New Civil Engineer
23 August 2012
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Aecom acquires Asian cost consultant KPK
Aecom has bought Asian cost consultant KPK to boost its own Davis Langdon cost consultancy arm’s international reach. -
Aecom expands in Africa
Consultant Aecom last week announced its acquisition of South Africa-based BKS, which it said “strengthens” its position in a “strategically important, high-growth market”. -
Aecom to oversee £1.4bn Istanbul scheme
Consultant Aecom has been appointed project manager for a $2.2bn (£1.4bn) hospital, residential and commercial scheme in Istanbul, Turkey. -
Alternative to landslide-prone A83 will be ready in 12 weeks
Targets defined by Transport Scotland’s newly established A83 taskforce includes the aim to have an alternative road to the landslide-hit Rest and be Thankful route built within 12 weeks. -
Beaminster Tunnel ground investigation work due to start
Environmental Scientifics Group was due to start work on a ground investigation of the slopes above the Beaminster Tunnel portal in Dorset as NCE went to press this week in a bid to stabilise the area and allow the structure on the A3066 to be reopened. -
BIM and the UK construction industry: meeting the government’s challenge one year on
One year on from the government’s decision to mandate the use of Level 2 Building Information Modelling (BIM) on all publicly procured projects by 2016, NCE joined forces with software provider Bentley in September 2012 to host a webinar to discuss the steps that the construction industry has taken - and still has to take - to prepare for the deadline. -
Branson calls on prime minister to intervene in West Coast rail deal
Sir Richard Branson has called on prime minister David Cameron to intervene in the row over the new West Coast Main Line franchise which has been awarded to FirstGroup. -
Clarke chooses President's apprentices for his 2012/2013 year in office
Incoming President, Barry Clarke, has chosen six young engineers to be his apprentices during his year in office. -
Connect Plus to hold supplier day for barrierless Dartford crossing
M25 upgrade and maintenance consortium Connect Plus is to hold a supplier day next week to set out its expectations from the supply chain with regards to its plans to create a barrierless toll at the Dartford Crossing. -
Consultant WYG puts Irish arm into liquidation
Consultant WYG has closed its loss-making Irish business and appointed Grant Thornton as liquidator. -
Contractors call for immediate funding for shovel-ready roads jobs
The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) has today called on government to provide immediate short-term funding to boost shovel-ready highway repair and maintenance work. -
Contractors call for water grid study
The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) has called for a feasibility study to consider options for bulk transfer of water across the UK. -
Costain reports 50% increase in pre-tax profits
Contractor Costain has started 2012 robustly reporting a 27% increase in infrastructure turnover from £219M for the first half of 2011 to £280M for the first six months of 2012 alongside a 50% increase in pre-tax profits from £10.1M to £15.4M, its interim results reveal today. -
Crossrail and Bentley launch Bim academy
Client Crossrail and software firm Bentley have launched the UK’s first dedicated Building Information Modelling (Bim) academy today. -
Crossrail: Supporting cast below the capital's streets
In the centre of London, Crossrail project teams are engaged in a major programme of compensation grouting. -
Cuadrilla seeks shale gas extension
Developer Cuadrilla is this week seeking a 36 month extension to shale gas exploration at its site in Lancashire. -
Exclusive surveys show industry declining to 2004 levels
Civil engineering contractors say they are facing an “increasingly bleak” future as the lack of opportunities for new work and the impact of government spending cuts bite. -
Fugro secures Mexican survey work
Fugro has been appointed by Mexico’s national oil company Pemex to carry out a major offshore high resolution geophysical and geotechnical survey. -
Geotechnical register expects 50% increase in applications next year
The UK Register of Ground Engineering Professionals (UK RoGEP) is expecting a 50% increase in applications in its upcoming second year, following a higher than expected number in its first year. -
Ground investigation starts for A77 upgrade
Transport Scotland has confirmed that Amey started work on the ground investigation for the A77 Symington and Bogend Toll improvements scheme today. -
Hendry replaced as energy minister
Charles Hendry was replaced yesterday by fellow Conservative MP John Hayes as energy minister in prime minister David Cameron’s reshuffle. -
Hochtief unveils new jack up vessel
Construction firm Hochtief has unveiled a new jack up vessel the Innovation yesterday in Bremerhaven, Germany as it targets major growth in the offshore wind farm sector. -
HS2 seeks designers for beyond London to Birmingham route
Scheme promoter HS2 Ltd is looking to appoint a number of engineering and environmental consultants to a new Professional Services Framework (PSF) for the second phase of the planned high speed rail network, it revealed yesterday. -
ICE media coverage increases
The ICE’s work to raise the profile of civil engineering and ensure the institution is seen as the “voice of infrastructure” gained momentum in the second quarter of 2012, with a total of 764 hits across print, online and broadcast media. -
Johnson slams Greening demotion over Heathrow
London mayor Boris Johnson has criticised prime minister David Cameron’s decision to switch Justine Greening from transport secretary to international development secretary, claiming it shows the government’s intent to expand Heathrow airport. -
Keller mixes it up at Murrayfield
Construction of the Murrayfield Stadium station on the new Edinburgh Tram scheme reached a milestone earlier this month with completion of ground improvement work by Keller Foundations. -
Landslide derails Lancaster train
