Features

Rotating the UK’s biggest tunnel-borer 180 degrees is no mean feat – but it means only one machine is needed and the job will get done a lot quicker. Joshua Stein reports on the Silvertown Tunnel project Rotating the UK’s biggest tunnel-boring machine (TBM) 180 degrees may seem like a…

Everyone’s talking about social value. But with vague rules and measurements, is a lack of client knowledge the elephant in the room? Kristina Smith reports The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 came into force just over a decade ago in January 2013. The act requires public authorities to consider…

Keith Cooper asks how scaffolding specialists have managed to protect their profits, despite the headwinds of recent years From the outside, scaffolding firms seem as susceptible as any other construction specialist to the many challenges of recent years. The pandemic, huge hikes in the cost of materials and the chronic…

With a tight, city-centre location and listed status to deal with, scaffolding Manchester Town Hall has thrown up some unique challenges Scheme: Our Town Hall (Manchester Town Hall restoration and refurbishment) Client: Manchester City Council Main contractor: Lendlease Construction (Europe) Ltd Scaffolding contractor: Lyndon SGB Hoist contractor: Taylor’s Hoists Overall…

The Work at Height Regulations save lives and are hugely popular in the construction sector. But will moves to ‘sunset’ all EU laws dilute – or even destroy – them? Behind the innocuous-sounding ‘Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill’, lies the prospect of an assault by the government on…

With many subcontractors bitterly regretting the fixed-price contracts they signed before inflation spiralled, James Wilmore asks whether fluctuation clauses and advance payments will become the norm “Collaborative risk-sharing will be key to preserving industry resilience and capacity moving forward.” These were the words of the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) product…

As the investigation into the deaths of four men at a decommissioned power station enters its eighth year, Ian Weinfass speaks to some of those still affected by the tragedy and asks why the industry has received no guidance since Sadie Cresswell has been waiting for seven years to find…

Joshua Stein reveals the payment performance of the UK’s largest contractors – and asks whether it’s too easy for firms to manipulate the system Advertising sponsor   “If businesses or freelancers are owed a lot of money, their cashflow is affected. Unless they have a large amount of funds in…

When Construction News partnered with Speedy to survey readers and hold a panel discussion on the industry's response to environmental challenges, the consensus was clear – a lot more needs to be done An overwhelming majority of companies in the construction sector have pledged positive action on decarbonisation over the…

The Autumn Statement may have protected major-project spending in the short term, but difficult decisions lie ahead. By David Prosser If politics is a game of managing expectations, Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt pulled off a coup in November. For weeks in the build-up to the chancellor’s Autumn Statement, ministers…