits that this partnership brings to the users The combined expertise of Theatro360 and Cobuilder opens many possibilities for playing with ‘real-time data’ and ‘real-life photographs’ in all kinds of construction endeavours, including the marine industry (including superyachts, shipyards and marinas), international airports, construction sites, high-rise buildings, housing developments and more.

JAMEEL virtual inspection tour

(Press the play button to navigate through the interactive 360 virtual tour)

Cobuilder inspection floor plan

(Press the play button to navigate through the interactive floor plan)

Data and 360 photography – a match made in heaven With the help of Theatro360, Cobuilder is able to offer a new option for embedding structured product data within a virtual environment. Together, we combine the visually appealing 360-degree virtual representation of the construction environment with integrated digital product data, structured in standardised data templates. We see this as a pragmatic digital approach towards improving information management in the sector. In simple terms, using our suite of tools and global network, customers can have 360-content integrated with structured construction product data within minutes. Remote users can either do the integration themselves or a team of experts can help them. Getting on-board could not be simpler.

Business park 360 virtual tour

(Press the play button to navigate through the interactive 360 virtual tour)

360-tours are also applicable for virtual safety training during which many potential construction problems can be spotted. This visualisation also allows bringing tailored elements to the tour experience, 3D renderings and model integrations which makes possible the comparison between computergenerated image (CGI) with live environment.

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Data visualisation allows users to look at digital information from different perspectives and helps actors make better-informed decisions. Transparent product information that can be accessed at any time by all stakeholders – clients, architects, designers, engineers, contractors and installers – will increase the awareness of what is actually specified, purchased and installed in the project.

360 photography, Theatro360 and the Cobuilder software platform 360-degree photography allows the viewer to explore an entire 360 scene in the most natural way we perceive things, by rotating a full circle from our initial point of view. When we apply this technology in construction, the opportunities are limitless. By either scrolling or swiping across the screen, any construction actor – be it client, contractor, designer, engineer or a facility manager – will be able to quickly navigate through the information required. Theatro360 is a versatile visualisation tool. It is perfect for showcasing construction sites, properties, yachts, airports, and hotels, allowing the user to explore every detail. Cobuilder applies a futureproof methodology for structuring product data according to all relevant industry standards. Through data templates, built upon a special ‘digital data dictionaries’ framework, Cobuilder aims to achieve a ‘common digital language’ in construction and thus improve the overall information management in the industry. These data models are at the centre of Cobuilder’s software solutions and ensure high-quality data, while Theatro360’s visualisation tool makes everyone feel like they are part of the construction scene. This collaboration brings together the expertise of two companies that are deeply passionate about structured data and virtual reality to provide users with a simple, intuitive way of navigating through project information. q • Learn more about Cobuilder software solutions at https://cobuilder.com/en/ Cobuilder is an international software company with over 20 years of experience in delivering technological solutions that enhance information management in the construction industry.

New Year expected to show improvement in starts on site, following a poor year [

THE LATEST Index of Construction Starts from analysts Glenigan shows that the value of work commencing on site during the three months to November fell 13% against the preceding three months, to stand 20% lower than the same period in 2020. Particularly hard-hit, the value of residential work on site fell by more than a third against the same period in 2020, and 15% against the preceding three months. Private housing construction starts performed poorly, dipping 21% against the preceding three months to stand 37% lower than 2020 levels. Although social housing starts increased 1%, the value dropped more than a quarter against the previous year. That, the analysts say, is indicative that supply chain issues continue to negatively affect the sector. Other sectors also saw sharp falls in start output in the three months to November when measured against the same period in 2020. They include civils (-31%), infrastructure (-36%) and health (-40%). Slightly less impacted, the report shows, were office project starts which fell 20% against the preceding three months; however they did show an increase of 14% on the previous year. Likewise, although health and leisure starts declined 10% against the preceding three months,

New campaign addresses injustices on site

they increased 25% against 2020. Both continued to remain lower than 2019 levels. Bucking the downward trend, industrial project starts were by far the strongest performer in this latest edition of the Index, increasing 11% against the preceding three months to stand 22% higher than in 2020. That made it the only sector to experience dual growth against the previous three-month period and that of a year ago. Despite generally poor performance, economic indicators suggest that this period of general decline is a relatively short-term situation, exacerbated by global material shortages and supply chain issues. Forecasts, including Glenigan’s own, point to start figures surging in the New Year, should those issues be overcome. Strong planning approvals and contract awards, registered in the November Construction Review, predict a strong pipeline of upcoming work to help the construction industry back to pre-pandemic levels of output. Commenting on the latest figures, Glenigan’s senior economist Rhys Gadsby said: “Following a relatively stable third quarter for starts on projects under £100m, the first two months of Q4 have fallen sharply, especially in November, where starts were at their lowest level since May 2020. “Anecdotal evidence suggests that some builders are delaying starting new projects due to the schedules of existing projects already on-site being severely disrupted by material and labour issues. These issues are likely to hold back project starts in the near term, however, with main contract awards and detailed planning approvals strengthening, and as material and logistical constraints ease, it is expected that project starts will start to lift during 2022.” q

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A NEW CAMPAIGN to tackle work-related rights within the construction industry was launched in November by National Accident Helpline. Rights on Site aims to address the treatment of construction workers should they have an accident at work or be facing any unfair treatment. It will highlight the need for a change in culture and enable workers to get the justice they deserve. An online poll was conducted to understand the culture around making personal injury claims and 42% of British male workers said that the prospect of getting justice would be an influential factor in making their decision. As well as addressing the injustices, the campaign will explore the harsh realities of ‘blacklisting’ – the secret vetting system applied by some construction firms. Despite the Employment Relations Act 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations 2010 making blacklisting in relation to trade union activity illegal in the UK, the fear of being blacklisted is still prevalent today and it is preventing workers from making a personal injury claim. Jonathan White, legal and compliance director at National Accident Helpline, explained: “No one should ever feel bullied or shamed into not coming forward about any unfair treatment or injustice that they've experienced on the job – it's a matter of doing the right thing. “Ultimately, we go to work to earn a living, and if that job for some unfortunate reason results in an injury through no fault of our own, we are entitled to carry on living our lives without worrying about bills or supporting our family. We believe that Rights on Site will help right many wrongs that construction industry workers currently face. In the coming weeks, we will be calling for justice and sharing thoughts from the workers themselves who have witnessed it first-hand.” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

Demolition and refurb projects must have safety at their core, HSE says [ THE HSE IS URGING demolition and construction firms to

double-down on planning, management and control when it comes to demolition and refurbishment work. The regulator is reminding companies that the safer they are, the more efficient they are. Good health and safety management increases the likelihood of contracts coming in on time and within budget, with fewer added costs – and often to a higher quality. In the past year HSE has dealt with prosecutions involving severe injuries and fatalities as a result of poorly planned demolition work. HSE is reminding contractors that it is crucial to complete a survey ahead of demolition work, including structural investigation and appraisal which considers the age of the structure, type of construction, the history of the building including alterations, and design codes used to avoid an uncontrolled collapse. Specific consideration should also be given to the effect of the additional weight of demolition machinery and debris on suspended floors and the risks to nearby buildings and structures. HSE’s head of construction Sarah Jardine said: “Structural instability can be a problem in buildings that are old, decayed and poorly maintained, and in newer buildings that have been badly designed and constructed or abused in use. Even sound structures can become unstable because of a lack of planning of construction and demolition work. “It is easy to get it wrong even on small, straightforward structures – which makes it even more important to put the

planning in place when it comes to demolishing large, complex structures. Demolishing these types of structures is a particularly hazardous activity and doing it safely is highly complicated and technical, so relevant expertise is vital. “These jobs require careful planning and execution by contractors who are competent in the full range of demolition techniques and have access to designers and engineers with the right knowledge, skills and experience in this area.” A systematic approach to demolition projects should be a team effort. Clients must appoint professionals who have the relevant skills, knowledge, experience, organisational capability, and who are adequately resourced. They must also, with the help of the principal designer, provide essential pre-construction information to the relevant designers and engineers. That should include a range of surveys and reports to check for presence of asbestos, structural stability, and the location of above and below ground live services. Sarah Jardine added: "Incidents caused by poor planning and risk management can have substantial human costs that are felt for many years by the victims and their families. In addition to the impact on people’s lives, incidents can also lead to substantial remediation costs, higher insurance premiums and, if HSE investigates, court fines and prison sentences, which will inevitably impact reputations. “As well as being morally right, it is simply common sense and good business to ensure rigorous planning, organising, managing and monitoring of the whole project.” q

CHAS announces new RAMS software powered by HandsHQ [ IN NOVEMBER CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert,

announced the launch of a new software product, CHAS RAMS. CHAS RAMS, powered by HandsHQ, will provide CHAS contractors with a web-based risk assessment and method statement (RAMS) solution. HandsHQ is the most trusted risk assessment platform for high-risk work, enabling users to create better RAMS in less time, anywhere and on any device, without the need for training or technical expertise. The cloud-based platform offers a broad library of risk and COSHH assessments covering all specialist contractor activities including electrical, plumbing, HVAC and more. In a matter of minutes, users can create customised risk assessments, tailored to each project. This new partnership reflects CHAS’s ambitious plans for growth and supports their strategic objective of improving standards of safety in the workplace. By offering customers a platform to create quick and easy project-specific RAMS, CHAS can provide even more innovative risk management support, while helping businesses meet the ever-increasing demand to demonstrate stringent quality, safety and environmental standards, Ian McKinnon, CHAS managing director, commented: “This exclusive arrangement with HandsHQ is the perfect addition to our existing suite of products, providing our customers with a straightforward process for producing high-quality RAMS. We are also working towards enabling contractors to create and submit RAMS

