Costain has launched a research programme to see how construction innovation can be improved after work starts on site. 

Costain has linked up with law firm Pinsent Masons and the University of Cambridge to establish a research programme after securing funding from government body Innovate UK to improve construction innovation.

The Maximising Innovation Beyond Procurement and Contract Execution research will look at how contract terms affect ongoing innovation and how the supply chain can be encouraged to improve efficiency. 

Adam Golden, Legal Executive at Costain, said: “Under many current industry models, the potential for innovation diminishes as a project develops. “The aim of this research project is to identify the barriers to innovation and see what steps can be taken to reduce the uncertainty and risk related to innovation. “We will then be able to ensure that innovation is maintained throughout the whole life of a project.”

Mark Wray, Lead Technologist for the Built Environment at Innovate UK, said: “Within current contractual frameworks there is a degree of fear and uncertainty inside the supply chain with regard to innovation.

“Innovation by its very nature carries a degree of risk. Where collaborative innovations are undertaken and the desired result is not as expected, these relationships can become litigious. “What this project aims to do is essentially eradicate this reduction in the ability to innovate, ensuring that the opportunity is maintained throughout the whole life of the project.”

The starters’ flag has been raised on a date for construction to begin at the £315M Circuit of Wales race track after it passed its final planning obstacle.

A construction start date is set to be confirmed for the £315m Circuit of Wales after the new race track passed its final planning hurdle.

Backers of the project said they now have financing in place which is just completing due diligence.

The Heads of the Valley Development Company said: “Once these have been completed, the supporters of the project will be publicly announced and detailed construction timelines revealed.”

Spanish giant FCC and local civil engineer Alun Griffiths (Contractors) have been lined-up to build the scheme.

Work will transform transform 830 acres of Blaenau Gwent into an international motorsport circuit, technology park and training facility.

ISG has been reported as winning the £120M deal to build a new BBC Wales head office in Cardiff.

ISG is understood to have won the job to build a new BBC Wales headquarters in Cardiff city centre.

The 150,000 sq ft project is a major coup for the firm, which heard yesterday that work can now start early next month after a funding deal between the BBC, Legal & General and local developer Rightacres.

In another major contract win ISG this morning separately announced it had secured its third data centre project this year in Europe worth around £141m. ISG is better known to many construction professionals in Wales as Pearce – or ISG Pearce with offices in Bristol and Cardiff. It now positions itself as an international construction services company.

The BBC project next to Cardiff’s Millennium stadium is the first phase of a £400m investment by L&G in the 12-acre Cardiff city centre regeneration scheme designed by Foster + Partners.

BBC move will trigger one of the biggest regeneration projects ever seen in Cardiff

How the finished Central Square regeneration scheme will look

The Cardiff deal includes the acquisition by LGC of One Central Square, a 135,000 sq ft office being built by Willmott Dixon, which is due to reach practical completion in February 2016.

It also comprises the forward funding of Two Central Square – a 120,000 sq ft building which will be built in parallel with the BBC.  Both office buildings are experiencing strong occupier interest.

Paul McCarthy, Chief Executive of Rightacres, said: “Having Legal & General as our partner has rapidly accelerated the development of Central Square. They understand Cardiff and support its ambition to become one of Europe’s most liveable cities.  The regeneration of Central Square will hopefully play a key role in helping Cardiff achieve its ambitions.”

Tom Roberts, senior transactions manager at Legal & General Property, added:  “This is a significant milestone in the scheme’s exciting evolution and reflects the growing momentum that is gathering.  With strong occupier interest in the other buildings, we feel confident that we will be able to deliver this major urban regeneration scheme ahead of the timescales previously envisaged and act as a major positive boost to the city.”

Almost 1,200 staff will relocate from BBC Wales’ current site in Llandaff to central square in 2019.

Construction Enquirer: Article

Vattenfall’s Pen y Cymoedd Wind Energy Project is ready to start receiving turbine deliveries following the completion of more than 80km of site access tracks.

Joint venture partners Jones Bros and Balfour Beatty, which are delivering balance of plant and infrastructure services on behalf of wind farm developer Vattenfall, have completed work to construct new and upgrade existing site tracks.

Eryl Roberts, project manager for the joint venture, said: “The completion of the site access tracks is a welcome milestone, as the project is dictated by their progress and completion.

“Quality tracks are needed to access each turbine base location, and we can now move plant to all 76 of the project’s turbine locations.

“It’s been a challenging process, as the site has a variety of different ground conditions to contend with.

“Since starting work on the access tracks in April 2014, we’ve upgraded 50km of existing tracks and constructed a further 30km.”

The site tracks are constructed by laying a geotextile reinforcing layer on top of existing ground and vegetation. A layer of blasted rock is then built on top, ranging in 0.5m to 1.5m in depth, depending on the surface’s requirement.

A further capping layer of processed rock, approximately 150mm in depth, is then added to provide a smooth surface for turbine deliveries to be made on.

The tracks are at least 5m wide, with increased width at junctions and bends, and constructed to ensure they can withstand heavy plant and vehicles delivering wind turbine components.

Elsewhere on site, other aspects of the wind farm project are also nearing completion

Eryl said: “We have five more turbine pours to complete, and we have a few more weeks of cabling left in Central West area before we start cabling in the West – the last of four regions the project is divided into.”

Alistair Hinton, Construction Manager for Vattenfall, said: “Siemens, the turbine supplier tested the tracks with a trial run in September which was successful. 

"We are currently working to finish preparations ahead of the first delivery in mid-November. 

"We endeavor to keep the community informed using a number of methods, with our website being the first port of call for the most up to date information.”