Breaking news
PPP Arbiter final costs for Tube Lines allows small increase to £4.46bn
PPP Arbiter Chris Bolt today set his final costs ruling for Tube Lines’ upgrade and maintenance contract for the Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly Lines - allowing an increase of £65M on his draft ruling to bring the figure to £4.46bn.
Costain to expand into consultancy and engineering design
Contractor Costain has unveiled an ambitious strategy to expand significantly in consultancy and engineering design in order to offer clients the “full life cycle” of services.
Scott Wilson grows on the back of international growth
Shares in consultant Scott Wilson rose sharply this morning on the back of a confident trading statement, which shows strong international growth.
New construction output shows first growth since 2008
New figures show that total new construction output in current prices, while still relatively low, has had its first quarter of growth since 2008 Q1.
'Jumping Lice' to keep Knotweed in check
The invasive Japanese knotweed plant affecting plant life across much of the UK is to be brought under control by the release of foreign “jumping plant lice”, it has been revealed.
NCE Exclusive
Defendant’s illness holds up corporate killing trial
A judge last week adjourned the first case to be tried under the Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007 until October because the director of the company charged needs “urgent and intensive” medical attention.
Chile quake takes out vital infrastructure
Engineers this week said that damage to vital infrastructure such as highways and airports would hamper Chile’s efforts to recover from a massive magnitude 8.8 earthquake that struck the nation on Saturday.
Spending cuts to hit small firms hard
Britain’s biggest civil engineering contractor Balfour Beatty last week warned that government calls for the industry to do more for less could send many smaller firms to the wall.
DfT slammed for poor Metronet management
MPs this week criticised the Department for Transport (DfT) for its “inadequate management and oversight” of Tube upgrade contractor Metronet which collapsed in 2007, costing the taxpayer up to £410M.
Councils told to save by selling buildings and sharing services
Ministers this week published a report setting out “10 decisive steps” that all councils must take to protect vital frontline services from public spending cuts.
Way out west: The Hong Kong rail project
Densely packed, narrow streets and a shortage of access points are some of the challenges facing MTR Corporation on Hong Kong’s West Island Line project. Andy Bolton reports.
Paul Sheffield: Kier's value hunter
After a 26 year career with contractor Kier, Paul Sheffield takes over as chief executive in April. Antony Oliver reports.
the big picture
First Olympic pumping station in operation
The Olympic Delivery Authority has this week announced the opening of an essential new utilities building in the Olympic Park. The Pudding Mill pumping station is the first in a series of infrastructure projects architects hope will become design landmarks. The design is by John Lyall Architects.
Risk survey
In the light of the new Bribery Act and the continued economic downturn, NCE is carrying out a survey of industry attitudes towards risk management.
The survey should take no more than 10 minutes. Click here to take survey. The results will be published in NCE in April.
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From the NCE archive
A road runs through the river: The new Tyne crossing
A trio of tunnelling techniques will come together to create the new Tyne Crossing near Newcastle. Alexandra Wynne reports.
Crossrail
Delivering Crossrail: Major project report
NCE presents its major project report on Crossrail - a comprehensive guide to the project featuring interviews with Crossrail chief executive Rob Holden and Crossrail chairman Terry Morgan.
Leader
Getting more from less: how to survive the recession
Delivering more for less is without question going to be the mantra for the civil engineering and construction industry over the next half decade - and perhaps beyond.
Special report
Site investigation spotlight: Eastlands, Manchester
May Gurney has spent part of one of the harshest winters on record carrying out investigation work across a site in Eastlands, Manchester using a variety of techniques.
Civic Trust Awards
The Architects Journal and New Civil Engineer have become the official Media Partner of the Civic Trust Awards, one of the longest standing Built Environment Award schemes in Europe.