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during the accreditation application or renewal process, further simplifying the CHAS accreditation experience.” Jamie Carruthers, CEO at HandsHQ, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with CHAS to power their new CHAS RAMS offering. We’re excited to help their fast growing member base create a safer work environment with our easy-to-use software which does away with the hassle of inconsistent Word documents.” q • For more information call 0345 521 9111, visit www.chas.co.uk and www.handshq.com

Chairman celebrates diamond anniversary in brickmaking [THE FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN of the

award-winning York Handmade Brick Company has celebrated 60 unbroken years in the brick industry. David Armitage (pictured) joined the industry in 1961 as an apprentice fitter with his family firm George Armitage & Sons, based at Rothwell near Wakefield. He moved into sales in 1963, eventually becoming sales director and later marketing director when the business boasted a £20m turnover. The business was sold in 1988, 27 years after David joined, so he decided to set up on his own and bought the York Handmade Brick Company, based at Alne near Easingwold. Recalling the significant changes he has seen throughout his time in the brick industry, David said: “The two new factories at Swillington and Howley Park at Morley, combined with an upturn in trade in the 1970s, changed the fortunes of George Armitage & Sons. For the first time bricks were handled by machine, improving quality and reducing waste, thereby increasing productivity and the value of our output.” Moving from a mass-market producer to a small-scale supplier of handmade bricks marked a dramatic change for David, but he explained: “We haven’t stood still at York Handmade and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved here with a loyal and dedicated staff. “It is fair to say that York Handmade’s market is extremely varied but on a generally smaller scale. Conservation is an important area for York Handmade, along with high-quality one-off selfbuild homes, which have been the mainstay of our operation from when we first started. More recently we have been involved in high-profile schemes away from the housing sector. These have included Chetham’s Music School in Manchester, St Alban’s Cathedral, and London Bridge Station and the Shard in London. “We are currently working on a very prestigious

housing development at King’s Cross and have just completed quality mixed-use schemes in Kensington and Mayfair, so London has been a very fertile market for us. But it is important to stress that we have also embarked on some significant projects in York, Halifax, Beverley, Middleham and Skipton, as well as in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the university towns of Oxford and Cambridge. More recently, a move to a different brick size has posed its own problems. “More technically,” he explained, “specific change has come about because architects now favour a brick with a different size format to the one which has been traditionally used during my 60 years. This is a longer, thinner brick measuring from 40mm in thickness up to 440mm in length. This makes a dramatic impact on the finished brick building and I believe this may well herald a big renaissance in brickwork as a whole.” The company has also seen a major upturn in its fortunes recently. “It would also be wrong not

to mention the dramatic changes which have taken place at York Handmade itself,” David explained. “When I bought the company the works were almost derelict apart from a good reserve of high-quality clay and some battered old kilns. During the last 33 years we have scrapped the old kilns and built state-of-the-art computer-controlled modern ones, while we have just invested in a brand-new £1.2m plant – a fitting way to celebrate my 60th anniversary.” David has also been heavily involved with the Brick Development Association (BDA), the brick industry’s trade association. In 1979 he became chairman of its publicity committee, which was the main marketing committee, leading to excellent relationships with all the leading marketing people in the industry. “This was a fantastic learning experience for me and one I much enjoyed. At that time we introduced the Brick Awards, which have now become the showpiece annual event for the brick industry. Much later, in 1994, I became chairman of the BDA, a position I held for three years up to 1997.” Summing up, David said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my 60 years in the brick industry, meeting some wonderful characters from the shop floor to the boardroom. Indeed, the people I have worked with are my abiding memory and the highlight of my career. “I have always thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie of the industry. I have met some wonderful characters and some fantastic workers who work incredibly hard and give the lie to the myth that the modern British worker doesn’t know what hard work is. They do and it’s always been a real pleasure to work alongside them, especially at York Handmade.” q • For further information visit the website at www.yorkhandmade.co.uk

Two award-winning projects for York Handmade. Left: The company supplied high-quality bricks for the wine cellar at Tupgill Park, the estate near Leyburn in North Yorkshire, which includes the iconic Forbidden Corner visitor attraction. Right: De Grey Court at the College of York St John in York. www.constructionnational.co.uk

Redefining the post-pandemic public realm The pandemic has heralded a fundamental rethink of our public realm showing that a fresh approach is needed to designing the spaces between buildings with multifunctional and long-life but adaptable solutions, ready to meet climate change requirements – as the trade association Interpave explains.

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APART FROM TEMPORARY MEASURES for social distancing, the pandemic has accelerated implementation of issues raised in the past but put on the back-burner. They include active travel (walking, cycling and the ‘15-minute neighbourhood’), low traffic neighbourhoods (reflecting previously adopted home zones) and reinvention of the high street (responding to the growth in on-line shopping). However, a range of wider concerns centred on climate change also need to be addressed in an integrated approach, such as flooding, watercourse pollutants, carbon reduction, air pollution and urban overheating. Measures to deal with these issues are now being implemented by local authorities in planning policies and masterplans.

Replacing temporary measures During the pandemic, local authorities acted quickly with temporary measures for cyclists and socialdistancing pedestrians, manifested with a sea of cones, barriers, road closures and surface planters. Inevitably, these measures were far from ideal and many have proved unpopular. Hurriedly-widened footways with upstand kerbs running along the centre are just one example. Understandably, there was a reluctance to commit to expensive and disruptive permanent changes which often take some time to implement – perhaps Retroﬁtting permeable paving as an overlay makes new use of existing road bases or other years – and quickly become outdated. Now, a more hard surfaces below, and their embedded carbon flexible approach is anticipated with permanent but adaptable paving solutions, applicable both to regeneration and new developments. Adopting the principles of ‘modern and accessibility for all, with scope for endless variety in shape, scale, methods of construction’, factory-produced modular concrete paving colour and texture to enrich the urban environment creating real ‘places offers a solution, delivering fast, low-cost installation, including limitedfor people’. intervention retrofits. Sustainable drainage solutions Importantly in these uncertain times, layouts can easily be altered Urban flooding from rainwater runoff and surcharging sewers is a and modular concrete paving taken up and re-used to meet changing growing problem with climate change. In response, concrete block demands, while meeting ‘circular economy’ criteria for carbon reduction. permeable paving in particular will become far more widespread as This principle generally applies to all precast concrete block, flag and a uniquely flexible sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) technique. kerb products. Distinct, modular units and designed variations in colour, It provides an inherent drainage system with no additional land take texture and shape can break up areas giving visual interest and a human for water storage, treatment or conveyance, and eliminates pipework, scale not possible with monotonous, formless materials. So, modular gulleys and manholes – therefore costing less than conventional drainage concrete paving delivers a unique combination of predictability, safety and paving. Essentially, this technology shares the same impressive performance as conventional modular concrete paving products, being slip resistant, durable, strong and sustainable. The difference with permeable paving is enlarged joints, filled with a permeable aggregate, and the materials used below the blocks, which are specifically selected to accommodate water without clogging. Concrete block permeable paving is unlike – and not to be confused with – permeable materials, which behave very differently. Concrete block permeable paving can be laid level and still avoid puddles and potholes, or adapt to slopes. It provides a safe, firm surface for everyone – including wheelchair users and people pushing prams – unlike gravel and other loose materials. It is also the preferred option around trees, rather than tree grilles, according to BS8300-1 (2018).

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Gradual supply of clean water But equally important to flooding is the long- and short-term damage, caused by pollutants in surface water runoff, to the biodiversity and health of our rivers and streams. The Greater London Authority Road Runoff Water Quality Study concluded that ‘London’s roads are harming London’s rivers’ and proposed SuDS features to manage runoff pollution from the most damaging roads. On any trafficked surface, concrete block permeable paving offers a real opportunity to address this major problem by trapping vehicle pollution from water runoff. As a result of its unique capabilities, permeable paving offers designers the exciting potential of a gradual supply of treated water that can be integrated with landscape design and promotes biodiversity. It also provides clean water at the head of the ‘SuDS management train’ enabling safe, open SuDS features on the surface, downstream.

Construction finance from Aldermore offers fast access to working capital

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CapSure is a range of products from Phoenix Brands formulated to support the reduction in human and environmental impacts associated with the management of hazardous materials.

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Sustainable urban regeneration Another important innovation, particularly for regeneration, is the retrofitting of permeable paving as an overlay which makes new use of existing, conventional road bases or other hard surfaces below and their embedded carbon. These low-intervention, thin overlays create attractive, safe and sustainable shared surfaces. They can be particularly effective when used to supply a gradual flow of clean water horizontally into raingardens or bioretention areas with trees. In fact, green infrastructure will be a major influence on the public realm in future, with more substantial investment in urban tree planting just announced by government and supported by planning policies. For example, the July 2021 National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that: “Planning policies and decisions should ensure that new streets are tree-lined and that opportunities are taken to incorporate trees elsewhere in developments.” However, measures need to be put in place to nurture and allow trees to mature, generally for decades, enabling them to actually deliver their real potential – including net carbon storage, urban cooling through shading and evapotranspiration, biodiversity and public wellbeing. So, the NPPF also requires that: “Appropriate measures are in place to secure the long-term maintenance of newly-planted trees, and that existing trees are retained wherever possible.” Local planning authorities will now need to incorporate long-term tree maintenance measures in planning consents.

