The main tunnel drive for the first major section of the Thames Tideway sewer has been completed. TBM Rachel will now be recovered from the Acton storm tank site Giant tunnel boring machine Rachel has completed its gentle uphill 7km … Continue reading →

Latest official construction output figures for July point to a continuing construction rebound. July output figures show industry continues on recovery path despite some concerns about orders Monthly construction output increased by nearly 18% in July keeping the recovery on … Continue reading →

Highways England has set out its plans for the next five years, including starting 12 new major roadbuilding projects. As part of his budget statement, the chancellor announced a £27.4bn budget for investment in England’s strategic road network between 2020 … Continue reading →

Former Clancy chief commercial officer Jon Loveday has been appointed new Director of Infrastructure, Enterprise and Growth at the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA). He will oversee project delivery on major projects like HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail. Loveday’s previous … Continue reading →

Chancellor Rishi Sunak continued to put construction at the heart of the coronavirus recovery with a £3bn green investment package to support around 140,000 jobs. A £1 billion programme will improve the energy efficiency of public sector buildings while £2bn … Continue reading →

Major contractors are now working on 73% of sites as the government renewed its call for construction to restart across the country. An update from trade body Build UK yesterday revealed the number of operational sites for its contractor members … Continue reading →

The government has postponed the introduction of the planned changes to the controversial IR35 legislation, which implements heavier tax burdens on freelancers and the self-employed. The new rules will now come into force on 6 April 2021, as opposed to … Continue reading →

BAM Nuttall and Ferrovial Agroman have been drafted in to strengthen the Kier and Eiffage joint venture preparing to start work on two civils packages worth nearly £2.5bn in the first phase of HS2. C2 and C3 contracts will cover … Continue reading →

Skanska is pulling out of the rail, highways and lighting maintenance markets to concentrate on core building and infrastructure construction. It has now begun the process of marketing its infrastructure services operations to potential buyers. Skanska said it would only consider bids that protect contract … Continue reading →

Looming changes to IR35 rules are causing widespread concern in construction. HMRC rules are due to change from April 6 making contractors liable for determining the tax status of off-payroll professionals. Major contractors have been auditing freelancers employed via personal … Continue reading →

Chancellor Sajid Javid is promising to review looming freelance tax rule changes which are causing widespread concern in construction. HMRC IR35 rules are due to change next April making contractors liable for determining the tax status of off-payroll professionals. Major … Continue reading →

The northern leg of HS2 could be scaled back, it has been reported. The Financial Times said that the Oakervee review is examining the possibility of axing phase 2b of the route from the East Midlands to Leeds and Sheffield. The review is assessing … Continue reading →