Free COVID Tests for Construction Workers
Construction companies with more than 10 workers can order free lateral flow test (30 minute results) here before 12 April for twice-weekly testing.
Originally only available to companies with more than 250 employees, now available to smaller companies whose workers can’t work from home.
EMS’ beable social distancing bracelet trial at a large North London site coupled with testing has kept the site open, safe, and productive. Stay tuned for more updates soon!
Beable Saves Construction From COVID
Luckily, technology exists so Construction sites can stay open and take care of their workers with beable® Wearable which has been deployed at pilot stage at a large north London site to keep workers safe and productive; it facilitates physical distancing as well as interaction tracking. Developed by Electronic Media Services and funded by Innovate UK, the new technology has been well received and plans to rollout to further sites in Q2 this year are underway.
HS2 News
HS2 has shortlisted joint ventures Colas/Eiffage, Siemens/Costain, SSE Enterprise Contracting/Linxon/Arcadis & Contractor UK Power Networks Services to design & build high voltage power supply systems connecting power from the National Grid to 50 substations across 280km between London, Birmingham and Crewe.
In more HS2 news phase 1 of the project between London & Birmingham is delayed causing costs to overrun due to “issues with completing utilities diversions, postponed land acquisition and access during the first Covid-19 lockdown and slower than planned development of detailed designs by the main works contractors” according to transport minister Andrew Stephenson.
Connectivity For Road & Rail
For Road & Rail Connectivity, why not consider EMS i-MO OptiBond solution? Delivers fast / resilient aggregated 4G and / or fixed line services to site in days. The system is widely used on difficult to serve, mobile Road & Rail projects. See www.ems-imo.com
Free Construction Job Board
The Construction Talent Retention Scheme, a job board which matches jobs to workers in all kinds of construction roles will remain open until April 2022 for advertisers (construction businesses) and candidates. Run by the Construction Leaders Council, the scheme is currently promoting 1,700 live vacancies and has more than 1,600 candidates registered. So far usage to date has been mostly by SMEs promoting all kinds of roles in construction, saving money for businesses on recruitment costs. Interested employers or candidates can advertise positions or apply here.
Everton Stadium Build
In Toffee news, a new 53k capacity stadium to be built at Bramley-Moore Dock will be started early this summer under preferred contractor Laing O’Rourke. Initially the decision was delayed but Liverpool Council approved plans last month ready for the Toffees to take victory at Home in 2024-25 season. Go Everton!
760 Home Dorset Partnership
Vistry & Barratt Developments have joined forces to deliver 760 homes in Dorset, creating more than 2,000 jobs in the construction phase, and encouraging investment into the area. The scheme will include 120 affordable new homes, local community amenities & infrastructure including parks, cycle ways and footpaths located off the A35 near Bridport.