Paving and trees in harmony

Helping the timber industries to come to the right decision!

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Suppliers and Distributors of Scaffolding and Access Equipment

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Working within the Construction Industry • Health & Safety Training • Roofing Training

Urban trees and paving have traditionally been seen as in conflict but this is not the case with concrete block permeable paving. Unlike conventional impermeable hard landscape materials, permeable paving allows the same pattern of runoff transfer to the ground as natural vegetation, allowing water – and, importantly, air – to reach tree and shrub roots, while still providing an attractive hard surface above. Also, research has shown that permeable paving does not suffer from the root damage commonly experienced with impermeable surfaces near trees. q

www.nimrod-training.co.uk

• For further information call Interpave on 0116 232 5170, email info@paving.org.uk or visit the website at www.paving.org.uk

Online Tradesman Search Facility & Directory

www.stockporttradesmen.com

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c o n s t r u c t i o n n a t i o n a l w e b s i t e a toz

Welcome to our A to Z guide of the websites of some of the industry’s leading players.

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Event brings together pioneers of a net zero future [

REGISTRATION FOR the net zero pioneering event Futurebuild is now open. The event that has championed a sustainable built environment for the past 16 years takes place from 1-3 March at ExCeL London. Futurebuild is a platform for innovation – connecting specifiers, decision makers and disruptors with major brands and start-ups from across the built environment. If there is one message that is loud and clear from the global climate emergency, it’s that we cannot go on as we are. According to the UKGBC, the built environment currently contributes 42% of the UK’s carbon emissions – produced by both existing buildings and constructing new infrastructure. Drastically reducing emissions over the next decade is vital to keeping the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees. The UK government’s recently-announced Net Zero Strategy; Build Back Greener and the COP26 climate change conference set out the plan for reaching net zero targets and emphasised the importance of taking action now. The outcomes of COP26 will help accelerate sustainable initiatives, but the industry must also come together to share the technologies we need to make those changes. Futurebuild – previously Ecobuild – will be perfectly timed to focus on how the built environment will address those key issues and will be the catalyst for transformational change. The focus can no longer be about net zero ambition: it is about delivery.

About the event As the only event to attract more than 20,000 senior professionals from across the built environment, Futurebuild is the perfect opportunity for the industry to meet and collaborate. Working together is the only way to achieve the transformational change needed if the built environment is going to reach net zero. Futurebuild 2022 is a platform for innovation, creating an exhibition that focuses on six sections: Buildings, Offsite, Interiors, Resourceful Materials, Energy and Critical Infrastructure. The curated event will showcase over 250 leading brands

– the companies who are developing the most innovative technologies, products and solutions. During the event visitors can participate in the innovation trail, which highlights the event’s innovation partners. Visitors will see first-hand how companies are already paving the way for a sustainable built environment and can share their contact details with digitalised badges to build relationships after the event. Exhibitors have also been invited to enter The Big Innovation Pitch: a competition that celebrates new approaches to the biggest challenges facing the industry. Futurebuild will showcase the final products and announce the winner during the event.

Spotlights The event will also feature six spotlights. Digital Impact, for example, is organised in partnership with Glider and with associated partners such as CIAT. Digital Impact offers a spotlight for digital construction and emerging technologies, showcasing the digital ecosystem of construction. Technology has transformed – and will continue to transform – a range of industrial sectors. The construction industry, in particular, has witnessed rapid upheaval over the past decade and digital technologies, such as building information modelling (BIM), have unlocked unprecedented opportunities for growth in construction. As well as exploring those technologies, the spotlight’s speaker programme will feature leaders, pioneers and gamechangers as well as stories from those who are achieving outstanding results and what processes they followed to achieve this. Futurebuild 2022 will also feature spotlights on Whole House Retrofit in partnership with the Retrofit Academy, Circular Materials in partnership with 540 World, District Energy in partnership with UKDEA, Future Installer in partnership with MCS and Intelligent Buildings in partnership with KNX. Those spotlights will include a mixture of presentations, discussions and practical demonstrations that will cover the fundamental issues facing the built environment.

Collaboration is key “Now it is more important than ever to collaborate, because our exhibitors and attendees are all working towards a common goal – achieving net zero,” explained Martin Hurn, event director at Futurebuild. “To ensure we can deliver a sustainable future we’ve curated an event that cultivates cross-sector collaboration, addresses key industry issues and inspires transformational change. “Futurebuild will be the essential platform to showcase existing, or launch new, disruptive technologies for the sustainable built environment to our audience of buyers and specifiers. For example, in our Futurebuild 2020 report, 75% of attendees stated that they attend the event to source or purchase the latest innovations in their field.” Throughout the event the most influential and pioneering thought leaders will take to the stage at Futurebuild’s renowned knowledge programme, to address the industry’s most pressing issues. That includes a conference programme sponsored by Construction Innovation Hub that will explore ambition towards net zero on a macro level, as well as two keynote stages. Each keynote stage session will be delivered by industry-leading partners and associations such as the RIBA, Passivhaus Trust, MCS, BEIS, MPBA, ASBP, Good Homes Alliance, The Concrete Centre and many more. The built environment has limited time to transform the construction industry if we are going to meet net zero targets. Many of the innovative, forward-thinking brands that can provide all the products and processes we need to deliver change already exist – from start-ups to large corporations. The built environment community is passionate about solving the climate emergency: by bringing them together we can accelerate innovation. If you’re interested in visiting Futurebuild 2022 and exploring the most innovative products and solutions in the built environment, visit www.futurebuild.co.uk to register. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

First patients treated at new elective surgery theatres [OVER THE SUMMER the first patients

went under the knife at a newly-opened Elective Orthopaedic Centre at Kent and Canterbury Hospital. The centre houses four new operating theatres dedicated to treating people needing planned orthopaedic surgery – freeing up theatres and beds at two other hospitals in the East Kent area for trauma and cancer surgery. It forms part of a national NHS Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) pilot that aims to demonstrate that separating planned inpatient orthopaedic operations from emergency care benefits both sets of patients. Where the changes have been introduced, both in East Kent and elsewhere, waiting times have been reduced and fewer operations have been cancelled. People who have their operations in the new centre are cared for on two newly-renovated wards: Invicta and St Lawrence. The centre is designed to treat around 3,500 people a year and was officially opened by East Kent University Hospitals Foundation Trust chief executive Susan Acott at a COVID-safe ceremony also attended by Professor Tim Briggs CBE, national director of clinical improvement for the NHS.

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Professor Briggs commented: “It’s a joy to see this fantastic new orthopaedic centre open, to deliver the highest quality care and exemplar outcomes for local people. You should be very proud of what

you have done to deliver this.” Julia Blackwood, general manager for trauma and orthopaedics, said the team was looking forward to being able to help even more patients. She said: “Everyone on the team is extremely excited that the centre is now open as they can all see the real benefits that it will bring. I’d like to thank all of the staff involved in getting us to this point.” The main contractor on the project was Cheshire-based MTX, who specialise in modern methods of construction (MMCs). Before they could begin construction on the four new orthopaedic operating theatres, MTX had to construct a new medical physics building and carry out asbestos removal and the demolition of an existing office block. They also carried out the

refurbishment of a day-care surgery department. The new theatre complex links directly into the hospital’s current ward department and is in close proximity to the recently completed day-care surgery. A dedicated top-floor plant room was created to support the whole scheme. The first patient to undergo a procedure in one of the brand-new theatres was mum and grandmother Maureen Andrews, 69, who had surgery to relieve pressure on nerves in her spine. Mrs Andrews said: “I felt really honoured to be the first ever patient in the new centre. I felt a bit like royalty; everyone was so lovely and welcoming and it was very safe and clean.” q

MMC specialist lands more NHS contracts [

MAIN CONTRACTOR MTX – a specialist in the use of MMCs in healthcare settings – has recently been instrumental in the delivery of a succession of NHS projects. Following the opening of the new theatres at Kent and Canterbury, they marked the completion of a project at Hillingdon Hospital. The three-storey, 2,400m2 unit creates 70 new bed spaces across three wards, together with four private rooms, a nurse base, offices, interview room and clinical stores. It is linked to the adjacent two-storey Nightingale Centre, which houses the endoscopy department and the acute medical unit. The project was delivered using MTX's fast-track construction methods. The modular build reduced build time by 50% and wastage by up to 60%, while still delivering high quality standards. David Hartley, managing director of MTX, said: “Utilising modern methods of construction, the hospital has been able to reap the advantages of its extension much quicker and with less disruption to healthcare services than with on-site traditional building methods. Seeing the projects come to life and hearing the incredible feedback from the end users makes the hard work of the whole team so worthwhile.”

