Contractor starts work restoring Grade I-listed railway building
Contractor KN Circet has started work to refurbish the Grade I-listed Old Curzon Street station in Birmingham, as part of the HS2 project. The building, designed by architect Philip Hardwick and opened in 1838, originally served as the Birmingham terminus for the London and Birmingham Railway Company line that connected to London’s Euston station.
Jetpack prototype for inspections unveiled
A new jetpack prototype could be used to tackle challenging construction tasks, according to its creators. Hollywood animatronics expert Matt Denton and Royal Navy commander Antony Quinn say the jetpack can be operated handsfree, to allow safer flights, and reconfigured as a heavy lift drone for remote operation.
Skanska supports development of new construction robot
Skanska has been working with technology companies to develop a prototype robotic platform that can navigate sites and carry out pre-programmed activities such as drilling at height. The Collaborative On-Site Construction Robot (COSCR) platform comprises a mobile base, site sensing technology and BIM-linked software systems.
Mott MacDonald plan to stabilise Hammersmith Bridge approved
A £6m plan devised by Mott MacDonald to stabilise Hammersmith Bridge in London has been approved by Hammersmith & Fulham Council. The 134-year-old cast iron structure has been closed to traffic amid concerns about its deterioration. Mott MacDonald’s alternative to the original stabilisation scheme by Pell Frischmann is expected to cost £24m less to implement.
BAM Construct UK suicide awareness video release
A powerful new video that aims to raise awareness around the issue of suicide among construction workers, produced with the support of BAM Construct UK, has been released. On The Edge urges construction workers not to ignore colleagues who they think may be experiencing mental ill-health, but to
talk to them and listen.
Tungsten mining waste made into aggregate
Materials supplier GRS has secured an exclusive deal to bring to market millions of tonnes of granite from British tungsten mining for use as construction aggregate. GRS has joined forces with Tungsten West, which operates Hemerdon tungsten-tin mine near Plympton, Devon, to sell high-quality secondary aggregate and transport it nationwide by sea and rail.
Ainscough lifts 38m bridge into London neighbourhood
Ainscough Crane Hire’s heavy cranes team has installed a new bridge at Sugar House Island, a canal-side neighbourhood in London. The 38m Matilda’s Bridge, built by Wood Beton, is a prefabricated, concrete and glulam structure. It was built in a factory in northern Italy and transported in large sections to the Sugar House Island development.
