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One important difference being investigated by a NEDO team led by George Henderson of TGWU is the access aspect.Owing to the requirements of UK health and safety regulations, the Workington plant had to be fully scaffolded, an activity which absorbed 10 per cent of the total on-site man hours.At Columbia,…

Comment by John D Allen, Editor-in-ChiefReasons for big differences in productivity brought to light by comparative study of two process plants under construction - one at Workington in Cumbria and the other in Columbia, South Carolina - are now being investigated in detail by the NEDC construction industry sector group.The…

The building industry is being hurt by current economic policies in two sensitive spots, first its margins and second its markets. Everyone is now becoming worried about the persistence of high interest rates. The call for some easement of financial pressures is growing into a clamour. There is no justification…

The Channel Tunnel may be an Anglo-French project. But following the latest round of reshuffles and arguments, both key construction figures at the top of contractor Transmanche Link and client Eurotunnel are now from the United States. The newest arrival, John Neerhout, one of two executive vice-presidents of Bechtel, officially…

Civil engineers are giving the thumbs-up to the Government's latest ideas on the road network.The House of Commons Transport Committee's report Roads for the Future has been warmly welcomed by the Federation of Civil Engineering Contractors and the Institution of Civil Engineers.FCEC director general Ron Emery said: 'We are delighted…

Proposals for a £3,000 million-plus development on the Isle of Sheppey, originally sponsored by the collapsed Tudor Grange and Lionhope Group, have been given provisional outline planning consent by Swale District Council.Receiver for the company Touche Ross is still negotiating with a number of individual developers and developer consortia wishing…

Management contractor Kyle Stewart has told subcontractors at the troubled Bow Quarter housing project in east London to stop working on one half of the building. Kyle Stewart claims work on a further 208 flats is just being deferred until the client has approved it.But the subcontractors believe that the…

The future of Eurorail's plans to build a high-speed rail link between the Channel Tunnel and King's Cross now seems to rest on some public money being provided to spread the cost. The joint venture company of British Rail, Trafalgar House and BICC is understood to be lobbying Government to…

Rebels at the Institution of Civil Engineers are considering moves to frustrate proposed changes to the Institution's structure. Colin Reed, principal engineer at Halcrow and chairman of the Institution's southern local region, said this week his members are now deciding whether to call a special general meeting to condemn approval…

Homeowners are suffering from shoddy, expensive repairs being carried out by members of the building trade associations, according to a trading standards officer. The recent storms have led to a mass of complains.Now Dorset County Trading Standards Officer Peter Cobb is calling for the trade associations to throw out firms…