Report forecasts continuing growth in primary care refurbishment [

MTX is now celebrating another project win, this time at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHS Foundation Trust. The brand-new two-storey building will house the hospital’s endoscopy facility. Preparatory groundwork is underway and it is due to open to patients next spring, subject to planning permission. It is MTX’s second project with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, having previously delivered an A&E extension and additional office space. Nichola Hunter, associate director of estates and facilities at the trust, commented: “We’re pleased to be working with MTX on a new state-of-the-art endoscopy unit. It is one of a number of important projects underway as we invest in modernising our hospital to further improve the experience of our patients, their families and staff.” q

ONE OF the major – and growing – forces in the healthcare market is the communitybased primary care sector: and a report into the healthcare construction market sees that trend as continuing. The Healthcare Construction Market Report – UK 2021-2025, published by AMA Research, points to an on-going shift from hospital-based provision to a more communitybased model. Ozge Celik Russell, research manager at AMA Research and report editor, explained: “In the NHS, the shift of focus away from hospital-based provision towards a community-based model of care continues. This transforms primary care services in line with the NHS Five Year Forward View and the NHS Long Term Plan which creates opportunities for smaller value projects to provide extensions, reorganisation and refurbishment of existing primary care facilities.” The research found that between 2016 and Q3 2021, in terms of the type of contracts awarded, public hospitals accounted for the largest share, followed by surgeries, health and medical centres. In 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, contract awards for all types of healthcare facilities declined over the previous year's levels. In 2020, contract awards for private hospitals, surgeries, health and medical centres and veterinary surgeries and hospitals increased significantly while the value of contract awards for public hospitals remained stable. Contract awards in the first three quarters of this year suggest that it will be a strong year in healthcare, specifically in terms of public hospitals and hospices, nursing and psychiatric homes. Going forward, output from public hospitals and surgeries, health and medical centres will continue to dominate the total construction output in the healthcare sector. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Peterborough’s latest social care offering officially opens

[NOVEMBER SAW THE official opening

of Castor Lodge Care Home in Peterborough. Guests of honour at the opening were local MP Shailesh Vara and the Mayor of Peterborough, Cllr Stephen Lane. Together with Abdul Kachra, chairman of care home owners and operators Country Court, they cut the ribbon and declared the home officially open. Shailesh Vara MP commented: “Castor Lodge is a lovely new care home. I was impressed with the facilities available, which cater for accommodation as well as residential and social needs. “Much thought has gone into the design and set up of the care home and it will be a valuable addition for the local area and community. “I am also very pleased that it will help the local economy with the creation of 60 new jobs.” Castor Lodge Care Home is in the picturesque village of Castor, close to the centre of

Peterborough. Designed and built by Country Court’s sister company Lynx Construction – a dedicated construction firm that builds the company’s burgeoning portfolio of homes – Castor Lodge is built on part of a disused sports and leisure centre originally built for employees of the now-defunct Pearl Assurance Company. The sports pitches next to the site will continue to be used by local groups, providing a crucial link between the home and the community. Employer’s agent and cost management services were provided by Edward Cooper Young, a chartered surveying practice which operates a dedicated care home consultancy service. Co-CEO of Country Court Al-Karim Kachra said: “We are very proud of our latest care home and thank everyone involved in the development and opening. It was wonderful to meet so many people from the village and receive such positive feedback. As a family-run

company, we look forward to Castor Lodge becoming an integral part of the community in Castor, providing the kind of care we’d want all of our loved ones to receive.” Castor Lodge Care Home will provide a warm welcome for residents and visitors alike as soon as they set foot through the door. Specialising in residential care, dementia care and short-term respite care, Castor Lodge will be home for up to 68 people. The care home is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to cater for a variety of care needs. With a community feel, the home's village street will provide a lively heart of the home, featuring an arts and crafts space, ice-cream parlour and seating areas. People will want to meet there to socialise and relax with friends. Communal areas will be bright, spacious and inviting. Country Court’s care homes are designed to be exactly that – a home. The stunning facilities

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provide a luxury lifestyle, enabling people to live as they would normally, with the added pleasure of having company – and no chores! Castor Lodge also features six spacious top-floor suites, offering independence and luxury living with the benefit of 24-hour care on hand. At the grand opening visitors enjoyed a tour of the home and were wowed by the state-ofthe-art facilities which include generous en suite bedrooms with walk-in showers, an assisted bathroom on each floor, luxurious hair salon, cinema room, ice-cream parlour, dedicated activity room and even its very own pub, The Cricketer’s Arms. The beautifully landscaped gardens set in the stunning surroundings of the Nene Valley give

plenty of opportunities to encourage people to enjoy the outdoor areas, too. The care staff team at Castor Lodge is led by Nogi John, one of Country Court's most experienced home managers. Nogi has previously managed Country Court Nursing Homes in Boston and Spalding. She has been recognised for her outstanding care with a 'Care Leadership' award at the 2018 Lincolnshire Care Association Care Awards. The home will also have dedicated activity and wellbeing champions, who will get to know residents individually. There will be a range of meaningful activities for residents to enjoy every day, either in a group as a sociable activity or on a one-to-one basis. Local

community groups will be encouraged to visit residents, join in with activities and host their own events, making the home an important part of the local community. From reminiscing and games to light exercise, crafts, gardening or singing, there will always be something going on. Castor Lodge is the 34th care home for the Country Court group, a family-owned and run business founded in 1983, with the philosophy ‘Our family caring for yours’. Country Court has won numerous Great British Care Awards. In 2015 the company won the Health Investor Residential Care Provider of the Year award and is in the carehome.co.uk Top 25 Large Care Home Groups 2019. q

In a COVID world, cleanliness is indeed next to Godliness [ ONE OF THE KEY CONSIDERATIONS of the health and

social care sectors is their reliance on the highest levels of cleanliness – and hence the need for effective laundry solutions, to keep patients, residents and staff safe. That is a requirement taken extremely seriously at MAG Laundry Equipment. Their technologically-advanced machines have pre-set features to minimise the spread of viruses and infections through the laundry system, ensuring that bedding, gowns and other items are fully sanitised once washed. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic MAG have prepared helpful advice on how care homes can minimise the spread of coronavirus through the laundry process. It includes increasing temperatures for short periods in both the washing and drying cycles – advice that seems at first sight to go against environmental norms. Apart from offering peace of mind to healthcare facilities, MAG are on hand 365-days-a-year to assist customers should a breakdown occur. In addition, their laundry equipment can save up to 60% on energy costs and they also offer a range of leasing and rental options. With its hospital laundry systems meeting all industry standards, MAG Laundry Equipment is the perfect laundry partner for a busy healthcare setting, such as hospitals, care and nursing homes. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Top team create latest in social care in Berkshire [A MARKWORTHY PARTNERSHIP between

developer, contractor and operator has led to the creation of the latest care home in Crowthorne, near Bracknell in Berkshire. Buckler’s Lodge is a prestigious 80-bed care home that will welcome new residents from January. The home has been built on behalf of Halebourne Care Group by Dalton Homes North East. It will be operated by Greensleeves Care, the acclaimed care charity based in London. Set in over two acres of grounds surrounded by unspoilt countryside and forest, Buckler’s Lodge will offer residential and dementia care and benefits from a range of outstanding facilities. Designed to an exceptionally high standard, the home has incorporated the beautiful surroundings with wrap-around balconies taking in the stunning views. Interiors ‘bring the outside in’ and offer a bistro, private dining room, beauty salon, cinema and a choice of dining rooms and lounges to enjoy. Each room is fully furnished with en suite wet room and benefits from state-of-the-art acoustic monitoring and dementia friendly signage to offer additional support. The facility has been developed by Halebourne Care Group, which has an enviable track record in sourcing and developing care homes throughout the country. Its dedicated team ensure that each and every one of their care homes meets the needs of both the operator and residents, and

Crane’s dismantling heralds contract completion

[ THE CONSTRUCTION of Buckler’s

Lodge care home involved the operation of a 55m-high tower crane. In preparation for the finishing of the project, contractors Dalton Homes North East oversaw the dismantling and removal of the tower crane – employing an equally impressive mobile crane. Commenting on the removal job, Dalton Homes NE commented: “Thanks to Falcon Crane Hire Ltd for a precision procedure, all completed within a day without a hitch!” q

are designed to the highest degree. They ensure the elevations are sympathetically designed with external materials that blend naturally with the local surroundings while ensuring the outside areas are designed to provide a good balance of accessible pathways, soft landscaping, sensory gardens, potting sheds and water features. Every Halebourne Group home typically comprises full en suite bedrooms, finished with contemporary furnishings. Communal facilities comprise a bistro, hair salon, activities room, cinema and private dining, passenger lifts serving all floors and state-of-the-art kitchens and laundries. The facility at Buckler’s Lodge will be operated by Greensleeves Care – an award-winning charity with more than 25 homes throughout England. Their aim is to provide the best possible care and support to those who live in their homes. q

Information suite is officially opened ahead of home’s operation [IN PREPARATION FOR the opening

of the new facility at Buckler’s Lodge, operators Greensleeves Care invited the Mayor of Bracknell Forest, The Worshipful Cllr Ash Merry, to officially open its Information and Recruitment Suite there on 26 November. The suite is open to the public should they wish to see the home and discuss care options or careers: the home will offer over 100 jobs to the local community and beyond. The Mayor visited the home, accompanied by Mayoress Cllr Isabel Mattick, and did the honours of cutting the ceremonial ribbon indicating the opening of the Information and Recruitment Suite. Cllr Merry commented: “It’s such a pleasure to come here today and to open the Information and Recruitment Suite here at Buckler’s Lodge. I think it’s a matter very close to my Mayoress, Isabel’s heart and mine: we both have close family who had dementia. “This is such a fantastic facility for families and the people who will be residents here, and not to forget that it will provide great opportunities for 100 people locally to find employment and to really forge a career in such an important sector as care.” Buckler’s Lodge intends to become a pillar of the local community, extending the hand of friendship and creating lasting relationships with local schools, businesses and individuals. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