Work is underway to stabilise a landslide that derailed a Northern Rail train close to St Bees station and also stranded a relief train sent to rescue the 102 passengers trapped aboard the derailed train. -
Letters: London 2012 showed how great we can be
I too was extremely proud that one of my heroes, Brunel, featured in the London 2012 opening ceremony (Comment, 9-16 August). More so as I was actually one of the volunteer performers in the Pandemonium segment that featured the transformation of the green and pleasant land into the bleak landscape of the industrial revolution. -
Lord Henry Chilver - a pioneer of engineering education
Lord Chilver died at the beginning of July. In addition to being a distinguished engineer, a politician and a member of the ICE for 65 years, his greatest mark will be left on educating the next generation of engineers, ensuring they have the right skills to deliver future infrastructure projects. -
Low carbon innovation fund open to applicants
The first phase of the Entrepreneurs Fund, part of a £35M fund announced earlier this year, is now open to applications, the government announced today. -
Military feel to 21st Capita Symonds Safety Lecture
A unique perspective on health and safety planning and process is promised later this month as General the Lord Dannatt, former head of the British Army, gives the 21st anniversary Capita Symonds Safety Lecture. -
Mouchel banks acquire firm from administrator
Mouchel Group’s banks – RBS, Lloyds Banking Group and Barclays – have acquired the troubled consultant from its administrator, it was revealed on Saturday. -
Mouchel falls into administration after latest battle for survival fails
Consultant Mouchel has fallen into administration today following a protracted battle by the firm to try return to health. -
MPs to scrutinise West Coast Main Line deal
MPs on the Public Accounts Committee are to scrutinise the government’s decision to award the 15-year West Coast Main Line franchise to First Group, it was revealed yesterday. -
MPs’ report urges greater collaboration with China on low carbon
Assisting China on low carbon development should be at the heart of government plans to tackle climate change and secure high-value business opportunities for UK firms, a report by MPs on the Energy and Climate Change Committee argues. -
New Australian centre targets geotechnical students
Growing demand for geotechnical engineers in Australia is the driving force behind the launch of an industry-supported geotechnical training ground at the University of Queensland (UQ) today. -
New Orleans Flood barriers made ready for Hurricane Isaac
The US Army Corps of Engineers yesterday operated and closed major structures within the Greater New Orleans Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS) in preparedness for the arrival of Hurricane Isaac. -
No.22 One Canada Square
The centrepiece of the Canary Wharf complex in east London - One Canada Square - was completed in August 1991 in the middle of a recession. -
Olympics chief gets Treasury role
London 2012 chief Paul Deighton has yesterday been appointed Treasury minister responsible for economic delivery as part of the government’s major reshuffle. -
Patrick McLoughlin replaces Justine Greening as transport secretary
Patrick McLoughlin has replaced Justine Greening as transport secretary in prime minister David Cameron’s first proper Cabinet reshuffle. -
Powering the Olympics
Infrastructure was one of the big success stories of the London 2012 Olympic Games. Antony Oliver speaks to global infrastructure technology firm GE director Tony Gale about the challenge of keeping the power on. -
Prominent Tory MP calls for Heathrow third runway rethink
Energy and Climate Change Select Committee chairman and Conservative MP Tim Yeo has called on prime minister David Cameron to rethink his position on a Heathrow third runway. -
Questions remain over West Coast rail cost savings
Details are still unclear as to how the award of a new 15-year West Coast rail franchise last week will produce some of the cost saving benefits identified by Sir Roy McNulty in his review of the rail industry published last year. -
Recycling plants may see new regulations for fire and building
Building Regulations and fire safety standards must be amended to force recycling plants to introduce fire suppression systems, a leading industry expert has told NCE in the aftermath of a major fire in London last week. -
Regional BIM hubs launched
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) has launched Building Information Modelling (BIM) Regional Hubs in partnership with the Government’s BIM Task Group. -
Rochester Cathedral conservation scheme appoints project manager
Focus Consultants has won a contract to act as buildings project manager on a £3M project to conserve and repair Rochester Cathedral. -
Safety inspectors target Yorkshire construction sites
Construction sites across Yorkshire will be targeted by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors in September as part of a crackdown on reducing death and injuries when working at height. -
Scottish public urged to voice opinions on offshore wind
Local communities are being encouraged to get involved in Scotland’s plans for offshore renewable energy, as a series of public meetings kick off over the coming weeks. -
Shortlist announced for British Construction Industry Awards
The short list of 38 UK and 6 International projects selected by the judges from over 100 entries in the 2012 British Construction Industry Awards has been announced. -
Spelman ousted as environment secretary
Environment secretary Caroline Spelman is to be replaced by Owen Paterson as part of the Prime Minister’s reshuffle, according to NCE sister magazine MRW. -
Top of the Class: the story so far...
Enter NCE’s Graduate Awards to win career changing opportunities, says David Hayward as he profiles our current graduate superstar. -
Vinci reaches financial close on Hounslow highways PFI
Hounslow Highways Services, a 50/50 joint venture of Vinci Concessions and Barclays Infrastructure Fund, has finalised the financing for the contract to repair and maintain the highways network in the Hounslow Borough of London.