Reading the signs can be a matter of life or death [

BEFORE YOU EVEN ENTER a building site, you are reminded of the hazardous nature of the working environment by the series of health and safety warning and information signs displayed on the hoarding at all site entrances. As health and safety management consultancy HASPOD point out: “Construction site safety signs are displayed to deliver a clear health and safety message. Failing to understand the meaning of a health and safety sign on site might mean you lose your life – or your job.” The Health and Safety Executive explains the legal requirement for safety signs in all industries. “Employers must provide safety signs if there is a significant risk that can't be avoided or controlled in any other way, such as through safe systems of work or engineering controls. There is no need to provide safety signs if they don't help reduce the risk or if the risk isn't significant. This applies to all places and activities where people are employed.” Employers must, where necessary: • Use road trafﬁc signs in workplaces to regulate • road traffic • Maintain the safety signs they provide • Explain unfamiliar signs to their employees and tell them what they • need to do when they see safety signs

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In the context of construction sites, the regulations governing the provision of safety signs are the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations (CDM 2015): the main set of regulations

for managing the health, safety and welfare of construction projects. CDM applies to all building and construction work and includes new build, demolition, refurbishment, extensions, conversions, repair and maintenance. The trade association representing manufacturers and suppliers of safety signs is the Heath & Safety Sign Association (HSSA). The association was formed with the purpose of educating the nation on signage legislation, in order to improve health and safety for everyone. With members from some of the largest signage companies in the country, the HSSA keep up to date with any legislative changes that may happen within the UK. As it states in its Mission Statement: “Not only do the HSSA aim to keep you clued up on the legislative side of signage, they also ensure that all of their own signage conforms to the required standards. This means you can rest assured, knowing your signage will be compliant.” Uniformity of signage and the pictograms used is ensured by conformity with the International Building Code (IBC), which is the foundation of the complete ‘Family of International Codes’. It is an essential tool to preserve public health and safety that provides safeguards from hazards associated with the built environment. It addresses design and installation of innovative materials that meet or exceed public health and safety goals. In addition to the familiar ‘wall’ of signs at site entrances, specific signs are displayed at strategic points around the site. The colours are coded to represent different types of information. Again, as HASPOD points out: “Construction site safety signs are not put up for decoration, and the colours haven't been chosen because they look pretty. Each sign has a meaning, and each colour represents a different message. Knowing what construction health and safety signs mean is important because they could be warning you about a danger, or telling you to do something. And if you don't

understand the sign, and fail to follow the message, you could get hurt, or worse.” The different types of sign and the type of information they convey is available on the HSSA website at hssa.co.uk. q

With hoardings the medium has become the message [THE ABILITY OF a perimeter hoarding to draw people’s attention

has been taken up in recent years by both site owners and contractors to promote themselves and their activities. The hoarding has become an advertising billboard in some cases and a work of art promoting the function the new building will fulfill in others. The use of hoardings as art is not new: it dates back to the 1970s with installations by artists such as Rochdale-based Walter Kershaw and his collaborators – latterly known as ‘the original Banksie’ – on sites such as the rebuilding of the burnt-down market building in Bury as a transport interchange, the development of the Kelloggs building in Trafford Park and BNFL’s site in Cumbria. From pure works of art the site hoarding has evolved into full ‘landscapes’, filling in the gap in the environment with an artistic interpretation of what is to come. Embedded in the work of art is the important information on what is to be encountered inside the site. q

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Construction Site Signage Construction site signage must be thick, tough, durable and long-lasting. Edinburgh Banners produces the strongest advertising around. Manufactured with longevity in mind, our signage is storm-resistant and eye-catching. We ensure that every bit of the advertising boards we create is as tough as the nails and dirt hitting it. All signage is either printed onto thick reinforced PVC or direct to aluminium with a protective laminate. In addition, we offer double-sided printing and on-site installation. You can choose any construction site signage – from lamp post banners to 50m long hoarding – and feel confident they won’t ever show a scratch.

PRINTED HOARDING

SHIPPING CONTAINER PRINTS

LAMP POST BOARDS

BUILDING WRAPS

Call Us Today! 0131 463 6111 E: info@edinburghbanners.co.uk W: www.edinburghbanners.co.uk Edinburgh Banners, Unit 69, Peffer Place, Edinburgh EH16 4BB

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Printed Scaffold Banners Printed scaffold banners are an ideal way to advertise your roofing company, construction company or new business development. Scaffold banners can be the cheapest way to advertise and promote your business directly to the consumer. Our banners are made of a heavy-duty blockout PVC that is durable even when exposed to high winds, dirt, dust and all manner of damage. We offer a large range of standard banners and custom banner sizes are available upon request. In addition, we accept any designs – custom made by yourself or designed by our professional team. At Edinburgh Banners, we care highly about the quality of your printed scaffold banners. We print all our banners using only the very best tools and materials so they look better and last longer. Unlike some competitors, we print using exclusively premium solvent and eco-solvent inks. These inks give the banners a more vibrant colour and last longer when exposed to UV, ensuring that your prints will look brilliant in all weather conditions – sunshine, overcast or rain.

Call Us Today! 0131 463 6111 E: info@edinburghbanners.co.uk W: www.edinburghbanners.co.uk Edinburgh Banners, Unit 69, Peffer Place, Edinburgh EH16 4BB www.constructionnational.co.uk

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Creative signage can allow your site to speak for itself [ SPECIALISING IN all things visual across multiple channels,

The Creative Place is a large format print and production company situated just 30 minutes outside Central London. Their production facility houses direct-to-media printing up to 3.2m wide, with CNC and hand finishing departments, complemented by a fully-certified installation team. Within the facility they have an in-house studio, delivering a complete end-to-end solution for all graphics needs. That may be anything from defining a business identity and creating or refreshing a brand, to producing and installing eye-catching hoardings on the latest development to maximise that all-important advertising space. With over 20 years’ experience in the print and graphics industry, and as a member of the International Sign Association, The Creative Place have extensive knowledge in a variety of sectors, from museums to construction sites, and can guide the client through the process of any signage production – be it site safety or visitor wayfinding – ensuring a seamless delivery from initial site measurement to installation, both indoor and out. A recent project involved the delivery of a hoarding graphics project within a shopping centre redevelopment. A crew of four from the firm’s installation team worked out of hours across a week to fit the graphics, including some reaching drops of up to eight metres on the first floor using powered access equipment. Visits had to be co-ordinated with the main contractor to avoid impacting on their production schedule, as well as minimising any impact on the general public. The fully trained team are CSCS, IPAF and PASMA certified to carry out full site surveys, complete any necessary RAMS and install graphic signage, providing their own safety barriers and protective equipment as required.

With free reign on the concept, the brief required them to create an engaging visual space to brighten the area during development, with visually interesting hoardings to protect the empty shop fronts. The space is a covered plaza area, so they developed a concept which brought the outside in, with a seasonal twist. Taking the brief a stage further with a creative element can make the difference in the success of a project, as perfectly illustrated in that case. Where hoardings can sometimes be either unimaginative or a simple advertising space, the artwork on the mall hoardings resulted in them being more of an art installation, and a definite talking point in their own right among visitors to the centre. Project director Paul Davies commented: “A combination of freehand illustration with photographic imagery and bold impactful colours made them truly Instagram worthy, whilst the inclusion of interactive photo opportunity areas brought the backdrops to life. The seamless quality and finish of the installation resulted in no reported attempts of vandalism, which is always a good measurable in the success of hoarding design!” In contrast, when the company successfully tendered for the graphics element on the rejuvenation of heritage site Caernarfon Castle in Wales, they knew the challenges of working within the prestige historical site required them to draw upon different experience. Having worked within heritage sites many times, including at The Royal Albert Hall, they are always mindful of a sympathetic and responsible approach to installing in a variety of environments. The brief required them to produce and apply dibond information panel graphics in dual languages to just under 200m of hoardings, as well as huge scaffold hanging banners. The castle is undergoing a vast renovation to its visitor experience, and it was important to communicate the project works to the public during the period of closure. In order to rig the banners the installation team had to scale heights of 22m to fix to the scaffold itself and avoid any damage to the building (pictured left). Mesh PVC was used to allow flexibility and movement with any wind, while remaining resistant to the elements and avoiding any fading of the imagery. “It was an honour to visit this beautiful castle and be a part of the project,” said project director Mark Church. “As the sun set over the castle it was an awe-inspiring view and there was a huge sense of pride amongst the team after what had been a challenging two-day install.” q • For any graphics and signage projects contact info@creativeplace.co.uk, call 01923 227272 or vist creativeplace.co.uk. www.constructionnational.co.uk

Kickstart Gateway passes funding milestone [

THE NASC has now paid more than £500,000 to its members through its Gateway Kickstart Scheme. The funding, drawn down from the Department for Work and Pensions, has been passed on to 32 NASC members across the UK. Between them, they have taken on 135 apprentices on six-month placements. To date, 25 apprentices have finished their Kickstart placements and many of them have subsequently been given full-time positions by their employers. Henry Annafi, NASC training officer, said: “We’re thrilled to have reached this Kickstart payment milestone. Everyone’s benefiting through the NASC Gateway; young people are being given paid work experience in the scaffolding industry and member companies are able to bring enthusiastic new recruits into their businesses. “The numbers are all pleasing to see but the one that’s most encouraging to me is the 25 apprentices who have completed their placements so far. To my knowledge, practically all of these apprentices have been retained and are well on their way to building their skills through the CISRS training programme. “At a time when members are particularly focused on recruitment, the Kickstart Scheme provides a welcome opportunity to bring new blood into the business.” q

Compliance sheet milestone reached [ MORE THAN 50,000 TG20:21 scaffolding compliance sheets

have been downloaded since the software was launched earlier this year, new data has revealed. Download statistics show users of the expanded and updated software have generated 50,757 compliance sheets since Monday 12 April.

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Independent scaffolds have been the most popular, with 33,861 downloads (61% of the total), followed by tied tower scaffolds (4,300), internal birdcages (3,821) and loading bays (2,811). The stats also show that on average more than 5,000 compliance sheets have been downloaded every month and that the monthly total has grown month-on-month since August, growing to 9,000 in November. Robin James, NASC managing director, said: “It’s great to see that use of TG20:21 has not only remained strong but is also growing steadily. The spread of scaffold types being generated also shows that the new features of the software have been well received. “Moving from TG20:13 to TG20:21 has been a huge undertaking, particularly given that the software is now accessible via the NASC ePortal and available on an annual subscription basis. I’d like to thank everyone involved in launching TG20:21 for ensuring the transition has been so smooth.” q

IPAF’s members enjoy a welcome return to in-person events [AROUND 100 PEOPLE attended the

conference, networking event and gala dinner at the third IPAF Elevation, the UK member event of the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF). The event took place at the Whittlebury Park Hotel, Northants, on 18 November. The conference themes were sustainability, effective use of powered access and engaging with contractors across the supply chain to work more safely and effectively. After an introduction from conference host Craig Rooke, managing director of CTE UK – who also celebrated his own 21st anniversary in powered access – IPAF CEO and MD Peter Douglas gave a brief update from the federation, including developments such as a new Site Assessment course, the IPAF roadmap to qualified MEWP technician/engineer status, and IPAF’s own drive towards greater sustainability – not least by moving away from using plastic and paper to produce the PAL Card and instead promoting the digital version via the new ePAL mobile app for operators. The new Safety Professional membership category is also proving popular, he reported, with 30 members now joined or in the process of signing up. Martin Hall, safety, health and environment

director at Morgan Sindall Construction, presented Trials & Tribulations – The Principal Contractor’s View. Addressing the room of assembled IPAF members and staff, he said: “If it wasn’t for the work that you guys do, as part of IPAF, we’d still be 20 years behind in terms of powered access safety on sites.” He talked about changing demands from the industry and modern construction techniques, the propensity for ‘machine abuse’ among untrained construction workers and shared some eye-opening stats about the impact force of objects dropped and falling from height. Dr James Cadman, head of consultancy and carbon at Action Sustainability at The Supply Chain School, talked about his organisation and what it does: a free resource and collaboration network to help member companies and partner organisations understand how to do things more sustainably, not just in terms of emissions, environment and resources, but also in terms of people, social and community elements. The second half of the conference saw Richard Whiting, IPAF’s UK market general manager, give a UK Market Sizing report – effectively an overview or snapshot of the powered access

market in the UK, focusing specifically on traditional MEWPs (over 3m) and low-level access machines. The report is published in line with the event and free to download, with headlines being that the UK market is building back well after the pandemic. The report also estimated that the share of the UK market that are IPAF members stands at around 82%. Scott McCall, net zero specialist at Snorkel, considered how a move to greener solutions has influenced products, including things like measuring scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, explaining or verifying your own carbon efficiency for other members of your supply chain, and the often overlooked measure of ‘embedded carbon’ – whereby a machine may be zero-emissions, but if it is created in and shipped from a carbon-emitting country, that must be taken into account. In addition to the afternoon conference, those attending enjoyed a networking reception and dinner with entertainment from comedian and actor Ted Robbins, best known for his roles in Phoenix Nights, Benidorm and Coronation Street. During the evening almost £2,000 was raised through donations and a charity auction for the No Falls Foundation. q

NASC’S COVID-19 crisis comms efforts recognised [

THE NASC has been shortlisted in the Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards’ Crisis Management (COVID-19 Member Support) category. The category recognises trade associations that moved quickly and effectively to safeguard and support their members and/or the wider sector the association represents throughout the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic. The NASC’s entry focuses on the various ways in which the confederation attempted to keep scaffolding industry businesses up-to-date and informed, including the creation and distribution of daily COVID-19 e-bulletins, the establishment of a dedicated coronavirus news section of its website, and the production and dissemination of free to download Guidance for Scaffolding Operations During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic and an associated Toolbox Talk. NASC managing director Robin James said: “We are delighted to have been named as a finalist in this category. During the first few months of the pandemic there was a lot of often complex information being announced and implemented by Government on an almost daily basis. “The NASC team worked tirelessly to communicate this information to members and the scaffolding industry at large in a clear and effective way,

enabling businesses to make important commercial decisions with confidence. The team also worked proactively to support the scaffolding industry, producing its Guidance for Scaffolding Operations During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic and Toolbox Talk of the same name, and regularly reviewing and updating these resources as Government guidance changed. “Beyond that, efforts were made to call each and every NASC contractor member to gain a better understanding of the challenges they were facing, offer any assistance and ensure they were aware of the various short-term support streams offered by the Government as well as the new NASC Operational Guidance. “As the trade body for access and scaffolding in the UK, keeping members and indeed non-members informed of ever-changing rules and Government support schemes during the COVID-19 pandemic was of paramount importance to us. I am delighted with how my team stepped up for the scaffolding industry during this unprecedented and extremely challenging period.” The Trade Association Best Practice Awards 2022 will take place in London on Thursday 17th February 2022. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

CISRS Scaffolder Scheme subsidises stakeholders [ THE Construction Industry

Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) has exceeded its 2021 funding pledge by running three programmes of subsidised CPD courses across the UK during the year. Through partnering with a number of CISRS approved providers, courses were offered for only £50 per delegate rather than the usual cost of around £350. The cost of the CISRS card (£30) was also met by CISRS for all those attending. Fifty four funded training courses were delivered, attended by more than 500 individuals, at a cost of £500,000 to CISRS. CISRS managing director Dave Mosley said: “We have run a number of subsidised courses every year since the introduction of CPD, however with delivery being seriously hampered in 2020 by COVID-19 we decided to make up for it in 2021. “The three programmes have been a huge success. With the support of the training providers, we managed to make this offer available to

employers and individuals right across the UK, as far afield as Aberdeen, Belfast, Swansea and Plymouth with lots of other locations in between.” The requirement for CISRS scaffolders to attend a two-day CPD refresher course prior to renewing their card was introduced to the scheme in July 2017. As with a lot of industry changes, CPD was initially met with reluctance by some within the sector, however many supported it feeling that it is essential to ensure that those holding cards are kept up to date. This stance is now being mirrored by a lot of other trades who are introducing or being pressured by clients to introduce CPD into their competency schemes. The first five-year CPD cycle will conclude in 2022. CISRS is currently reviewing the course content in order to launch CISRS CPD Phase 2 in the summer. q

New CISRS provision in the North West [

CISRS HAS CARRIED OUT a successful accreditation audit with a new training provider, Richmond Bright, at their facility in Birkenhead. The centre is situated alongside the River Mersey with the spectacular Liverpool Waterfront opposite. The training facilities are modern, welcoming and convey a friendly and professional environment in which to deliver CISRS courses. The centre has gained accreditation to deliver CISRS COTS, Basic Scaffold Inspection, Supervisor and Scaffold Awareness courses. Level 2 and Level 3 NVQ in Accessing Operations and Rigging is also offered by the centre. During the visit, CISRS auditor Trevor Donoghue observed a group of scaffolding operatives take the first step in their scaffolding careers by attending the CISRS COTS course delivered by director and scaffold instructor Steve Odger. Steve, who has been in the scaffolding industry for 40 years, said: “Adding scaffolding training to Richmond Bright’s suite of courses and becoming an accredited CISRS Scaffolding Training Centre has been a goal of ours from the first discussions on what Richmond Bright could offer the construction sector, and in particular the scaffolding and access industry. “This is the first step in our plans for CISRS scaffolding training and we look forward to progressing those plans in the future and working with CISRS to provide a quality, reliable, responsive training experience for the access sector.” Trevor Donoghue added: “Steve has gained a lot of experience of the CISRS programmes over the years as an instructor, a member of ASITO and in particular his role on the CISRS Standardisation Working Party. We wish him and Richmond Bright every success with this new venture.” q

www.constructionnational.co.uk

Fatal accident prompts uplift of anti-‘DIY tower’ campaign [

THE TRADE BODY representing the prefabricated access tower industry, PASMA, has stepped up its campaign to outlaw so-called ‘DIY towers’ – in the wake of the tragic deaths of two men in an accident in Scotland. According to PASMA, the men were reportedly carrying out maintenance work on a church – as volunteers – when the structure toppled. Both men were 77 years old. In a statement, PASMA said: “This has hit us all hard here at PASMA. It's a deeply sad and shocking thing to happen. It's even more distressing because, while we don't know the exact cause or circumstances of this accident, photos taken at the scene show a type of tower that is not safe to use, ever, in any situation. “They're sometimes sold as 'DIY towers', a term that misleads unsuspecting members of the public into believing it's a recommended product for a quick bit of painting or maintenance. The truth is these are flimsy, dangerous towers that are not recommended by anyone, for any purpose – at least, not by anyone who cares about the safety of the people using them. “Irresponsible manufacturers, importers and suppliers choose to cut costs by offering a tower that doesn't comply with any recognised standard, so they can leave out essential components and basic safety features that prevent towers toppling or people falling.” PASMA believes that calling it a 'DIY tower' is a ruse to convince buyers they're getting a no-frills bargain. But stabilisers, guardrails, secure platforms and a safe means of access are essential. “We're angry that non-compliant 'DIY towers' are still being sold and

hired in the UK and we will be redoubling our efforts to campaign against them,” said PASMA. “In the meantime, please don't get caught out.” The association has published guidance on how individuals and small businesses that buy or hire towers can ensure they are safe for small jobs. It can be accessed at pasma.co.uk. q

Worker injured while working at height [

A HOUSING COMPANY has been sentenced after an agency worker suffered serious injuries in a ladder fall. Teesside Magistrates’ Court heard that, on 8 November 2017, the worker was carrying out work at height from a ladder, removing beading from an external first floor window on a residential home. The worker fell a distance of three metres, suffering serious injuries including four fractured vertebrae. A HSE investigation found that the housing company had failed to properly plan, supervise and carry out external work at height. Thirteen Housing Group of Stockton-on-Tees pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4 (1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The company was fined £50,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,327. Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Ashfaq Ali said: “This incident could have been prevented had the company properly planned the work at height. This would have included the use of reasonably practicable measures such as mobile tower scaffolds, which were introduced for similar work following the incident.” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

www.constructionnational.co.uk

Construction round table brings C&G year to a close [IN DECEMBER City & Guilds drew its series of employer

round tables to a close for the year by catching up with employers and panel experts in the construction industry. The experts and organisations in attendance were those who have pledged their commitment to finding innovative solutions to the challenges faced by apprentices battling to enter the construction industry. The virtual round table event was hosted by City & Guilds’ industry manager for construction, Naz Lewis-Humphrey and Joe Bell, the organisation’s adult skills and employment partnership manager. The handpicked panellists were invited to offer insights on the changing needs of the sector and in particular the need for new approaches to recruiting new talent. Contributors included Andy Rayner, the head of apprenticeships and early careers at the Travis Perkins Group and Jenny La Rocque, head of employer services for Central and West London at Ingeus UK Ltd. Speaking of the new City & Guilds course, Ready for Construction, Joe Bell commented: “We’re hoping to be able to work with employers to bust some of the myths about working in construction and to emphasise the opportunities that exist within the sector, including supply chain and administrative roles.”

Addressing the crippling skills shortage in construction According to a study of the UK construction skills shortage published by CITB in June, the sector will need 217,000 new workers by 2025. That equates to over 50,000 new construction

workers per year: currently the industry is seeing only 30,000 per year. According to City & Guilds, the on-going skills shrinkage can be attributed to a number of factors, including an ageing workforce, skilled workers returning to the EU following BREXIT and workers exiting the sector after furlough. Andy Rayner commented on the difficulties that employers experience in recruiting and retaining new talent. He said: “We have two key challenges. How do we modernise the industry, and how do we make it attractive? In the first case, what I learned about construction when I was an apprentice is no longer applicable today. We have to modernise the way we build in the UK, which may automatically address the second challenge – by attracting new workers who are skilled in technology, digitisation and green building.” According to Jenny La Rocque, wage rates are part of the problem. She said: “We don’t have many young people showing interest in construction. Those who are interested in these apprenticeships are typically 28 years and older. Many already have financial commitments or families, and the national living wage just isn’t feasible for them.” Andy Rayner concluded: “A key lesson here is that if we really want to make a difference and bring young and diverse people into the sector, we have to collaborate. We need the collateral in vacancies to make it work. At Travis Perkins, we’re seeking opportunities to collaborate with other organisations to make construction attractive – we want to think bigger than just our own reach. Together we can make a difference, but individually, it's very hard.” q

Esholt Hall redevelopment provides ‘real world experience’ for Bradford College joinery students

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YORKSHIRE WATER has joined forces with Bradford College to provide an opportunity for joinery students to gain experience working on Grade Two-listed Esholt Hall. The building is undergoing a major redevelopment as part of Yorkshire Water’s aim to create a flagship Centre of Excellence for learning and wellbeing. Level 1 Carpentry and Joinery students aged between 16 and 19 have been working on a variety of projects at the hall, including designing and installing a large decking area on an piece of disused land, which will provide an outdoor seating space. Peter Coddington, project lead at Yorkshire Water, said: “We are committed to making our land deliver excellence for the people of Yorkshire. In this case, the opportunity to provide some hands-on experience for young people in the community was one we jumped at. “The work done by the students from Bradford College has been excellent and we hope the chance to work on Esholt Hall has helped

improve their skills. We’re looking forward to working together in the future as we continue to construct our Centre of Excellence.” James Haigh, lecturer in carpentry and joinery at Bradford College, said: “Our students have gone above and beyond expectations in required ability and dedication to the task, and they have adapted to a ‘real world’ construction job exceptionally well. “It has given them a sample of real-life work experience, which is something we really wanted to offer our students. The consensus is overwhelmingly that they have really enjoyed being a part of it. Their attitude, application, timekeeping and work ethic has been inspirational at this level and age. “Moving forward and looking into the future we will be hoping to secure a long lasting partnership with Yorkshire Water on this particular site, enabling Bradford College to give students at all levels the opportunity for this in-depth work experience on a heritage building and estate.” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

Construction training courses and/or apprenticeships are available at the following colleges: Abingdon & Witney College

Tel: 01235 541 111 E: apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk W: www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk 126 Churchill Road, Bicester OX26 4XD

Greater Brighton Metropolitan College

Tel: 01273 667788 E: admissions@gbmc.ac.uk W: www.gbmc.ac.uk Central Brighton Campus Pelham Street, Brighton BN1 4FA

Bath College T: 01225 312 191

W: www.bathcollege.ac.uk E: apprenticeships@bathcollege.ac.uk

City Centre Campus, Avon Street, Bath BA1 1UP Somer Valley Campus, Wells Road, Radstock BA3 3RW

Bradford College

Kirklees College

Great Horton Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7 1AY

Brunel Construction Centre, Old Fieldhouse Ln, Leeds Rd, Huddersfield HD2 1AG

Bridgwater & Taunton College

Leeds College of Building

Bath Road, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 4PZ

North Street, Leeds LS2 7QT

City College Southampton

Accrington and Rossendale College Nelson & Colne College Group

Tel: 01274 088088 E: information@bradfordcollege.ac.uk W: www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk

Tel: 01484 437000 E: info@kirkleescollege.ac.uk W: www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk

T: 01278 655111 E: business@btc.ac.uk W: www.btc.ac.uk

T: 0113 222 6041 E: info@lcb.ac.uk W: www.lcb.ac.uk

Tel: 023 8048 4848 E: enquiries@southampton-city.ac.uk W: www.southampton-city.ac.uk

T: 01282 440319 E: apprenticeships@nelsongroup.ac.uk W: www.accross.ac.uk and www.nelsongroup.ac.uk

St Mary Street, Southampton SO14 1AR

Accrington and Rossendale College, Sandy Lane, Accrington BB5 2AR

T: 0330 135 9000

CCG Training Apprenticeships ccgtraining.ac.uk

E: info@ncclondon.ac.uk

crawley.ac.uk 01293 442333

chichester.ac.uk 01293 812948

Dundee & Angus College

Tel: 0300 123 1036 W: www.dundeeandangus.ac.uk E: heretohelp@dundeeandangus.ac.uk

W: www.ncclondon.ac.uk Epping Forest | Hackney | Havering | Redbridge | Tower Hamlets

New College Durham

Arbroath Campus, Keptie Road, Arbroath DD11 3EA

T: 0191 375 4000 E: help@newdur.ac.uk W: www.newcollegedurham.ac.uk

Kingsway Campus, Old Glamis Road, Dundee DD3 8LE

New College Durham, Framwellgate Moor Campus, Durham DH1 5ES

Fife College

UCSA

Pittsburgh Road, Dunfermline, Fife KY11 8DY

Oaklands College, Hatfield Road Oaklands, St Albans AL4 0JA

Tel: 0344 248 0132 E: sales@fife.ac.uk W: www.fife.ac.uk

www.constructionnational.co.uk

University Campus St Albans T: 01727 737000 E: Celeste.jones@oaklands.ac.uk W: www.uc-sa.co.uk

Review will assess relevance of Scottish apprenticeships [ CONSTRUCTION APPRENTICESHIPS in Scotland are

undergoing a full review to ensure they meet the current needs of employers, employees and industry. All standards and frameworks across the sector are being reviewed and refreshed through a new employer-led approach to ensure skills and qualifications are fit-for-purpose. The sector review is part of the wider development programme of Scottish apprenticeships taking place over the next three to five years. Skills Development Scotland is actively seeking employers of all sizes and representative bodies across construction to get involved in the design and development work of the sector’s standards and frameworks. There are 11 construction-related apprenticeship frameworks to review and organisations and businesses can contribute in a number of ways throughout the process, including participation in a Technical Expert Group, employee workshops and wider consultations. Chair of the Industry Leadership Group’s Skills Group Emma Dickson said: “We welcome this new system of developing Scottish apprenticeships, which is more transparent and democratic, and makes more employers and employees central to the development process. Construction is a key sector covering critical skills needed by

the Scottish economy. We have recruitment challenges to resolve and this work is an opportunity to not only meet recruitment levels, but improve diversity in our industry.” Skills Development Scotland is also engaged with learning providers including colleges and the CITB to ensure training needs are fully considered throughout the process and that there is support to adopt any new training delivery following the outcomes of the work. Grahame Barn, chief executive of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Scotland, commented: “We welcome this opportunity for civil engineering contractors to play a hands-on role in shaping apprenticeships and ensuring the future workforce receives appropriate training to meet the needs of employers in our fastgrowing industry. “Civil engineers are responsible for designing, building and upgrading the infrastructure networks which underpin society and, as we get to grips with the climate crisis, the sector will be instrumental in delivering real climate action on the ground to meet Scotland’s net zero targets. Making sure we have an agile apprenticeship system which keeps up to date with the latest green skills and cutting edge technologies has always been a key priority for contractors so the industry-led review is a positive development.” q

CIOB’s student challenge opens for entries [ENTRIES HAVE OPENED for the Chartered

Institute of Building’s 8th Global Student Challenge. The annual competition challenges students in the built environment to run a virtual construction company. It is conducted via an online game which simulates the management of a construction company. After six weeks of competition the leading teams are given the opportunity to compete in finals that attract talent from around the world. The winning team will receive £2,000 in prize money. It is anticipated that the finals will be held virtually; however if COVID-19 travel restrictions

permit, the six finalist teams could be taken on an all-expenses-paid trip to Sydney to compete against each other in the finals. Last year’s champions were first-time winners

Wonders, a team of four final-year students studying for a Bachelor of Construction degree at Massey University's School of Built Environment in Auckland, New Zealand. Previous winners have included Glasgow Caledonian University, George Brown College, Toronto and Universitas Indonesia. The competition opened for entries on 9 November and will close on 18 February. Teams will then be able to access the game, followed by six rounds of competition taking place over as many weeks. Finalists will be announced in April. Teams can register on the Global Student Challenge website at gsc.ciob.org. q

Kirklees College wins Construction Apprenticeship Provider of the Year [KIRKLEES COLLEGE has been named Construction Apprenticeship Provider of the Year the AAC Apprenticeship Awards 2021. In partnership with FE Week and AELP, the awards are a celebration of excellence in apprenticeship delivery in the UK bringing together the country’s best apprentice employers, providers and sector leaders. The national accolade was awarded to Kirklees College in recognition of demonstrating best practice throughout the pandemic and providing a high-quality, industry-led training programme that allows new apprentices to step into skilled vacancies.

The event was run in partnership with VTCT, BCS the Chartered Institute for IT, OneFile, Skills and Education Group, City & Guilds and ILM. Malcolm McGinn, Head of Faculty for Construction at Kirklees College said: “We are delighted to have won the award for Construction Apprenticeship Provider of the Year. Receiving such a prestigious national award is a testament to the Construction team who have performed to the highest level to deliver outstanding training to our apprentices. We are really proud of this achievement and look forward to training the new generation of apprentices next year.” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

Energy strategy given cautious welcome by heat pump industry [ON 19 OCTOBER the government

launched its Heat and Buildings Strategy, alongside its Net Zero Strategy. The strategy sets out the government’s plan to significantly cut carbon emissions from the UK’s 30 million homes and workplaces in a simple, low-cost and green way while ensuring it remains affordable and fair for households across the country. Launching the strategy, Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “There is a global race to develop new green technology, kick-start new industries and attract private investment. The countries that capture the benefits of this global green industrial revolution will enjoy unrivalled growth and prosperity for decades to come – and it’s our job to ensure the UK is fighting fit.” The heat pump industry gave the strategy a mixed reception, but expressed a broad welcome. Phil Hurley, chair of the Heat Pump Association, wrote in a blog: “This mixed response is predictable when it comes to the publication of proposals, largely because it depends on what they’re being measured against. Those taking a relative outlook and

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considering what came before the strategy will of course perceive it as significant progress, whereas those looking at the bigger picture – the ‘absolute’ – will question whether it is enough to meet net zero, and determine that it is not. “Providing a clear sign that heat pumps are the current heating system of choice for decarbonisation, the government has indicated that the 600,000 target of deployment by 2028 per year is a minimum, regardless of any future decisions to be made on hydrogen. “It is clearer than ever that heat pumps are here to stay, with the technology being a key focus of the strategy and many of the stories that flooded the national news. This will not only provide households across the country with more knowledge of the technology that could soon be heating their homes but also instil certainty in the industry that the fossil fuel era is indeed coming to an end. Regulation is vital for instilling this confidence, and the commitment to phase out fossil fuel systems in off grid homes, where heat pumps are more cost-effective, by 2026 will be a big boost to the market.” The Ground Sourse Heat Pump Association also welcomed the recognition by government that heat pumps are the key technology to be adopted to reduce carbon emissions from heating homes and buildings. However, it believes that the Heat and Buildings Strategy risks repeating the mistakes of the past by offering limited financial help and, although the policy moves are in the right direction, they seem to be too little, too late. In a release, the association said: “The GSHPA would have preferred to see a much greater sense of urgency because bold action is needed. Currently less than 2% of UK homes have any form of low carbon heating and still over 1,600,000 gas boilers are being installed each year in the UK.” The GSHPA reminded us that the share of renewable heat in the UK is almost the lowest of any country in Europe and urged people to sign the Heat Pump Petition, which can be found on its website at www.gshp.org.uk. q

Modular projects add to NE move to MMCs

[

TWO MODULAR SCHOOL BUILDS in Northumberland have acted to drive forward the trend towards MMCs in the education sector in the North East. A £1.2m turnkey modular design-and-build project for St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy in Bedlington (above) was delivered in record time, and a second £1.2m build has completed for Bedlington West End School (below). Working alongside the project team, including East Yorkshire-based modular off-site construction specialists M-AR and Faithful+Gould, who acted as project managers, quantity surveyors and principal designer, Leedsbased Edward Architecture delivered the projects, which were secured through the CCS (Crown Commercial Services) framework. Following the demolition of an existing swimming pool building, St Benet Biscop Catholic Academy now has a new permanent modularbuilt school comprising six new classrooms with brick façade, new facilities and external landscaping. The school provides a bright, spacious and positive environment for pupils. A new modular design-and-build project for Bedlington West End School to replace a former dining hall has also been completed, delivering two new classrooms over two storeys, an assembly hall and the school kitchen. Edward Architecture’s scope of works was extensive – from the initial brief through to the design concept, planning phase, architectural planning, management role and site works. Graham Edward, managing director of Edward Architecture, said: “We are delighted to deliver two modular design-and-build schools in the North East alongside our project partners. St Benet Biscop School has truly has been a quick turnaround project, testament to the beauty of modular build

which is both cost-effective and delivers fast, quality construction with minimal disruption. “Gone are the days of ugly pre-fab huts; there is now a growing trend for schools which favour cost-effective, modern modular-built educational space which provides light and airy classrooms to support learning and can also be moved to support changing future school populations.” Wayne Yeomans, head of sales and marketing at M-AR, commented: “These projects have been delivered in record time from the tender award. It highlights the close partnership between the project stakeholders to overcome logistics and the need for an accelerated design process in such a challenging pandemic climate. We are delighted to be part of the team that delivered these projects to create fantastic, fresh learning environments for the schoolchildren.” q

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Twin industries come together to combat theft threat [ORGANISATIONS AND COMPANIES involved in combatting theft in the

construction and agricultural industries have come together to form the notfor-profit Combined Industries Theft Solutions (CITS) forum. The forum’s sole purpose is to reduce the effects of crime on both the construction industry and the farming communities. That is done by understanding the latest criminal trends, by forging partnerships with the Home Office, police and other interested businesses, creating prevention strategies, designing out the crime and promoting best practice across the UK. In its mission statement the CITS says: “Inherent in stopping crime is the ability to understand the vulnerabilities that criminals will use to exploit to

their advantage. Intelligence is key and CITS members can protect themselves by learning of the latest methods that criminals are utilising.” CITS members are all highly-experienced personnel drawn from industry. Representatives from the Home Office, UK police, construction and utility firms, contractors, machinery manufacturers, the insurance industry – including the Thatcham Research Centre – specialist plant hire companies and their trade associations, and the security industry are all CITS members. Aside from an annual conference highlighting the latest strategies in crime prevention, CITS also holds regular workshops focusing on key threats affecting the two sectors. q

CESAR protection is now available for power tools

[A GREAT DEAL of attention has

been given to the CESAR registration system designed to prevent and detect theft of plant from construction sites – including in this publication. The triangular CESAR registration plate has become an industry-standard identification mark, with support from local authorities, leading contractors, hire companies, the police, insurers and finance companies. Now, following the success of the scheme, CESAR’s latest innovation aims to protect smaller items with the same Datatag technologies. Theft of handheld power tools is an enormous issue for the construction industry and one which costs businesses many times more than the loss of the tool. To combat theft and aid recovery, the new MicroCESAR scheme combines state-of-the-art Datatag ID technology and overt and covert deterrents with a low one-off cost to protect a tool for life and a secure and accredited dedicated 24/7 UK-secure contact centre. q

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